About

Find out more about the team

Small to medium-sized rural businesses are our specialty

Typically, we work with small to medium sized businesses who want to improve specific aspects of their business management or the accuracy of their financial information, either on a cash or accrual basis, by using a range of financial tools such as Farm Focus, Xero and Figured.

Our team of four each have over 20 years experience in administration, bookkeeping, payroll, financial management, HR and governance. We work with a large number of farming businesses. Before going out on her own, Sandra was the Administration Business Manager for MyFarm Investments Ltd. She supervised the management of accounts payable, tax compliance and shareholder business communication for more than 40 farms and related business. Sandra also owned and actively worked in sharemilking partnerships, and is an experienced and successful dairy farm investor who understands farming.

Our Team

Sandra Phippen
Sandra has 25+years experience leading teams in administration, bookkeeping, payroll, financial management, HR and governance. She has a Diploma in Business and Diploma in Human Resources. Before establishing her own business, Sandra was Administration Business Manager for MyFarm Investments Ltd supervising the management of accounts payable, tax compliance and shareholder business communication for more than 40 farms and related business. Sandra has owned and actively worked in sharemilking partnerships, and is a dairy farm investor.
Sara Wills
As a business owner and accountant, Sara Wills understands the difference well managed administration and accounting can make to the bottom line. Sara owns a motel in Palmerston North and before joining Sandra Phippen she held previous roles in accounting, administration and human resources for a variety of Manawatu clients in different industries. Sara has an Accounting degree and is a deft hand with accounting software packages such as Xero + Figured, Cash Manager and Payroll Agrismart.
Brenda Manville
Brenda Manvillebrenda@spbms.co.nz
Before joining Sandra Phippen in 2018, Brenda was a farm administrator at MyFarm Investments responsible for up to ten properties. As a former sharemilker, she has a deep understanding of farming and farm business management. Brenda specialises in dairy farm administration and accounts payable for dairy farm partnerships. She has a close working relationship with the on-farm manager and the corporate business manager.
Rachel Sharland
Rachel Sharlandrachel@spbms.co.nz
Rachel joined us in mid 2022 and with her previous experience in the insurance industry and managing the accounts on her own farm, her eye for detail was exactly what we were looking for. Rachel lives on a 58 hectare beef block near Tangimoana with her partner and two rugby and motorbike mad young sons. Rachel says she’s loving the opportunity to learn new skills such as planning and budgeting and the variety of farming clients.
Jasmine
Before joining the team in late 2023, Jasmine was working in administration and accounts at Fonterra, where she was responsible for the payables and receivables of the business unit and maintaining farmer relations. Jasmines’ data entry and technological capabilities have made her an asset to our team. Jasmines’ role is strongly supported by her Bachelor of Management Studies (Accounting) and Grad Cert in Agribusiness Management. Outside of work Jasmine is a keen member of the local Young Farmers club and runs the Feilding Girl Guide unit.

Client Testimonials

Don’t take our word for it – here’s what our clients say:

I have dealt with Sandra for some years in her role with MyFarm, Sandra being involved with the administration and bookkeeping of farms for which we acted as the independent Chartered Accountant. Based on those experiences, I would describe Sandra as organised, capable and good to deal with.

As the accountant for businesses we get to see under the hood of the administration and bookkeeping work that has been done. Sometimes what looks good on the surface is ugly underneath, but in Sandra’s case there’s no such problem – her files have always been good all the way through. I would happily recommend her skills in this area.

I contacted Sandra because I wanted to set my business up on Xero and I knew to get it right from the outset I would need help from someone who understands accounting, but can speak plain English.

After three hours training and setting up together my bank feeds were working, I could reconcile transactions, generate invoices and most importantly understand what was going on! Sandra made the whole process very easy with minimal stress. She’s a patient, thorough and very perceptive trainer. Now my financial management takes half the time it used to and I know it’s accurate.

Sandra is lovely to work with. She really listens to what you want out of working with her and then puts steps into place to get there. She has a broad range of knowledge and her experience in the dairy industry at all levels has really benefited our business.

Platforms

We can help you with a range of accounting platforms
Xero
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