2025 Bookkeeping Awards
Welcome to the 2025 NZQBA Bookkeeping Awards! These awards give you the opportunity to shine within the bookkeeping industry. Entering allows you to showcase your skills, dedication, and contributions to the profession.
The awards spotlight the best in the field, recognising outstanding bookkeepers, bookkeeping businesses, and employees. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an emerging talent, you have the chance to stand out.
Exclusive to NZQBA Members
The NZQBA Annual Bookkeeping Awards are exclusively for members. To join and participate, download our membership info pack today.
INDIVIDUAL
Bookkeeper of the Year
Recognising excellence in bookkeeping, this award celebrates NZQBA members who demonstrate outstanding skills, client service, leadership, and professional development.
- Demonstrates excellence in bookkeeping skills and practices.
- Provides outstanding service to clients and significantly contributes to their business success.
- Shows continuous professional development and stays updated with industry standards and regulations.
- Exhibits leadership qualities and mentors other bookkeepers or staff.
- Active involvement in the bookkeeping community and participation in NZQBA events.
Eligibility: Open to all NZQBA Qualified Bookkeeper and Certified Bookkeeper members.
Nomination: Self-nomination
Submission Requirements:
- Completed nomination form.
- A maximum 1,000-word statement demonstrating how the nominee meets the criteria.
- Evidence of professional development (certificates, course completions, etc.).
- Any additional supporting documents or testimonials.
BUSINESS
Bookkeeping Business of the Year
Recognising Bookkeeping businesses that demonstrate outstanding growth, client satisfaction, innovation, staff development, and community contribution, this award is open to NZQBA member businesses with a proven track record of excellence.
- Demonstrates exceptional business growth and development in the bookkeeping industry.
- Provides high-quality services to clients and achieves high client satisfaction.
- Implements innovative practices and technologies to enhance service delivery.
- Encourages staff professional development and maintains a positive workplace culture.
- Contributes to the local community and supports industry development.
Eligibility: Open to all NZQBA member businesses.
Nomination: Can be self-nominated or nominated by clients, employees, or business partners.
Submission Requirements:
- Completed nomination form.
- A maximum 1,500-word statement demonstrating how the business meets the criteria.
- Client testimonials and case studies showcasing service quality and impact.
- Evidence of innovative practices and technology implementation.
- Proof of staff professional development and positive workplace culture.
- Any additional supporting documents or testimonials.
INDIVIDUAL
Employee of the Year
Recognising employees who demonstrate exceptional performance, client support, continuous learning, and leadership, the Employee of the Year Award is open to all NZQBA members who are employed – click to learn more about nomination criteria and submission guidelines.
- Demonstrates exceptional performance and dedication in their role.
- Provides outstanding support to clients and contributes to their success.
- Shows a commitment to professional development and continuous learning.
- Exhibits teamwork, leadership, and a positive attitude in the workplace.
- Actively contributes to the company’s goals and community initiatives.
Eligibility: Open to all NZQBA members who are currently employed in roles providing bookkeeping services or software support.
Nomination: Can be self-nominated or be nominated by an employer or colleague.
Submission Requirements:
- Completed nomination form.
- A maximum 1,000-word statement demonstrating how the nominee meets the criteria.
- Evidence of professional development and training.
- Any additional supporting documents or testimonials.
Meet the Judges
Our judging panel consists of experienced professionals, each a leader in their field. Each judge is dedicated to a fair and thorough evaluation of every entry.
They will assess submissions based on the criteria, including professional achievements, innovation, and overall industry impact. Their diverse perspectives ensure a robust and comprehensive awards process. Their expertise guarantees that the most deserving candidates are recognised.
Heidi Seal
eidi Seal is a Senior Operations Consultant who combines her finance and operations expertise with a passion for systems, processes, and problem solving to help people build great businesses, while enjoying caravanning, surfing, skiing, and good food in her spare time.
Irene Bennetts
Irene is the CEO and Founder of Admin Army, a Master Bookkeeper and Chartered Director who blends operational oversight, client growth, and team culture with a love of Avocados, Harry Potter, Lego, and countryside adventures with her dog Gryff.
Karin Horen
Karin is a mindset coach, author, and community leader who empowers women and communities through resilience, connection, and leadership, drawing on her background in program development and her own journey as a two-time breast cancer survivor.
Commonly Asked Questions
- Choose Your Category: Review the criteria and choose the category that best fits your achievements or nominate someone who stands out.
- Prepare Your Submission: Gather all required documents, including your nomination form, statements, evidence, and any supporting materials.
- Submit Your Entry: Complete the online entry form and upload your submission by Sunday, 21 September 2025.
- Recognition: Stand out in the industry and gain recognition from your peers and clients.
- Credibility: Enhance your professional reputation by being acknowledged by the NZQBA.
- Inspiration: Inspire others by sharing your journey and achievements.
At NZQBA, we ensure a fair and thorough evaluation of all entries by using a weighted judging process. Here’s how it works:
Weighted Criteria
Each award category has specific criteria that judges use to assess each entry. Not all criteria are equally weighted; some aspects of your submission may carry more importance in the final score. For example:
- Bookkeeper of the Year: Professional development may be weighted more heavily than community involvement.
- Bookkeeping Business of the Year: Client satisfaction and service quality might have a higher weighting compared to innovative practices.
Scoring System
- Scoring: Each criterion is scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest score.
- Weighting: The score for each criterion is multiplied by its designated weight to reflect its importance.
- Total Score: The total score for each submission is calculated by summing the weighted scores for all criteria. This ensures that the final decision is based on a balanced consideration of all key aspects.
Transparency and Fairness
Our weighted judging process is designed to be transparent and fair, ensuring that each submission is evaluated on its merits according to the established criteria. This approach allows for a nuanced assessment that considers the various strengths of each nominee.
For any inquiries regarding the awards or the submission process, please contact us at info@nzqba.co.nz.