A different kind of accounting firm taking shape in New Zealand.
Catching up with the leadership of rapidly growing accounting and advisory firm Sidekick quickly sets aside the cliché that accountants aren’t fun to be around.
“We like to think we’re part of the 5% you’d want to have a beer with,” laughs CEO Ric Thorpe. “But seriously, we’ve established ourselves by being open to innovation, rapidly adopting new technology where it makes sense, and working with the cream of the crop in the industry to create value for our clients.”
Those were early principles on which Sidekick was established - and ones that continue to underpin its steady expansion now spanning eight offices, with seven in the South Island and one in the North. Plans are afoot to add further locations nationwide.
Way back when the now-internationally successful accounting software Xero was just getting off the ground, Sidekick’s founding firm recognised the winds of change blowing through the industry. It wasn’t just Xero as an excellent product that caught their attention, but the broader shift it represented – cloud-based tools that made collaboration easier, improved visibility and removed many of the frustrations that had long slowed the profession down.
As a result, Sidekick became an early adopter of the Xero platform, beginning a long-standing relationship. Along the way, it became one of the first Xero Platinum Partners in the world, a reflection of its on-going commitment to innovation.
Recalling those days, Thorpe says Xero felt ‘space-age’. “That quickly proved a winner. On top of the constant innovation they’ve brought to the industry, we did a bit ourselves, with things like a fixed fee accounting model launched in 2010, and an overall commitment - which is the same to this day - to helping our clients be more successful.”
Behind Thorpe’s enthusiasm is a clear ambition for continued, considered growth. Each Sidekick office operates independently while sharing knowledge, expertise and resources across the wider group.
“Our team brings together strong accounting expertise and practical business advice. Supporting clients has always gone beyond the numbers,” he says. “For us, those numbers remain the foundation of everything we do.
Those numbers don’t mean pure bean counting. Industry knowledge is invaluable when optimising aspects like working capital, debt structures, risk management and even milk price hedging for the dairy sector.
Thorpe says future expansion is likely to continue in regional and rural centres where Sidekick has seen strong traction and where there is growing demand for support that goes beyond compliance. “Agribusiness is doing very well, and we add value beyond the numbers,” he says.
In April 2025, Lawson Avery joined the Sidekick group after 116 years operating independently in Masterton bringing on board directors Brett Wooffindin and Jennifer Martin along with their experienced team.
So, why Sidekick?
Wooffindin says going from a smaller, two-director firm in the Wairarapa to being part of a business with around 100 people changes what is possible.
“There’s a lot more expertise available group-wide that we call upon for specific circumstances,” he says. “I specialise in sheep, beef and dairy, but through Sidekick we’re able to tap into a much broader range of expertise to deliver the best outcomes for our clients.
“Being part of the group really enhances the people development aspect of our business,” Wooffindin says. “Training and networking within the wider group is valuable for individuals, as it gives them growth opportunities and options.
“The group also does a lot on the technology side. That’s important with the pace of development and new advances like the emergence of AI.”
The combination of close client relationships, the Xero ecosystem, and Sidekick’s approach to innovation reflects its focus on people-driven accounting allowing the firm to deliver more practical, insight-led solutions.
These include tools such as Figured for forecasting and scenario planning, hedging strategies through StoneX, and improved access to funding – all designed to support better decision-making.
“Xero paved the way for this stuff by building the ecosystem of hundreds of applications; that’s helped change the job of the accountant from gathering information and giving historic rear-view reports,” Thorpe says.
“Now, with over 700 connected apps, we can help clients become forward looking. We spend less time on the basics, and more time on value-added stuff to help them make better decisions.”
Wooffindin adds: “That shift ultimately supports a consistent focus across the business – helping clients be more successful.”
As Sidekick continues to grow, the business is looking for firms like Lawson Avery to become part of its journey.
“We’re a really connected team built on a strong culture; we look for SWANS, people who are Smart, Work hard, Ambitious and Nice which is of fundamental importance to our brand identity – that’s how we knew Lawson Avery and more recently the addition of our Dunedin office were the right fit,” Thorpe says.
“We have a flexible approach to the structure, which can be arrangements where principals retain or sell equity and a licensing agreement is put in place. Sidekick is built on local ownership with deep community connections.
“The purpose of the group is to create a rising tide that lifts all – from junior accountants joining us for the first time, through to seniors who can then become owners in Sidekick, and part of something bigger.”
Wooffindin says “Joining Sidekick has been the single best thing I’ve done in business. I’d highly recommend anyone running an accountancy firm, or looking to start one, to have a conversation with our CEO (Thorpe) because Sidekick brings together people, ideas and support that are hard to replicate alone.”
Find out more at: Join the Group - Sidekick