“Skills and a mix of solutions means we can adapt to whatever you need”
Welcome to Peak Chartered Accountants.
Our firm, based in Taumarunui but working with clients around the country (with a focus on the Ruapehu District and Bay of Plenty) has a simple premise – we want to provide you with piece of mind.
What does piece of mind mean? It means that we provide you with a service that leaves you to worry about what you do best while we do what we do best.
That means different things to different people, Which is why we take a partnership approach, customising our service to suit your needs.
We work with a range of clients which include SME business, Not-For-Profits, Farms, Maori Authorities and Schools.
We have a number of tools that we use to provide these services. Some of these are Xero, BankLink, SmartPayroll, IMS Payroll, Accomplish Cash Manager, Rural Cash Manager and Reckon One.
We’ve recently introduced a client portal which enables us to transfer information and reports easily – but also makes signing your accounts and tax returns electronically REALLY easy.
Our skills and mix of solutions mean we can adapt to what you want and need. We’re here to make your life easier. Team members are certified in Xero, Reckon One and BankLink.
Small and Medium Enterprise businesses are the backbone of the New Zealand economy. While we all love being our own boss – the “hats” a small business owner wears are endless. We are here to help you.
Our Team
Peter Topham CA PP
B Bus (Banking and Finance) GDip Chartered Accounting Director
Peter grew up in a family that owned and operated small businesses, and inherently understands the commitment it takes and the challenges that are faced. In fact, he spent a lot of time growing up in pubs owned by his family in central Sydney (including the Frisco at Woolloomooloo and the Lord Nelson in the Rocks), with a side trip to Young (cherry town) in rural NSW.
He spent 15 years working in the banking sector in Sydney, including working with Westpac as a commercial banking manager and policy analyst in Group Credit Policy (head office). As a commercial banking manager his portfolio of clients included SMEs and larger corporates. His Bachelor of Business (Banking and Financing) was achieved while working with Westpac, and he was awarded the prize for top student in his degree.
Looking for career advancement he moved to Wellington with his family to become National Bank’s Manager of Operations and Support for DirectLink for five years before the family relocated to Taumarunui with his family and taking on a senior management role with King Country Energy (which at that time was responsible for IT, billing and customer services for three energy businesses in the Todd Energy portfolio).
He is now a Chartered Accountant with a Certificate of Public Practice.
Anne Topham CA PP
BMS (Hons) Director
Anne grew up on a sheep and beef farm in Waotu (southwest of Putaruru) – and as a member of a farming family spent time out on the farm with docking, shearing, lambing, drafting, feeding out and grubbing lots and lots of thistles! She attended the local primary school and Putaruru High School (clocking up many hours on the school bus). A bit of a nerd she did two maths and three science subjects in her seventh form.
From there she went to Waikato University, changing tack and completing a Bachelor of Management Studies with a major in Accounting, which was awarded with Honours. Her university hall year book has the current assistant All Black Coach nominating her for All Black captain!
While at university Anne started work with Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co (now KPMG) in their audit team in Hamilton. Eighteen months later she started working with them in Sydney where she travelled around the city working on a variety of audits. Deciding that she preferred to be doing the work, rather than checking others work, she moved into the corporate world. Starting with Hooker Corporation (a top 50 listed company) as an assistant accountant, she worked her way to being a divisional accountant and finished as group management accountant.
From there she moved to J P Morgan and became familiar with accounting for treasury products, international transfer pricing and how to get audit clearance in 3 days on a 31 December balance date (it involved working New Year's Day!). Her time with them through the late 80s and early 90s gave her an insight into financial markets – as well as some fantastic venues for work Christmas parties and travel to New York, London and Tokyo!
Anne is a strong believer in continuous improvement – that we need to be constantly looking at how to do things better for our clients – both in terms of what we deliver and how we deliver it. Her financial reporting skills and background means that she has been involved in project work at Ruapehu District Council as well as with other clients who have specialised financial reporting requirements. She works with a wide variety of clients – and will often be heard asking them “what are you trying to achieve?”.
John Goldsworthy
B Bus (Accounting) Senior Client Manager
John is a local Taumarunui boy. After finishing high school, he has been a supermarket department manager at New World, and is a qualified electrician! No, we don’t hire him out as an electrician – but it is obvious that he enjoys a challenge and doesn’t like being idle recently completing his Bachelor Of Business while working full-time. Not surprisingly, he is currently enjoying a break without studying.
He works with a range of clients, including assisting Peter with the Māori Authority clients and schools. He is uniquely positioned to support our "tradie" clients and prides himself on the care he takes of his clients.
Jonathan Lane
Senior Accountant
Jonathan has an extensive background in accounting and tax, both in Australia and New Zealand. He is invaluable on quiz teams, and is a trustee on the Avonlea Charitable Trust Board.
Sandra Smit
Client Services (Accounting)
Sandra can be found working on GST and annual accounts, giving clients a friendly “hurry up” as required. She has been in business herself, as well as being a share-milker, and understands the challenges small businesses and farmers have.
Anna Harrison
Client Services (Accounting)
Anna looks after our tax desk as well as supporting clients with their administration. She grew up in the Ohakune area and has a background in the customer service and hospitality industry. In her spare time she is raising calves and riding her horse.
Carla Benefield
Client Services (PA and Maori Secretarial Services)
Carla is PA to Anne and Peter and provides secretarial support to Maori authorities. Her background in banking, fundraising, school governance and social work gives her a unique skill set. She is currently on the Avonlea Charitable Trust Board and president of Taumarunui Toastmasters.
Katy Bolten
Client Services (Payroll)
Katy looks after our extensive payroll service which is completed using IMS Payroll and SmartPayroll. She also does some other client and administrative support work. You may have seen her on stage at the Little Theatre.!
Evelynne Keenan
Client Services (Maori Authority Administration)
Looking after Maori Authority share registers, Evelynne is our primary contact for our Maori Authority client shareholders, Evelynne looks after their share registers. She also provides administrative and bookkeeping services, including GST and payroll.
Jessie Chapman
Client Services
Jessie works part-time supporting clients with GST and on Xero and a variety of other roles around the team. She has a strong administration background (including with an Iwi organisation) and was last seen at the BNZ in Taumarunui.
Judith DeAth
Client Services / Administration
Judith is responsible for our internal office administration, including invoicing and credit control and managing the database. She also uses her administration and self-employment background as a contract milker to support clients.
