The last time I visited a friend, his kitchen table was piled high with receipts, ledgers, and an alarming array of colour-coded sticky notes. He told me he had decided to take on the noble task of doing his own bookkeeping for a side hustle.
After a week of sleepless nights, mismatched numbers, and a near-meltdown, he threw in the towel. He confessed he had no idea what he was doing and was losing money fast.
His DIY bookkeeping disaster got me thinking about others who find themselves in similar bookkeeping situations. So, I had some help from the rest of the Auckland magazine team in looking for reliable bookkeepers in Auckland.
After interviewing several bookkeepers and their clients, here’s who made it onto our list of the best bookkeepers in Auckland!
How much does it cost to get bookkeeping done in Auckland?
It costs at least 300 NZD per month to get basic bookkeeping done in Auckland.
This price is just an estimate. The price will vary depending on the services you require and the bookkeeper.
How We Chose
1. On Task Bookkeeping Ltd
Contact Details: +64 21 026 17677
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 5 PM
On Task Bookkeeping is pretty much the go-to for trade business bookkeeping.
They’re Certified Profit First Professionals with Profit First Australia NZ. They focus exclusively on Xero, which works great for many businesses we spoke to.
The standout feature for many is their job management system setup. Clients said it helped them keep everything running smoothly, from invoicing to managing cash flow. They also mentioned not having to worry about being short on materials or taxes anymore because of it.
Several clients who run construction companies love the flexibility of the service. They love being able to check their finances on-site, thanks to the mobile solutions that make managing their business so much easier.
That said, some people did wish there was more hands-on help with complicated tax regulations.
Pros
- Specialised for trades businesses
- Certified Profit First Professionals
- Xero-focused
- Effective job management system
- Streamlined invoicing
- Mobile-friendly
Cons
- Limited hands-on tax support
Would highly recommend them to anyone with a business
“I can’t believe I haven’t made a review on here yet. On Task Bookkeeping is simply the best thing I have ever done for my business. I couldn’t recommend anyone more highly. Verena and Susan have become part of our team. They are a true partner. Would highly recommend them to anyone with a business.”
– Joseph Marinovic, Google Reviews
Their work is faultless and saves us time and money
“Excellent service. Any questions – they are happy to help. Their work is faultless and saves us time and money. From preparing paperwork and information for the end of year tax reports to paying wages and all the help and advice in between.”
– Bruce Cornelius, Google Reviews
2. Better Bookkeepers Auckland
Contact Details: +64 274 188 421
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 9 AM to 5 PM
- Friday – 9 AM to 12 PM
If you’re a small business owner in Auckland looking for a dependable bookkeeper, Sandi of Better Bookkeepers Auckland could be exactly what you need. She removes a lot of pressure off small business owners trying to meet IRD requirements.
Many of the firm’s clients said Sandi stepped in and learned their system quickly when some of their staff was out for a holiday, sick, or on maternity leave. They also praised her for being thorough in checking bank statements and supplier statements during bank reconciliation.
Clients appreciated that she verifies payables and gives them a heads-up before bills are due so they can better plan their payments. They also loved how her clear explanations of opportunities and risks helped them grasp their finances better.
Sandi even helps with credit control—she’s not shy about making uncomfortable calls to customers with overdue invoices.
Still, a few mentioned that the initial setup and transition took a little time, but they agreed it was worth it in the long run.
Pros
- Adaptable to different accounting systems
- Thorough in reconciling bank statements
- Proactive in verifying payables
- Provides payment reminders
- Clear explanations of financial opportunities
- Handles credit control effectively
Cons
- Initial setup can take time
I have found her a real asset to us
“Sandi has contracted to the Pacific Rainbow Games Trust for over a year and has always provided efficient and accurate book keeping services. She is friendly, always willing to help and I have found her a real asset to us as a new and growing organisation.
Sandi learnt the role quickly, covered it well
Sandi Kerr of Better Bookkeepers did a locum for us to cover the absence of our Administration & Accounting Support person for 7 weeks. Sandi learnt the role quickly, covered it well within the limited hours she had available, and kept the ledgers in order. She also made some process improvements for us. As a bonus, Sandi fitted in well with our team and provided some humour and fresh perspectives on life. I would recommend Sandi to other SME’s in similar need.
3. Auckland Bookkeepers
Address: Remuera, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact Details: +64 9 529 4453
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 5 PM
From what we’ve heard, Auckland Bookkeepers is best for small and medium-sized businesses that have trouble keeping their books in check. Many appreciated the clear and straightforward approach these bookkeepers take to financial reporting.
Clients said they actually help you make sense of your finances and feel in control of where your money is going. They also have a try-for-a-month guarantee—if you don’t like them, you’ll get your money back!
