BDO Kerikeri & Jennian Homes
How BDO Spicers Kerikeri helps the Jennian Homes Far North team to develop their true potential
Jennian Homes is a franchised New Zealand home design and build business which has already built more than 10,000 homes across New Zealand. The Far North owners of the Jennian franchise are Brendon and Justine Strang. Their business advisory and accounting needs are managed by BDO Spicers Bay of Islands’ Stephen Rundle and Anna Jordan.
What is a Jennian Home?
Jennian homes are constructed to the latest industry specifications, focusing on “future proofing” and sustainable building as well as style and good looks. And the team in the Far North won two Silver Master Builders’ Association Medal awards in 2007 for their homes; awarded to houses that are at least 65% higher than industry standards. They build homes either from standard plans, modify them to suit the client or build from clients’ own plans. Their role is to co-ordinate construction using a team of subcontractors for the building and other trades including plumbers, electricians, landscapers etc.
BDO Spicers & Jennian Homes Far North
Brendon and Justine have been dealing with BDO Spicers for at least the past five years, with Stephen looking after both business and personal accounts. And it’s not just an accounting relationship, Stephen loved the Jennian product so much he had Brendon’s team build him a house! Completed last year, Stephen is delighted with his own Jennian home, and as Brendon says “it gives him a much greater insight into exactly how our business works”.
On the ground advice
With the business being franchised from a master franchisor, the accounting side of things has some strong direction from the master franchise. When Brendon first bought into the business, he was provided with advice from a larger accounting firm, as standard, which Stephen and the team then implemented.
"Having the local knowledge to tailor the strategic advice appropriately was a huge advantage for us,” says Brendon. “BDO Spicers Bay of Islands had the expertise to understand and implement the strategy provided by Jennian and make it work for us here in our local community. “Stephen’s team helped us set up MYOB and our own reporting systems that are suited to our needs.”
A relationship of trust
What’s the key benefit to the BDO relationship? “It’s all about trust, isn’t it?” says Brendon. “For a number of reasons we totally trust Stephen, without a doubt. We don’t have to worry about the accounts as we know he and his team take a personal interest in our business and what’s happening for us. The service is exceptionally good and we enjoy Stephen as a person, and that’s very important.” The business set-up is relatively complicated with a range of Trusts in place, and Brendon has the confidence that Stephen and Anna understand the full “picture”.
BDO happy to support success in Northland
As for Stephen, he very much enjoys working with Brendon, Justine and their team. “It’s a great business and an interesting business as well,” he says. “Plus I have a significant level of “end-user” understanding now, being lucky enough to live in one of the Jennian homes! It’s great to be involved in a Far North business and to know we’re able to help that business to grow.”
Contact BDO Spicers Kerikeri & Stephen Rundle here
Download this case study as a brochure
Visit Jennian Homes here