Customer Story: Edith Amituanai Artist
Acclaimed photographer and Arts Educator Edith Amituanai has been described by fellow photographer Haruhiko Saemshima as a “catalyst bringing art into communities and communities into art”. Her contemporary photography has won multiple awards including the Marti Friedlander Photographic Award 2007, the Trust Waikato National Contemporary Art Award and the Martin Hughes Contemporary Pacific Art Award.
Located in Auckland, New Zealand, much of Edith’s photography focuses on her local community and in particular the Pasifika community of which she is part of. Her work has been featured in many exhibitions around New Zealand and in 2018 she created a book Keep On Kimi Ora in collaboration with Kimi Ora Primary School in Flaxmere, New Zealand.
Art and Accounts
Like many artists, Edith’s business income comes from multiple sources and can be sporadic. She found herself with a growing business, needing help understanding both her financial position and her tax and GST obligations. She also wanted to develop long term financial systems and to prepare her accounts so she could apply for a home loan.
The importance of understanding
When looking for an accountancy partner, it was important to Edith to work with someone who understood artists and knew how to make them comfortable with their finances. Fellow artist, Nikau Hindin recommended that Edith talk to Diane and Spectrum Accounting who had first-hand experience working with artists as well as many other self-employed contractors in similar positions.
The Spectrum Accounting Experience
Diane and the team from Spectrum Accounting began working with Edith soon after. They started by setting up Edith’s accounts in Xero and establishing some financial systems for her business. They helped her meet her tax obligations and prepared her accounts so that she could successfully apply for the home loan she was wanting.
Edith still wanted to be involved in her accounts, so the team from Spectrum Accounting gave her training to understand and utilize Xero and the systems they had put in place.
“I feel very empowered by utilising the systems Spectrum Accounting has built for me.”
Now, Edith completes the parts of her accounts that she is comfortable with, while Diane and her team look after the rest.
“I now have a much clearer understanding of my finances, of how much revenue was made, expenses etc. It’s been life changing!
It means I know what I can say yes and no to, and what I areas I can develop further.”
Edith and her husband also own a rental property and Spectrum Accounting assists to manage the end of year accounts for this property.
Stamp of Approval
Edith has been very happy with the work and support she has received from Spectrum Accounting. She describes the team as prompt and great communicators and readily tells colleagues and friends about them.
“I tell many colleagues, particularly sole traders, about Diane as it has been liberating to know more about my finances, before it was very much guesswork!”
If you want to take the guesswork out of your accounts, talk to Diane and Spectrum Accounting today.