BB&S - Barr Burgess and Stewart

We specialise in helping you.

We deliver business advisory and accounting services, by fully qualified Chartered Accountants with a focus on people not numbers.

About us

Leveraging the past to focus on the future

Between 1930 - 1982 Barr Burgess and Stewart was one of Dunedin's most established and respected accounting practices. Through various mergers and time the name was sadly replaced, however the 'client first' principles remained.

In 2018, Richard and Christine took the opportunity to reestablish this incredible Otago brand and all it stood for - reigniting our passion for clients and commitment to helping businesses grow.

BB&S has a focus on

Technology

enabling businesses to leverage information quickly to make better businesses decisions

Commerciality

helping established businesses achieve what has to be done and support them with sound business advice to take them forward

Start Ups

providing expertise and experience to help new businesses succeed and grow

Services

Your business navigator

Let's be honest, running a business is getting more complex. Navigating the market, keeping up with your customer's changing needs, let alone managing compliance, tax and accounting regulations... it's tough. You need information that allows you to make informed decisions, plan ahead and focus on opportunities. Leave some of this stress to us, tailoring our technology tools, advice and team to your needs and ambitions. We love what we do and want you to succeed.

We enjoy what we do and want to share our knowledge and enthusiasm with you with structure and strategy advice.

Tax planning and compliance

Yes, its complex. Lucky for you we know the ins and outs and you can be confident knowing it's all taken care of for you.

Start Up

We can help you every step of the way as you turn your vision into a viable business proposition. Regulations, investors, governance, we'll help you focus on what's important at the right time.

Cloud technology

It seems everything is 'smart' or 'in the Cloud' these days and your business assets shouldn't be any different. We can help share tools that will make your life easier.

Financial reporting and compliance

We embrace innovation, technology and think differently to bring your reporting to life and make information more exciting.

Improving profitability

We can help your successful business become even more successful by focusing on what's going to give you more 'bang for your buck'.

Capital structure and cashflow management

Debt vs Equity, it's a big decision. We work through the options for your business to help make sure you are 'always in the black'.

Succession planning

Change is inevitable and everyone leaves their business one day. We help you identify and develop new leaders to make these transitions a success.

Business valuations

Knowing the value of your business is vital for when potential buyers come along and the timing is right for you to sell. We can help you get the best price for your efforts.

Strategy & growth

The probability of achieving profitable growth is heightened when you have a clear growth strategy. Let us work with you to design and to execute that strategy.

Software

Having the right tools at your fingertips allows you to make quick, informed decisions for your business moving forward.

Xero

As a Platinum Partner we're proud to be able to leverage Xero's incredible tools. We're also committed to keeping up to date with wider insights and ideas that we can then share with you.
Figured

Working hand in hand with Xero, Figured is a simple and easy to use farm management software that helps us track your livestock, crops, production, budgets and forecasts.

Our People

Real people with real experience, helping real people

The BB&S team are a diverse and talented group of professionals. If numbers aren't your thing, that's ok. We know how to get into the detail of the numbers and extract what you need to know.

We have experience to know what is important, accounting, tax and IT, also we can leverage our diverse backgrounds and interests - agriculture, manufacturing, management, marketing, surfing, rugby and stockcars.

We know that each client needs tailored advice, at a personal and business level. This is where the BB&S team comes to life, we bring in the right people, with the right strengths at the right time.

Click on a person below to learn more about them.



