Collaboration leads to firms' merger

AS ONE: John Taylor, left, chief executive and partner of Balance Chartered Accountants, and Zenith Solutions director Russell Bell have forged a business partnership. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A successful collaboration on a project between two local professional services firms has developed into a merger and an exciting road ahead for Balance Chartered Accountants and strategic consulting firm Zenith Solutions.

Earlier in the year Balance asked Russell Bell of Zenith to help them prepare an important proposal document. Zenith designed the "look and feel" of the document, and also assisted with the overall proposal strategy, text and presentation.

Zenith suggested partnering with national service firm Deloitte, while also adding their weight to the full service offering. The proposal was ultimately successful and the journey through the process developed a bond which now sees the two firms joining forces.

"Russell and Katy Beadle (Zenith's marketer and designer) did a great job and were really part of a full team effort," said John Taylor, Balance partner and chief executive.

"The team as a whole worked well together and achieved the result we set as our objective. From there, we decided to explore working in a closer way with Zenith and the merger we have today is the result."

Balance has been part of the region's business fabric for more than 90 years, with offices in Whanganui, Ohakune and Taumarunui, while Zenith has been providing specialist consulting services over the last five-and-a-half years from its base in Whanganui.

Anne Topham, a Balance partner based in Taumarunui, said she was excited at the prospect of being able to offer a range of specialist business consulting services to Balance clients "especially strategy, risk management and governance services that Zenith specialises in".

Balance now has a leadership team in Whanganui that includes Yvonne Wallis, Glenn Brown, MrBell and Mr Taylor.

"We have specialised in accounting and tax compliance and we have an excellent team of great and skilled people," Mr Brown said.

"What is exciting about this is that we can build on this foundation to offer clients, and the wider market, services which they need but couldn't previously access," he said.

"I guess we are now a true 'one stop shop'."

Already the merger has seen Balance start projects for clients which it would otherwise have needed outside support.

"Russell and Katy are assisting a client of mine with the launch of a new and innovative product," Mrs Wallis said. "The client was surprised that we could offer that type of service but now we definitely can."

One thing hasn't changed is Balance's commitment to the region and the homes of its offices in particular.

Mr Taylor said the key for the group was ensuring that clients and future customers could access locals who could respond quickly and professionally to all requests. "It needs to be much more than just saying you can provide services. Our strategy has always been to build a base locally and this gives us the opportunity to do more for our clients immediately.

"This is more effective than calling yourself a group or a network and then having clients have to deal with people in other centres," he said.

It was a sentiment echoed by Mr Bell who said: "Now Balance can meet many needs. Our future services will be strategic and all about helping clients look forward and build robust, effective and profitable businesses."