Firm Profile

SOLID FOUNDATIONS, SOLID RESULTS
Chartered accountants you can rely on!

The foundations of the “Accountancy Practice” were laid originally by Frank Roberts who began practising as a sole practitioner shortly after the conclusion of World War II. Before then, Frank was employed as the in-house accountant for Holmes Motors (now Gisborne Motors).

A “time line” of the major events in the life of the Practice:-

1960:	Frank was joined by his son Bill operating from the first floor above the Bank of New South Wales (now Westpac NZ Ltd).
1963:	Frank and Bill formed a partnership (Roberts & Roberts) and moved to new premises on the first floor above Kohn’s Pharmacy (now the House of Gifts) on the corner of Gladstone Road and Bright Street.
1977:	Acquired the accounting practice of JD (Jack) Finnigan.
1978:	Frank retired and Bill was joined in partnership by Colin Sowerby.
1988:	Colin joined Flavell & Chamberlain and Bill continued on as a sole practitioner.
1998:	Geoff Harper, previously a partner in Flavell & Chamberlain, joined Bill to form the new partnership of Roberts & Harper.
2000:	The Partnership was changed to a Company, Roberts & Harper Limited, and KJ Laird’s practice of Ryan, Lynch & Lynch was acquired.  Moved to current premises at 400 Palmerston Road.
2002:	Untimely death of Geoff Harper, since then Bill Roberts has continued as a sole practitioner.

The current staff Rohan Hill, Alan Baldwin, Kathy Papuni, Lesley Rose and John Landon-Lane have all been long serving staff of either Bill Roberts, the late Geoff Harper or the late Ken Laird. The remaining staff members have joined Roberts & Harper since its formation and are extremely capable and respected for the work they do.

Apart from small business and individual tax assignment work, the firm over the years has specialised in all aspects of accounting, secretarial and GST filing for Gisborne and East Coast businesses. In particular farming businesses, including Trusts, Partnerships, Sole Traders, Companies and Maori Authorities including Marae, Kohanga Reo and Incorporated Societies.

The firm also specialises in the auditing of financial statements on behalf of various reporting organisations and assisting with the planning of family tax and financial affairs and with the planned transfer of wealth between generations.

Our enthusiasm for our work means you are provided with a friendly team of professionals who are eager to use their expertise to help you succeed.