Hayes Knight

Hayes Knight New Zealand is an innovative chartered accountancy practice that works beyond the numbers to keep their clients’ businesses future fit.

Based in Auckland, Hayes Knight has a team of approximately 130 professionals with a wide range of technical expertise to assist clients in meeting the challenges of business. 

Hayes Knight has specialist knowledge and experience in accounting, auditing, taxation, business development, information technology and financial management services.

Sustainable Advantage, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hayes Knight, delivers consultancy services in the areas of sustainability, corporate responsibility, research and communications.

The challenge

Hayes Knight strives to provide the link between accountancy and sustainability.

Some responses

• Hayes Knight conducted research into their client’s sustainability initiatives.
• Identified the role it can play as a service business to advance sustainability and influence its clients towards systemic and transformational change.
• Creation of an in-house ‘Sustainability Council’ to champion sustainability initiatives and embed sustainability throughout the business.
• Investing in staff engagement initiatives and staff wellbeing initiatives. 
• Investing time into research and developing understanding of cultural sustainability.
• Investing in the community through sponsorship and staff time.   
  

The results

• Re-branding to ‘Accountancy Beyond the Numbers’.
• The creation of  Sustainable Advantage, a wholly owned subsidiary, that provides consultancy services in the areas of sustainability, corporate responsibility, research and communications
• Holistic and long term strategic planning around returning value to the whole community.

Northern Regional Awards judges' comments

• The Judges were impressed with the comprehensive strategic thinking behind the integration of sustainability into their systems and business services.
• Hayes Knight has a great understanding of their unique points of difference and potential to drive change, in all areas of sustainability.
• They have implemented good engagement mechanisms with both staff and clients and are actively implementing internal auditing and measurement processes.
• With solid foundations now established, Hayes Knight is shaping up to be a sustainability leader in accounting and financial services.