Christine McNamara Managing Director (03) 470-3626 christine@bbas.co.nz Christine leads our team at BB&S. She is passionate about developing both her clients and her team. Her ability to bring to life financial statements and tax returns is legendary. Better yet, she values building long term relationships with her clients. She’s come a long way since her dairy farm days in Invercargill, going on to help run her family motel and broadening her advice to clients across diverse sectors, such as a large ski field, a renowned chocolate brand and a large local charitable trust, to name a few. While her professional life is a key part of who Christine is, equally important to her are her happy little daughter Danica and her boisterous British bulldog Alan who keep her well and truly busy. Richard McKnight Director and Consultant (03) 470-3607 richard@bbas.co.nz Richard assists a number of clients who have been with him since returning from OE in 1985. His clients include professionals, exporters, manufacturers and those with extensive property interests. His years of experience have lead him to become a specialist in tax planning, business and company share valuations, and business sales. Richard maintains a balanced life between work and family and is passionate about golf, playing most Saturdays at the lovely Balmacewen course in Dunedin. Monique McKewen Business Advisor (03) 470-3643 monique@bbas.co.nz A skilled chartered accountant and proud graduate of Otago University, Monique is a passionate Dunedin 'local', with a strong commitment and dedication to community and business. Warm and personable, with a keen, positive outlook, Monique is motivated by contributing to the success of her clients. She has an attitude of continuous improvement and is an advocate of ongoing learning and self-development. An example of this is Monique’s proficiency in Xero and the practical guidance she provides to clients, in applying technology to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of their businesses. When she's not supporting clients, Monique likes to keep fit, and cherishes the special time she can share with family and friends, especially in Central Otago, which she describes as 'her happy place'. Darin Stewart Business Advisor (03) 470-3637 darin@bbas.co.nz Darin uses local and international experience to leverage technology to assist corporates, privately owned or family businesses and others with pragmatic and commercial advice. Whether it is financial services, hospitality, building and manufacturing or other business activity he brings insight to help his clients achieve their goals. Darin enjoys surfing, you’ll find him at the beach when he isn’t helping his clients Dianne Wood Business Advisor (03) 470-3600 dianne@bbas.co.nz A recent import from the Bay of Plenty , Dianne has more than 35 years of accounting experience gained in NZ and overseas. She started her career in corporate accounting and moved into professional services around 15 years ago. Dianne’s passion is working alongside clients and building strong trusting relationships. Dianne also enjoys passing on her accounting and business knowledge to the next generation, providing mentorship to trainee accountants. Outside of work you will find Dianne traveling (she loves discovering the 'other island'), gardening, renovating an old villa, and scrapbooking with friends. And when covid allows, there are lots of trips to the Bay of Plenty to catch up with the family.


Steph Brenssell Business Advisor (03) 470-3631 steph@bbas.co.nz Steph uses her local experience and draws on her wide range of skills to assist privately owned and family businesses. She works closely with a number of nonprofit organisations as well as those in the hospitality, building, farming and other business sectors. Steph enjoys helping her clients navigate business and tax compliance issues and providing practical support for their day to day management accounting. Steph is heavily involved with rugby and netball in Dunedin during the winter months and is a regular volunteer at the Otago Community Hospice. Gwen Slote Business Advisor (03) 470-3600 gwen@bbas.co.nz Gwen is a chartered accountant who focuses on business partnering and advice, helping her clients improve their performance and achieve their objectives. She provides tailored services included business analysis and insights, development of strategic plans and business models, monitoring progress of strategic initiatives, and development and implementation of business plans. She enjoyed working with clients to improve their knowledge and skills, and works with internal and external partners to deliver comprehensive solutions. Along with her accounting qualifications, Gwen has a Humanities background with a BA majoring in English Literature and History from the University of Washington. Prior to joining BB&S, she worked at the University of Otago as a Divisional Finance Manager, providing support to the Division of Sciences. Outside of work, when not running around sports fields with her 3 children, Gwen is an avid paddler. She participates in both Dragonboat and Waka Ama, and was a New Zealand representative at the World Dragon Boat Championships in Thailand in 2023. Brent Halley Business Advisor (03) 470-3617 brent@bbas.co.nz Brent joined the 'original' BB&S team initially as a University holiday job in 1982. After a secondment, OE and a long period of time with other local firms, he is back at BB&S. Over the years Brent has developed and enjoyed close relationships looking after a loyal and varied client base in size, geographical spread and business sector. He provides a range of business advisory services, including reporting, tax compliance and planning, budgeting, forecasting, structuring, financing and refinancing, and asset protection. Outside of work, Brent and his wife are keen sports followers. Brent remains an active runner, which he supplements with cycling, gym and swimming activities. What spare time he has left, he puts back into the sport he loves, being heavily involved administratively with various athletics interests and supporting his two adult daughters to achieve their goals. Anita Loughrey Business Advisor (03) 470-3628 anita@bbas.co.nz Anita works with a variety of privately owned and family businesses on core compliance and a diverse range of technical issues. As more and more people look to the cloud, she is looking forward to working with clients to find technology solutions to meet their changing needs. Alongside her core compliance work, Anita is part of our tax administration team in the office. Anita balances work and family life, and enjoys gardening and cake decorating. Donna Ruwhiu Business Advisor (03) 470-3614 donna@bbas.co.nz Donna (Ngāpuhi) is a business advisor with extensive experience working with large and small business clients – including community organisations – to review, analyse and advise on the optimal design and interface for your accounting software requirements. Her role includes taking a holistic view of your organisation and working with you to develop a solution that is specific to your needs. Donna has lived in Dunedin for 30 years, is an avid bridge player and has been a committed advocate and volunteer for various charities around Dunedin.


