Frequently Asked Questions

Start with a free consultation. We’ll guide you through everything you need to hit the ground running — from registering with IRD and GST to setting up Xero with midwife-specific templates. We’ll help you apply for the IRD early payment discount, get secure IRD access, understand your income and expenses, and even support you with interest-free start-up loans if eligible. You’ll also learn what you can claim (like mileage, clinical supplies, or home office), and have the option to use our JANE service — combining the best of Hnry and Xero. Our friendly, local team specialises in midwifery support, so you can feel confident knowing it’s all set up right from the start.

The easiest way to begin is by filling out our contact form — it only takes a minute. Once we receive your details, a member of our friendly team will be in touch to arrange a time for a personal consultation (by phone or Zoom, whichever you prefer). During this relaxed chat, we’ll take the time to understand your unique situation — whether you’re just starting out as a graduate, returning to practice, or switching from Core to LMC. There’s no obligation, no pressure, and no cost — just honest, specialist advice to help you get set up with confidence.

Absolutely. Most midwives start out as sole traders, and we make that process simple — from IRD and GST registration to setting up Xero and getting your banking, invoicing, and tax systems in place. We'll also help you develop good financial habits so everything runs smoothly from the beginning.

If you're considering working with others — such as practice partners — we can also guide you through setting up a company structure. In this setup, each midwife can become a shareholder, giving your group a shared business identity and clearer financial separation. We’ll explain the benefits and responsibilities involved, help you understand what’s right for your situation,
If you're considering a company structure, we can talk you through the pros and cons based on your goals, and the additional costs incurred to maintain a company.

Yes — we’re here to make starting (and finishing) your midwifery business simple and stress-free. Whether you’re registering as a sole trader or setting up a company, we’ll guide you through every step — including IRD and GST registration, Companies Office filings (if needed), and setting up Xero for free, tailored specifically for midwives. We’ll also help you choose the right business structure, set up banking and invoicing, and build strong financial habits from the start.

If you ever need to pause your practice — for maternity leave, health reasons, or any other circumstance — we’ve got experience helping midwives navigate those transitions too, making sure your accounts, tax, and obligations are handled correctly. And when the time comes to close down, we’ll support you with final returns, deregistration, and a smooth wrap-up of your business.

Absolutely. We make switching simple and stress-free. If you're currently with another accountant or service provider, we’ll handle the transition — including collecting the necessary documents and, if needed, contacting your previous accountant on your behalf. To help keep your costs down and avoid double-handling of accounts, we usually recommend switching at the end of the financial year (March 31st). But no matter when you’re ready, we’ll make sure everything is set up properly and nothing gets missed — so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

We keep things simple, fair, and built around what works best for midwives. Most of our core services are offered on a fixed-fee basis, so you know exactly what to expect. You can choose to pay monthly or just settle up at the end of the financial year, based on the actual work done — whichever suits you best.

New graduate midwives receive a 40% discount while getting started, and for full-time midwives, our goal is to keep your total annual accounting cost under 1% of your income.

Compared to platforms like Hnry, which take 1% of everything you earn and rely on you to manage your own expense claims, we take a far more personalised and proactive approach. We work closely with you to ensure every eligible deduction is claimed — from home office and clinical supplies to mileage, depreciation, ACC savings, and IRD relief.

The result? Most clients save thousands more in tax — often saving far more than our fee costs. That means you keep more of what you earn, with expert, midwifery-focused support by your side the whole way.

Our fees are typically less than 1% of your gross sales, and our rates are ~25–50% lower than traditional firms.

No — we believe in flexibility and transparency. There are no setup fees, no hidden costs, and no lock-in contracts. You’re free to leave at any time, and we won’t charge you cancellation fees. We want you to stay with us because you’re happy, not because you’re tied in.

Yes — we offer a 40% discount for first-year midwives who are just getting started. We understand that income doesn’t begin right away, so our goal is to keep costs low while giving you the right support from day one. You’ll still receive full access to our expert team, Xero setup, and all the guidance you need — just at a lower rate while you’re finding your feet.

Midwifery is at the heart of what we do. We currently support over 200 midwives across New Zealand, and in just six months last year, we provided interest-free start-up loans to 40 graduate midwives — helping them launch their careers with confidence.

While we specialise in midwifery, our roots go deeper. We've been supporting clients for over 35 years, with some of our clients staying with us for decades. We also work with sole traders, small businesses, companies, and charities, offering the same thoughtful, personalised service — grounded in real-world experience and long-term relationships.

Yes — in nearly all cases, you should register for GST right from the start. Most midwives earn well over the $60,000 threshold, and even if you’re still setting up, registering early means we can claim GST on your initial expenses — like clinical equipment, home office setup, and more.

One of the biggest advantages? Bringing your business vehicle onto the books often results in a GST refund in your very first return — putting money back in your pocket right when you need it most.

We’ll guide you through the whole process in just a few minutes over the phone and make sure everything is set up correctly from day one.

