About Us

At Flashpoint Accounting we like to think of ourselves as a 'boutique' accountancy and business advisory company. 'Boutique' because we offer a special type of service to our clients which we believe differs from some other accountancy practices. These include but are not limited to:

  • No Hourly Charge Out. Before we start on basic compliance work you get a single price, with no extra charge at the end of the year. You may have to change how you do a few things so that it streamlines with our systems, but the result is that you will spend less time on figures and more time on your business. Oh, and you can call and ask questions as often as you like.

  • We come to you. We understand you are busy, and your premises are 'where it's happening' so wherever possible we will meet you at the place that suits you best. This means you have as little disruption to your business as possible.

  • Are you a company financial whizz yourself or do your eyes glaze over with financial talk and jargon? Either way, we take the time and care to explain accounting terms and figures in a language that our clients can understand and are comfortable with.

As you would expect we do all the usual accountancy stuff that the other accountants do, we just believe that we do it in a more client focused and friendly manner than the rest.

Luke Canton BBS PBTA

Flashpoint Accounting Limited was established in 2010 with Luke Canton as sole director. After working several years in New Zealand and overseas for other accounting and banking firms, Luke decided it was timely to set up his own accounting business; drawing on his wide-ranging experiences as an accountant and private business operator including being personally involved in businesses in the building and construction industry, boat cleaning and hospitality industries.

Luke hails from Whangaparaoa, Auckland and now calls magical Mangawhai home, where he has lived with his three children for over ten years. ‘I believe in community spirit having spent years as a volunteer lifeguard, and now being involved in a number of sporting and community groups, including terms on the Board of Trustees at Mangawhai Beach School. I enjoy swimming, boxing and paint-ball in my spare time’ says Luke.

At Flashpoint Accounting we aim to deliver a more relationship-based service than many accountancy firms, as this is how we enjoy doing business, and feel that this approach provides the best value to business owners.

Luke is a member of the tax agents institute of New Zealand and adheres to their ethical standards as well as their ongoing educational requirements.

Supporting Luke is a team of customer focused administrators and accountants.

Helen Canton

‘I am Luke’s Mum and as such have been working for him for over 40 years, most of these for no renumeration! However, when Luke started his own accounting practice I drew on my experiences and skills as a Company Accountant and business owner, and assisted Luke when necessary, particularly with GST. As the business grew this progressed into a full-time accounting position circa 2014 — the good thing being he pays me now!’

Veronica Griffin

Veronica left her home in Germany after completing her bachelor’s in business administration to travel the world and ended up staying in New Zealand after falling in love with her fiancé and the country. She joined Flashpoint Accounting in 2019 after working as a bookkeeper for several years and finishing a diploma in accounting. Since then, she’s been supporting Luke with the processing of GST and tax returns.

In her spare time, she enjoys walking her dogs, spending time in her garden and working on realising her dream of owning a lifestyle block.

Philippa Muller

With a background in administration and publicity, primarily for New Zealand’s leading book publishers Philippa brings her strong administration skills to Flashpoint Accounting. She assists with office management and helps provides a client focused service.

‘I enjoy working for Flashpoint Accounting as it gives me a work-life balance — to have the professional interactions and stimulation that my position allows and to also have time to enjoy the outdoors of Magical Mangawhai with my family.’

Sarah Harrild

After completing her BA in English Literature Sarah travelled the world teaching English (TESOL). Whilst holidaying in the UK, Sarah met a handsome Scotsman and spent nearly a decade in Edinburgh, working in retail management. After their daughter was born she and the Scotsman soon tired of wrestling a toddler into a snow suit and decided to relocate to sunny New Zealand. 

In Mangawhai, Sarah has worked for local businesses in customer service, accounts and administration roles. She joined the Flashpoint team in 2020 focussing primarily on GST processing.  

Sarah enjoys getting lost in a good book, hanging out at the beach and walking her rather large dog. 

“Over fifteen years later, we are still with Luke and his team at Flashpoint Accounting.

Flashpoint Accounting has been instrumental in helping me set up my companies and Family Trust over the years.

Whether it be a quick phone call or email, the service provided is great and with ease.Quick responses and friendly reassuring nature of all staff of Flashpoint Accounting allows for a fantastic working relationship. Providing first rate service in all areas of accounting and financial advice.

Luke and his team at Flashpoint Accounting are friendly, yet have a professional working relationship.

I can’t recommend them strongly enough”.

— Michelle Davies – Formation Earthworks