A Reminder for Bookkeepers
September is Wills Month in New Zealand – the perfect nudge to stop, take stock, and get the important stuff in order. Most people think about Wills in terms of houses, savings, and family assets. But as Bookkeepers, we know there’s another layer: your business.
Your bookkeeping business isn’t just spreadsheets and reconciliations – it’s your livelihood, your client relationships, and the systems you’ve built. Without a plan in place, what happens if life suddenly changes?
When there’s no plan in place
We’ve probably all heard of a small business owner who passed away without a Will. The grief for their family was enormous, but so was the confusion that followed. No one knew who legally owned the business. Client contracts were left in limbo. Bank accounts and software were locked with no access. Staff and customers were left waiting for answers that never came.
Sound familiar? In our bookkeeping world, we see the same pattern in a different form: when GST money gets spent instead of set aside, or when records aren’t kept properly, it causes stress later.
The lesson is simple – what isn’t organised now becomes chaos later.
Why Wills Month New Zealand matters for Bookkeepers
Wills Month is about more than personal assets – it’s about business continuity too. Your bookkeeping business has value. It’s an asset that needs protecting just like any other.
Ask yourself:
- Who could legally step in if something happened to me?
- Does anyone know how to access my software and client files?
- What happens to outstanding invoices, contracts, or even the business name?
It’s the same principle as handing over tidy, reconciled accounts instead of a shoebox of receipts. Clarity now saves stress later.
Don’t forget business continuity
Having a Will is one part of the picture – but for any business owner, business continuity is just as important. A continuity plan spells out how your bookkeeping business will keep running if you’re not able to. It’s about making sure clients aren’t left stranded and your family isn’t left scrambling.
A business continuity plan doesn’t have to be complicated. Even a short document that pulls together the essentials will give your clients and family confidence that there’s a plan to follow if the unexpected happens.
Taking action this September
This month is the perfect time to act. Have the conversations – with your family, with your clients, and with yourself. Encourage clients to think about their business continuity too. And make sure your own bookkeeping business is covered, just like your personal assets.
The good news? You don’t need to figure it out on your own. A lawyer can help you draft a Will that covers both personal and business matters. If you don’t already have one, you can find a lawyer through the New Zealand Law Society’s online directory
Order in business, order in life
Wills Month is really about peace of mind. As Bookkeepers, we spend our days bringing order to other people’s numbers. This September, let’s extend that same order to our own lives and businesses.
Here’s a practical checklist to get you started:
- Remind your clients that September is Wills Month
- Review your own Will – does it include your bookkeeping business?
- Put clear instructions in place so nothing gets lost in translation
Wills Month in New Zealand
At NZQBA, we talk a lot about keeping your business in order – not just for the day-to-day, but for the long haul. Membership gives you access to resources, community, and conversations that help you prepare for more than just tax time. Wills Month is a reminder that the same care you take with your clients’ numbers should extend to your own future too.
Being part of NZQBA means you don’t have to do it all alone – you’ve got a network of Bookkeepers in New Zealand and support to keep your business (and your life) in order, whatever comes next.
Whether you’re contracting, running your own business, or working in-house, NZQBA gives you access to practical resources, real-world strategies, and shared experiences to help you plan for continuity, protect your clients, and keep your bookkeeping business in order – today and for the future.