Yes — if you do any of your admin, planning, or record keeping from home (even part-time), you’re entitled to claim a portion of your rent or mortgage, power, internet, and other shared household costs.

We’ll help you calculate the exact percentage based on your workspace and usage, and make sure it’s accurately included in your tax return — so you’re not missing out on any deductions you’re entitled to.

The EOYF form is a simplified, IRD-compliant year-end report we’ve designed specifically for midwives. The IRD requires one each year — and we’ve automated the process to make it fast and hassle-free.

The form comes pre-filled with your previous year’s data, and because most of your financial info is already in Xero, you’ll usually just need to check a few details (like your address or vehicle use), confirm everything’s correct, and submit.

No spreadsheets, no guesswork — just a quick annual check-in, and we handle the rest to make sure your return is accurate, compliant, and maximising your deductions.

You have a few easy options. Most midwives complete the EOYF form online — it’s mobile-friendly, pre-filled with last year’s info, and takes just a few minutes. You can also choose to download a fillable PDF and email it back to us if you prefer.

Not a fan of forms? No problem — we’re happy to schedule a 15-minute Zoom or phone call to go through it with you. It’s a great way to catch up, ask any questions, and make sure everything’s covered and submitted correctly.

Absolutely. Around 15% of our clients come to us with overdue tax returns or IRD issues, so you’re not alone — and there’s no judgment. We’ll work closely with you to get everything caught up, lodge any outstanding returns, and communicate directly with IRD on your behalf to find the best possible resolution.

Whether it’s a few months or a few years behind, we’ll help you take control again — one step at a time, with full support along the way.

JANE is our in-house tool, designed specifically for midwives who want peace of mind around tax. It gives you a real-time view of your income, tax, and true take-home pay, so you always know exactly what’s yours to spend.

JANE automatically calculates and sets aside the right amounts for income tax, GST, student loans, and ACC — helping you stay IRD compliant and avoid unexpected tax bills. If you have existing tax debt, JANE supports forward compliance and personalised catch-up plans to help you get back on track.

It’s like the best of Hnry and Xero combined, but tailored to LMC midwives — and backed by a real, experienced team who understands your work and walks with you every step of the way.

JANE works in the background to make tax stress-free. As you earn, JANE calculates your income tax, GST, ACC, and student loan obligations in real time, so the correct amounts are automatically set aside. This helps you stay compliant and avoid unexpected tax bills.

Then, each Friday, your income from the past week is transferred from your savings account into your business account — already tax-adjusted — so what lands is truly yours to spend.

No spreadsheets, no surprises — just smart automation, tailored for midwives.

No — JANE doesn’t replace your accountant, it works alongside us to automate your tax payments. Think of it like a PAYE system for sole traders: JANE automatically calculates and pays your GST, income tax, and provisional tax on time, so you don’t have to think about it.

It’s important to note that JANE is separate from year-end tax filing and GST returns — those are still handled by our team as part of your accounting support. JANE is an additional layer of protection and convenience, designed to keep your tax obligations up to date throughout the year while you stay focused on your practice.

Yes — our service is designed to be fully online, including onboarding, document uploads, tax submissions, and even meetings via Zoom, phone, or email. The only thing we need you to sign is a one-time Tax Agency form so we can act on your behalf with IRD — and we’ll guide you through that with simple instructions.

That said, we know not all midwives are thrilled about doing everything digitally — and that’s okay! We genuinely enjoy chatting on the phone, answering your questions, and getting to know our clients the old-school way. Just like the early days of midwifery practice, we believe in building relationships, not just running numbers.

Absolutely — we support midwives all across New Zealand, no matter what your postcode is. Whether you're in a major centre or a rural community, you’ll receive the same expert, responsive service. Everything can be done online, and we’re always just a phone call or Zoom away.

Many rural midwives especially value having experienced support on hand — not only for tax and compliance, but for the things that matter day to day. We’re prompt to respond and prioritise practical needs like cash flow forecasts for lending, so you can access finance, plan ahead, and live your life with confidence.

We keep things simple, personal, and flexible — whether by email, Zoom, or phone, we’ll work the way that suits you best. We're quick to respond, easy to reach, and always happy to talk things through.

You’ll also receive reminders for due dates and clear updates on anything we need from you — no stress, no jargon.

We’re also active in the midwifery community — each year we speak to graduate classes about sole trader setup and financial basics, and we regularly attend NZCOM conferences to stay connected and up to date with the needs of midwives across Aotearoa.

Your free consultation is a relaxed, no-pressure chat where we’ll take the time to understand your current situation, whether you're just starting out, switching accountants, or needing help catching up. We’ll answer all your questions — from tax, GST, and IRD obligations to business structure, claiming expenses, or accessing support like interest-free loans. Most importantly, we’ll recommend practical next steps tailored to your goals. There’s no cost, no obligation, and no jargon — just genuine, midwife-focused advice to help you feel clear and confident moving forward.