Others liked how meticulous their bank reconciliations were. Auckland Bookkeepers manages to chase down every little transaction, even the sneaky ones that always seem to slip through the cracks.
Their payroll management got good remarks too. They take care of everything from employee queries to leave management.
However, a couple of clients found her guidance in setting up Xero lacking. A few mentioned they were still confused after their consultations.
Pros
- Straightforward financial reporting
- Helpful in understanding finances
- Meticulous bank reconciliations
- Comprehensive payroll management
- Try-for-a-month guarantee
Cons
- Limited Xero setup guidance
Duncan has been a pleasure to work with over the years
“Highly recommend Auckland Bookkeepers, Duncan has been a pleasure to work with over the years and has really helped steer my business in the right direction. Reliable and affordable Auckland Bookkeepers are a great choice!”
Never a hassle and always quality work
“I have worked with Auckland Bookkeepers for a few years now, never a hassle and always quality work. Wouldn’t hesitate in recommending them!”
4. The Bookie
Address: 6 Alton Terrace, Pakuranga Heights, Auckland 2010, New Zealand
Contact Details: +64 210 239 3466
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Noeline from The Bookie brings over 20 years of experience to the table. Business owners rave about how she’s up-to-date with cloud and desk-based systems like MYOB and Xero.
People love how she can handle everything, including invoicing, bill payments, and chasing overdue payments. She can even handle taxes like GST and PAYE!
Many reported that they no longer lose sleep over payroll and tax filings. Noeline takes care of it all, ensuring compliance with the IRD and other government bodies.
Noeline also offers additional services like account rescue work and health checks. Several clients mentioned that their accountant’s fees even dropped since everything was perfectly organised by tax time.
Another highlight is how she sends regular, analysed financial reports and keeps an eagle eye for inconsistencies. Plus, many find Noeline’s availability to answer queries super helpful.
A slight downside, as mentioned by a few, is that she can sometimes work a little slowly.
Pros
- Over 20 years in accounting
- Handles various accounting tasks
- Reduces accounting costs
- Provides regular financial reports
- Easily available for queries
Cons
- Works a little slow
Noeline is an absolute pleasure to work with
“Noeline is an absolute pleasure to work with – I was feeling anxious about the state of my books and she came in and cleaned everything up so quickly which meant I could relax and get back to just running my business. She is prompt, lovely to deal with and super on to it and I would highly recommend her to anyone. Thank you Noeline for always going above & beyond.”
– Deanna Yang, Google Reviews
She always goes the extra mile
“Noeline has been an absolute superstar. As a new business owner she has got my books in tip top shape. She always goes the extra mile and is a real pleasure to deal with. What’s really great is she takes the extra time to explain things to me, so I understand what’s going on. Highly recommended.”
– Ben Paul, Google Reviews
5. Absolute Bookkeeping Services Limited
Address: 91 Sabulite Road, Kelston, Auckland 0602, New Zealand
Contact Details: +64 21 121 5781
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Kate of Absolute Bookkeeper specialises in cloud-based services, but she also handles a variety of accounting and payroll systems. Although she primarily works with Xero, she can also work with Workflow Max, Actionstep, and Xtracta.
She’s a great resource for one-off queries or quick checks on your accounts, providing a sense of relief for many business owners when they first handed over their bookkeeping to her.
Clients frequently highlighted Kate’s efficiency with data entry, minute-taking, and transcription.
Many also loved how she could guide them through Xero setups and training.
Her cloud-based solutions also received high praise. Plus, Kate’s familiarity with various systems means she can tailor their service to exactly what you need.
However, a few of her clients mentioned that her rapid pace sometimes led to minor errors in data entry. They did mention though that these were always promptly corrected without any fuss.
Pros
- Cloud-based expertise
- Versatile services
- Quick turnaround
Cons
- Occasional data entry errors
Kate is the person you want
“I can’t recommend Kate at Absolute Bookkeeping highly enough! Her hard work, attention to detail, and dedication are second to none. Kate has consistently gone above and beyond, ensuring that every financial record is handled with precision and care. Her professionalism and proactive approach make her an invaluable asset to our business. If you’re looking for someone who is not only diligent but also a true expert in bookkeeping, Kate is the person you want. Kate manages all of our financials and we work together closely on a daily basis.”
– Elizabeth Hart Google Review
She’s incredibly professional
“Kate from Absolute Bookkeeping Services has been looking after our company for over a year now, and we couldn’t be happier with her services. She’s incredibly professional, reliable, and makes everything so easy to manage. Highly recommend her and her team!”
– Andy Barker Google Review