Company directorships, governance & administration

Company directorships, governance & administration

Assistance with company governance and administration, including providing professional and independent directors. 

The role of company director

The role of external company directors is to:

  • offer fresh thinking and provide additional skills and knowledge
  • encourage accountability and transparency
  • reduce risk for the company and other Directors
  • consider the strategic vision for the company
  • have extensive networks to help the company grow

Baker Tilly Staples Rodway can provide independent directors who can take a formal appointment to boards of directors.

These appointments are valuable where stakeholders appreciate the benefits of a professional and independent board member who can provide specialist skills in all of the above areas.

It is important to be aware that, despite not being involved in the day to day management of the company, directors can still be subject to prosecution, fines and even imprisonment if there are accidents or financial issues. Because of this, being a director means that there should be active engagement and commitment of time to ensure that the director’s duties are properly carried out, matters are fully considered and risks are properly managed.

New Zealand resident directors

All New Zealand incorporated are required to have at least one director who is either living in New Zealand or living in Australia and is also a director of an Australian company. 

If you represent a New Zealand company that requires a New Zealand resident Director we would be happy to discuss taking on the role. In that case, one of our Directors would become a Director of the company, enabling it to comply with this requirement.

Improve governance to accelerate performance

Company Directors are just one part of company governance. As companies grow in size, demands increase from stakeholders, financiers and regulators. The design of appropriate governance structures to support business owners and operational management is therefore vital. Key points to be decided when reviewing governance matters include:

  • Composition of the Board of Directors
  • Reviews of Board Performance
  • Advisory Board memberships
  • Audit committee members
  • Strategic reviews of business activities
  • Reviews of Management performance and alignment to strategic objectives

Advisory board members generally operate as mentors, and may attend Board meetings as an independent advisor to a Board.

Company administration

It's not just the annual return! Any time there are changes in ownership, directorship or many other matters, Companies Act requirements must be met. The administration requirements for New Zealand incorporated companies have increased over recent years, as have Companies Office policing of those requirements and their willingness to penalise company directors for non-compliance.

Baker Tilly Staples Rodway is a safe pair of hands who currently handle company administration requirements for hundreds of companies.

Services

News

30 Mar 2023

Does your business have a sound succession plan?

Succession is something many business owners don’t consider or talk about other than the thought that they should plan for their departure “at some point”. But it pays to start preparing. . .  

23 Mar 2023

Kerry collects the crown at HR awards ceremony

The Human Resources Institute of New Zealand (HRNZ) held its 2023 NZ HR Awards this month and our very own Kerry Tattersall was named HR Professional of the Year. We get her reaction and commentary on her 22 years as a specialist. . .

21 Mar 2023

How Statutory Demands enforce debt payment

We speak to Philip Macey of our Taranaki office about the use of Statutory Demands to recover debt and their role in liquidations…

16 Mar 2023

Why managers need more support than ever

When recession is in the forecast, it’s natural to reach for the pencil sharpener. Nice-to-haves like corporate away-days and learning and development are usually the first to face the chop, followed by a staffing review.

14 Mar 2023

Tax Talk | Financial relief after cyclone and floods

The horrific weather events of the past month have had a significant impact on people and businesses throughout New Zealand, including our Hawke’s Bay team.

14 Mar 2023

How acquisitions can help your business grow

As the New Zealand economy heads into a recession, businesses face a growing number of challenges. Inflation is at a record high, which has a direct impact on costs and the disposable income of consumers.

10 Mar 2023

International Women's Day: Fiona Welten

Tauranga Business Advisory Services director Fiona Welten shares what she’s proud of and what she enjoys in her role as part of an International Women's Day series profiling some of our female leaders.

09 Mar 2023

International Women's Day: Nicola Hankinson

Wellington director Nicola Hankinson talks about her upbringing, career and more as part of an International Women's Day series profiling some of our female leaders

08 Mar 2023

International Women's Day: Kylie Cronin

Taranaki associate Kylie Cronin talks about her values around being a mum while progressing her career as part of an International Women's Day series profiling some of our female leaders.

07 Mar 2023

International Women's Day: Andrea Stevenson

This week we’re celebrating our female leaders with an International Women’s Day series. Today we hear from the bright and brilliant Andrea Stevenson – one of our Hawke’s Bay directors.

06 Mar 2023

International Women's Day: Annette Azuma

Auckland director Annette Azuma tells us about a little girl who made the most of opportunities as part of an International Women's Day series profiling some of our female leaders.

03 Mar 2023

Let’s celebrate our female leaders and workers

Next Wednesday is International Women’s Day and we’d like to applaud the dedication and brilliance of our female staff and leaders.  

Find an expert

Our website uses cookies to help understand and improve your experience. Please let us know if that’s okay by you.

Cookies help us understand how you use our website, so we can serve up the right information here and in our other marketing.