Member Details
Jurisdictions
New Zealand
Exclusive Member
Accountancy , Tax Advisory
Biography
Richard Ashby was born and bred in Waipu, a delightful country town about 30 minutes south of Whangarei.
Leaving school at the age of 16, Richard intended to study his accounting degree fulltime at Northland Polytechnic. Instead, he took up a position with the IRD in Whangarei. Four years later he transferred to the Henderson office. After three and a half years there, decided it was time to change sides.
He took an accounting position at a small CA firm. After 18 months he chased the opportunity for more of a challenge, which brought him through the doors of Gilligan Sheppard.
Having spent most of his time at the IRD in the investigations unit, Richard’s passion for tax stuck and he eventually became Gilligan Sheppard’s tax partner.
Richard has had over 31 years experience with NZ taxation, and particularly enjoys dealing with land tax issues and the GST regime. Richard deals with clients of all types and sizes and provides tax opinions on the application of NZ tax legislation to client scenarios, assists clients with IRD risk reviews and audits and can assist clients who are having difficulties meeting their tax payment obligations to make suitable repayment arrangements with the IRD.
Richard also does a fair amount of cross-border tax work, providing tax and structuring advice either to clients looking to expand their activities offshore or to non-residents entering the NZ jurisdiction.
More recently Richard has commenced providing an advisory service to predominantly Auckland based accountancy practices, who either may not have their own internal tax resource, or they do but are just looking for a second opinion
Firm Description
Gilligan Sheppard deliver advice in a very considered, straight talking manner that will always clarify the decisions that need to be made.
Some clients have called us a breath of fresh air, which is quite fortunate, because we are not terribly comfortable operating any other way.
Gilligan Sheppard takes the time to understand each client and the particular challenges they face moving forward, given what they would like to achieve. We then methodically evaluate the options ahead, vigilantly considering the potential short and long-term outcomes, to ensure that you get the best possible advice.
We’re different. We challenge.
We consider. Then – we deliver.
“Don’t take life too seriously – it’s not as if you’re going to get out alive.” Signs on our office walls will leave you under no illusion about the nature of the people you are dealing with.
Our clients trust us in a way that more conventional accountants will never be trusted. That’s why clients will meet Bruce in his bright orange t-shirt and bike shorts. Because they appreciate his honesty, knowledge and skill. The way he dresses – that’s just the wrapping. They know the real value lies inside.