Jean Sutherland Business Advisor (03) 470-3625 jean@bbas.co.nz Jean has over twenty years of experience assisting clients with their accounting and taxation needs; navigating compliance requirements, avoiding tax pitfalls, accessing the advantages of cloud accounting, and providing practical advice. As Practice Manager Jean also takes pride in ensuring BB&S clients receive the best possible service. Jean has three school age children so spends most of her time outside work driving round the Edgar Centre looking for a parking space. Gaile Medder Business Advisor (03) 470-3600 gaile@bbas.co.nz Gaile joined the team in 2022 bringing with her over 30 years combined administration management, management accounting and annual accounting experience. During her working career, she has gained BCom Accounting and Associated Chartered Accountant qualifications. Being very detail focussed, Gaile is passionate about building strong relationships and supporting clients with their day-to-day business activities. During her spare time, Gaile enjoys exploring the great outdoors, gardening and reading. Megan Harland Business Advisor (03) 470-3600 megan@bbas.co.nz Megan completed her Bachelor of Commerce at University of Otago in 2011, majoring in Management and Tourism, and completed her Bachelor of Accountancy at Massey University, in 2020. She is currently completing her chartered accountancy studies and is looking forward to becoming a fully qualified Chartered Accountant. Away from work, she likes to travel, spend time with family (especially her rambunctious daughter) and fundraise for charities, such as Ronald McDonald House, Little Miracles Trust, and Daffodil Day, to name a few. Shaakira Hassen Business Advisor (03) 470-3600 shaakira@bbas.co.nz Shaakira moved to New Zealand from South Africa in 2023. Her background is in South African accounting firms and commercial businesses. Outside of work she love spending time with her husband and 2 highly energetic boys. She has also been enjoying exploring the Otago area and in time to come would like to explore the rest of New Zealand Eden Poll Business Advisor (03) 470-3600 eden@bbas.co.nz Eden is a proud graduate of the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting. Currently on the path to becoming a Chartered Accountant, Eden is dedicated to furthering her skills and achieving full qualification. Being a Dunedin local, Eden is deeply invested in supporting the growth of local businesses. Outside of work, Eden enjoys spending time with family, travelling, and baking.


Alex Chibvongodze Business Advisor (03) 470-3600 alex@bbas.co.nz Alex is originally from Harare, Zimbabwe, Alex moved to New Zealand in 2016 and studied in Invercargill at SIT. Since graduating from SIT in 2023, he's been part of our team as a Business Advisor. Alex is currently working towards becoming a Chartered Accountant, showing his dedication to helping our clients succeed. Outside of work, Alex enjoys playing football and basketball, finding joy and relaxation in sports.