"Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity — not a threat." - Steve Jobs

Hi there

Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter!

In this month, we cover a mix of updates and insights to help you stay informed and ahead of the game — from important changes when selling a property held in a trust, to some of the Xero’s new updates, to understanding your revenue drivers for stronger business planning. We’ll also explore how AI is already helping small businesses work smarter.

Whether you’re making strategic decisions or looking for fresh ways to streamline your operations, we’re here to help you turn information into action.

Selling a Property Held in a Trust? Here’s What’s Changing

For many Kiwi families and business owners, using a trust to hold property has been a smart way to protect wealth and support long-term financial goals. But the current anti-money laundering (AML) rules in New Zealand have added a high level of extra bureaucracy to the process of selling a house that’s held in a trust.

In a move to simplify the process, the Government has announced plans to simplify the AML due diligence process for low-risk trust property sales — aiming to remove unnecessary admin while still managing genuine risk.

Important Xero Updates

Xero + Syft

Xero has recently acquired Syft, a leading analytics and reporting tool. With Syft’s data analytics now being integrated into Xero, you’ll have even more tools to help you understand your numbers, make confident decisions and grow your business. 

Read more: Xero to acquire Syft to enhance reporting and insights capability

We’ll be sharing more soon as we bring Syft into our toolkit — but if you’d like to be one of the first to explore how it could work for your business, get in touch.

Attention to Xero Subscribers

By now, you may have heard from us about the Xero Pricing and Plans changing over the course of this year - with the final migration happening on 1st September. 

If you would like further details around any of the new plans or new pricing, please get in touch.

How Understanding Revenue Drivers Can Future-Proof Your Business

We work with businesses across New Zealand to help them understand their numbers and make confident decisions. By identifying your revenue drivers, we can help you:

• Improve profitability
• Streamline your operations
• Focus your marketing efforts
• Plan for long-term growth

We can include this in your Annual Accounts Review Meeting — it’s a great time to dig into your numbers and explore what’s driving your income. If your review’s already done and you’re still keen to chat about your revenue drivers, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Client Manager.

AI in Action: How Small Businesses Can Work Smarter, Not Harder

AI is no longer just hype — it’s already transforming how businesses operate across New Zealand. With over a third of SMEs adopting or exploring AI tools and the government launching an AI Strategy, it’s clear that automation and efficiency are top priorities.

So, while AI might feel like the “new kid on the block”, it’s already proving to be a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes.

At DVA, we see AI as an opportunity, not a threat. The question isn’t if it will impact the way you work, but how you can use it to your advantage.

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