ABOUT
The Collins James Team
Established in Christchurch in 2014 we saw the need for a forward thinking accounting firm. The focus of any business needs to be where you are heading rather than what happened last year.
Our mission is simple: To help our clients better understand and manage their businesses and in turn, achieve their goals.
Now with offices in Christchurch, Waihi, Whangamata and Rangiora, we are still a small team providing a personal service. Unlike other firms we don't outsource our services offshore, our staff and offices are local.
Our Team
_edited.jpg)
Aaron Collins, Director
aaron@collinsjames.co.nz | Phone: 021 737 103
​
Aaron is an experienced Chartered Accountant having worked in public practice since 2005. Prior to this he trained and worked as a chef, which these days gives him a unique insight into understanding his hospitality client's businesses. His focus is on keeping accounting simple, timely and useful. He specialises in the use of systems and software to help achieve this.
Aaron lives on a lifestyle block in North Canterbury and when he's not pretending to play farmer you will find him fishing in the Marlborough Sounds.
_edited.jpg)
.jpg)
Suzanne Spibey, Senior Accountant
suzanne@collinsjames.co.nz
Suzanne has been a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales since 1979 and a founding member of the Society of Trust and Estates Practitioners. She has been resident in New Zealand since 1995 and apart from a brief spell working in a well known NZ gym, since the age of 17 she has been an accountant in public practice.
Suzanne specialises in the accounting and taxation of a wide range of businesses and has a wealth of experience with farms and family trusts. Her current portfolio of clients has been with her for up to 20 years and through that shared experience she is able to advise them in many ways. Suzanne has played representative level squash, netball and badminton and despite her growing years is still a bit of a fitness fanatic and can be seen in the gym at 5am most days, or on the squash court, bowling green or walking round the Southshore Spit.
Lina Atkins, Accounting Manager
lina@collinsjames.co.nz
Lina is now managing the Waihi office after many years of being part of the Waihi team. She has a wide range of clients from start-up businesses to well established, incorporated societies and Charities. Having come from an IRD background she brings an in-depth knowledge of tax, the workings of the IRD and its systems. Being a business owner along with her husband, helps with the understanding of the day-to-day issues of running a business.
Her hobbies include 4-wheel adventures, fishing, and netball. When not out driving or fishing she can be found either with her family or on the netball courts umpiring, coaching umpires, or teams. Having just completed building a new home in rural Waihi she is committed to enjoying the new space.
.jpg)
Angela Barlett, Intermediate Accountant
Angela@collinsjames.co.nz
Angela has been part of the Waihi Office for many years. A local Waihi person who is enjoying being part of the community. Angela's hobbies include photography and has recently enjoyed renovating her first home.
Nick James, Director
nick@collinsjames.co.nz | Phone: 021 737 102
​
Nick is an experienced Chartered Accountant having worked in public practice since 2005 and then in the commercial world from 2009. Nick owns many different companies in a variety of industries, his experience is in understanding how business works and helping clients achieve better results beyond just the numbers.
Nick enjoys his sport and exercising. He lives in Christchurch with his wife and two school aged children. He also frequently visits Whangamata where his parents live and has been holidaying (and now working) there for over 20 years.
Daniela Hozias, Senior Accountant
daniela@collinsjames.co.nz
​
Originally from a small seaside town in Romania, Daniela has been calling New Zealand home for over 20 years. She has worked as an accountant since 2002. Previous work history includes an investor information company and the tax department. At Collins James she works with a variety of clients with businesses ranging from real estate agents to freight companies, to sheep and cattle farms.
​
Daniela loves to travel and discover new places, enjoys walking and spending time with her family and friends.