| 19 T T Karen Phelps Helping small businesses to thrive Cahill Accounting directors Felicity Hill, left, and Lisa Gotlieb - helping owner-operator businesses navigate the challenges of scale. Cahill Accounting - Auckland Business Awards REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Less than two years after starting, boutique accounting firm Cahill Accounting was named a finalist in the Best Emerging Business category at the 2026 2degrees Auckland Business Awards. Directors Felicity Hill and Lisa Gotlieb say their success has come from having built the firm around a model that has an emphasis on helping owner-operator businesses navigate the challenges of scale. “It is precisely the segment that is most under-served by the New Zealand accounting profession — too large for sole operators and often overlooked by larger firms that prioritise volume over relationship depth,” says Felicity. “The premise behind Cahill Accounting is that growing businesses need a strategic partner who understands the commercial realities of running a business and is genuinely invested in helping them succeed.” Since being founded in Ponsonby in August 2024, Cahill Accounting has since grown to a team of 14 and works with owner-operated businesses across a range of industries including construction, professional services, creative industries, retail and property. The firm provides traditional accounting and tax services alongside a growing range of advisory services including cash flow forecasting, management reporting, business coaching, board advisory, virtual CFO services, strategic planning and business valuations. Lisa says this combination is central to what differentiates Cahill Accounting from both larger accounting firms and smaller practices. “We combine the credibility and technical expertise of Chartered Accountants with the responsiveness and personal service of a boutique firm,” says Lisa. “Our focus is not simply on producing the accounts. It is on understanding what the numbers are telling us and helping our clients act on that information.” Cahill Accounting’s team brings experience from Big Four accounting firms, international commercial roles and SME advisory work in New Zealand and Asia. Lisa and Felicity say this breadth means it can bring both technical accounting knowledge and practical commercial understanding to its clients. “Cahill has attracted and retained high-quality people by offering something large firms cannot: direct client relationships, genuine advisory work and a culture of autonomy and trust. Staff retention has been strong, which directly supports client relationship continuity and quality,” says Felicity. Let us take care of the people, so you can focus on growing your business! CONTACT US NOW FOR A FREE CONSULTATION Your of HRexperts team sarah@freerangehr.nz freerangehr.nz HR Support & Advice Employment Relations & Compliance Leadership Coaching Recruitment Employment Hero Implementation Strategic People & Culture Support Technology is also an important part of its approach. Cahill operates on Xero and has invested in cloud-based practice management and workpaper systems using technology to improve efficiency and give clients greater visibility over their financial information. However, Felicity says technology is intended to support rather than replace relationships. “Technology should make accounting more useful, not more impersonal,” she says. “We use it to give clients timely information and improve the way we work but the relationship and the conversations around the numbers remain at the heart of what we do.” The business has experienced significant growth since its launch with much of its new business coming through referrals from existing clients, professional networks and the Auckland business community. Lisa says the firm has been particularly encouraged by the willingness of clients to seek deeper involvement from its team. “One of the things that has surprised us is how quickly clients move from compliance into broader advisory relationships,” she says. “Once they experience commercially informed advice and see the value it can bring to their business, they often want us more involved.” The pair says the Best Emerging Business finalist recognition comes as the firm enters its next phase, with continued investment in its people, technology and advisory services. “We want to raise the bar for what businesses can expect from their accountant.”
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