Ashburton

Kirsty Naish

Born and raised in Mid Canterbury, Kirsty completed her studies at Lincoln University before jetting around the world where she worked as a Financial Controller in London, Canada and Samoa. Kirsty is passionate about the Mid Canterbury region and helping her clients define and achieve success. In her spare time Kirsty enjoys traveling, sport and has just started taking her daughter Rosabel hiking … sometimes dragging her partner Tyrone along too.

Jordan Bird

Jordan is a local lad and has been based in Mid Canterbury his whole life. After finishing high school at Mount Hutt College in Methven he gained a B.Com Majoring in Accounting from Otago University. Jordan has worked as an accountant in Ashburton for three and a half years and is enthusiastic about Sidekick’s innovative technology based approach to accounting.

When he’s not helping our Sidekick clients, Jordan enjoys socialising with friends, playing golf, cricket and going to the gym.

Melissa Ross

Mel is our Client Services Manager, taking on all aspects of our workflow, payroll & client relationships. She is your first point of call for your accounting queries as well as being a welcoming face to our Sidekick Ashburton Office.

Mel brings with her many years of administration, secretarial and bookkeeping experience gained in various roles in New Zealand and London. With a passion for learning all things new and challenging, her enthusiasm and friendly demeanor will be of great benefit to our clients.

When Mel is away from the office you’ll find her ferrying her 4 kids to their various activities, tending to her husband’s accounts or in her dress rental shop. Mel loves her fitness and enjoys F45 & taking on the odd challenging mountain bike race!

Sarah Robertson

Sarah was born and raised in the North Island. After completing a Bachelor of Physical Education at Otago University she went travelling to the UK. Over there she met her husband Gregor and they returned back to NZ and settled in Methven in 2009.

It has been since returning to NZ that Sarah has discovered how much she enjoys working in accounts and she is excited about the opportunities offered at Sidekick for further study in this area to broaden her knowledge and experience.

Sarah, an accountant, is on hand to help all our Ashburton office.When she isn’t at work she will be in Methven spending time with her family, exercising and gardening. 

Kellie Winter

Kellie has a background in agribusiness banking, operations management and management accounting. Kellie studied at Lincoln University and went on to become a Chartered Accountant with a local firm in Ashburton.

Sidekick attracted Kellie as she was eager to return to public practice accounting with the exciting opportunities to of meeting clients – both new and existing!

Julie Copland

Whilst also being a Chartered Accountant, Julie has a passion for projects and improving business processes. Julie works across the Sidekick Group to find better and smarter ways to work.

After attending Lincoln University, Julie was in the New Zealand Airforce where she was a Logistics Officer, organising the deployment of both staff and equipment within New Zealand and around the world. She then moved home to Canterbury to pursue Accounting and has since had roles in a Chartered Accounting firm in Ashburton, as a Management Accountant for Ravensdown, and then more lately Midlands Apiaries.

Outside of work Julie loves playing squash and netball, travelling, and spending time with her husband Dan and son Thomas.

Kirsten Maclean

Kirsten specialises in dispute resolution, relationship property, HR, and employment law.

A litigator with over 20 years experience in all forms of dispute resolution both here and in England, Kirsten is also a qualified and admitted solicitor on the UK Solicitors’ roll. Kirsten has appeared at all levels of courts in the civil and employment jurisdiction, including the Court of Appeal in New Zealand and junioring in the House of Lords in the UK.

Her significant expertise enables her to provide a range of advice and guidance relating to everything from all aspects of health and safety, to assisting in the prevention and resolution of employment-related issues for both employers and employees, relationship property matters and complex commercial, civil and trust litigation and disputes.

With an outstanding track record for resolving complex litigation while previously working as a partner of a medium sized Canterbury firm and the head of an employment and dispute resolution team, she ensures her client’s business is future-proofed.

Josh Wilson

Josh is a software specialist and Chartered Accountant with 14 years industry experience, and is spearheading the move to cloud-based accounting through Sidekick Cloud, launched in 2019.

As traditional, time-consuming methods of book-keeping are being challenged in the market place – especially in the highly mobile post COVID-19 economy – Josh’s passion is in the potential of real-time cloud technology and its ability to enhance business efficiency and profitability. He designs holistic business systems for his clients and has a special focus on the add-on software market.

Josh has a talent for assessing clients’ needs and ensuring he provides each business with the capability to manage their own finances through thorough training and ongoing support. He believes that this is the key to the sustainability of any new system and enjoys witnessing clients start to manage their own accounts with confidence. He is constantly learning and expanding his own knowledge in the world of add-on products for Xero users – such as WorkflowMax, Hubdoc and Unleashed – so that he can continue to offer the very best solutions for Kiwi businesses.

Dave Jessep

Dave’s spent over 20 years in accounting and he still loves coming to work every day. He founded the company back in 2006, and his infectious enthusiasm has helped him build a company of talented staff who are excited to be part of DJCA.

As you’d expect, Dave is a member of the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants. He’s also a Mentor with the Business Mentors of NZ program, and is especially skilled at advising clients from all kinds of industries in strategy, planning, goal setting, and implementing business structures.

Dave played hooker for Marlborough Boys’ College and won the Matthews Cup for Most Outstanding Player (ahead of Anton Oliver, who was maybe 14 at the time). He now enjoys running and biking with his kids.

Joseph Houghton

Joe is based in Christchurch but will be operating in the Marketing Coordinator role for the whole Sidekick group. 

Joe grew up in Auckland and Sydney but went to school in Auckland before he studied Marketing & Media at Victoria in Wellington.

Outside of work, Joe is an avid mountain biker and competes in races around the country. He also surfs and snowboards, and is excited about being able to do all of these now he’s based in Canterbury!