Results from the State of Play Survey Q4 2024
Each quarter, we survey Bookkeepers across New Zealand to track key trends and challenges in the profession. The latest report provides insights into business growth, client trends, service offerings, and industry challenges.
Below is a high-level summary of the findings:
Business Demographics
- 54% of Bookkeepers operated as sole traders, while 18% worked as employees or contractors.
- Client numbers varied, with 22% managing 1–5 clients and 16% handling over 100.
- 25% of respondents earned over $50,000 annually, but 18% reported earnings under $10,000.
- Managing workloads remained a top concern (53%), followed by client retention and pricing pressures.
Services Offered
- GST returns and Accounts Payable/Receivable remained the most common services (96%).
- Payroll and End-of-Month Reporting were also widely offered (84%).
- Only 26% of Bookkeepers introduced new services this quarter, with advisory and software implementation being the most common additions.
Client Demographics
- 58% of Bookkeepers saw a rise in client numbers, with SMEs continuing to dominate (91%).
The construction and professional services sectors remained the most served industries.
Cash flow struggles (70%) and rising business costs (66%) were the top challenges for clients.
Bookkeeping Employees/Contractors
- 35% had more than five years of experience, while 42% had one to five years.
- 87% found their workload manageable, though meeting deadlines and client communication remained key challenges (32%).
Professional Development
- 85% attended webinars, and 62% completed online courses.
- 68% wanted further skills development, particularly in compliance, marketing, and software tools.
Want to Dive Deeper?
For a full breakdown of the State of Play Survey Q4 2024 results and more detailed insights into the state of the bookkeeping profession, download the complete report below.
The next State of Play Survey will be for Q1, 2025. This will be conducted in April 2025.
