The concept has been appropriately named Knowledge Shop © and was developed to assist accounting advisers to the small and medium-sized business community. Members pay one fee per month ($330 at the time of writing) and there is no minimum sign up period or sign up contract. In return all staff of the member organisation can access an attractive accounting support package, including;

• Access to quality accounting professionals – they will answer member queries within 24 hours on all technical aspects of accounting, including tax, audit and valuations as well as practice management queries such as human resources (and there is no limit on the number of queries!).
• 24-hour web based (log on) access to quality working papers, precedents, checklists and models.
• Monthly member and client newsletters – members can save time and money by sending the newsletter straight onto clients using their own letterhead.
• Quarterly face-to-face training sessions (in Auckland only) - covering technical, business consulting and practice management issues. Members can send two staff per session free of charge and each session qualifies as CPD hours for ICANZ purposes. (Do the sums and you will see that the saving on this service alone covers the subscription costs) 
• Access to an international referral network enabling members to assist clients anywhere their business takes them.

Who better to assist accountants in managing their business and providing accurate technical advice to clients, than other accountants?  Current members, mostly Chartered Accounting practices, have described Knowledge Shop as ‘having a big brother on tap’. Those in the commercial world may also find access to this level of quality accounting precedents beneficial.

For more information on how it works and how to become a member, take a look at the Knowledge Shop website at www.knowledgeshop.co.nz. More information on Hayes Knight can be found at www.hayesknight.co.nz or you are welcome to contact us at Phoenix.