Rick Johnston
Rick has over 30 years accounting experience with 12 of those years as a partner with Grant Thornton, a large international accounting practice. Rick has in-depth experience in business re-organisation, and structural alignment of entities to accommodate the needs of owners. Rick is a trustee and director for various clients and acts as an advisor in this capacity.
Willy Johnston
Willy is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years accounting experience in New Zealand, initially with Spicer & Oppenheim as well as 3 years as a partner with Christmas Gouwland Limited. Willy also has 3 years “Offshore Company & Trust” experience in the Cook Islands & British Virgin Islands. Willy specialises in business structuring, operations management and financial management for an extensive list of clients ranging from professional athletes, to general business entities, to Iwi organisations. Willy is a Government appointed trustee of National Pacific Radio Trust and is also a member of the UNITEC Business Advisory Board.
Logan Granger
Logan has over 25 years’ experience as a Chartered Accountant. His client base covers a wide range of industries, businesses, professions, including not for profits. Logan and his team offer strategic and advisory board services, budgeting and cash flow reviews, business valuations, due diligence, business sales and acquisitions, bank funding proposals, they also work in support of clients and their legal counsel on matters such as disputes, forensics, relationship property and estate matters. The team like to ensure clients develop internal processes and systems to grow their business in a managed and structured way. As a team they work across a range of software products and services to help businesses with their reporting and management.
Rupit Kshatriya
Rupit is a Chartered Accountant with more than 15 years experience having worked at a senior level with Grant Thornton prior to joining Johnston Associates Chartered Accountants Limited. Rupit manages a broad range of clients in a variety of business sectors such as hospitality, medical professionals, horticulture, property investors, IT industry, insurance and Iwi organisation. He has been involved in a number of business valuations, financing proposals with the banks, business due diligence, and advising clients on the sale or purchase of a business. Rupit completed a Bachelor of Management Studies in Accounting & Information Systems with Honours.
Liam Afitu
Liam is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years experience, and has established a diverse client base, ranging from general business entities, arts and culture, to non-for-profit organisations.
Liam is a proud Samoan, first generation born, whose parents migrated and settled in Grey Lynn in the 60s. This foundation instilled in him a strong work ethic and always, the importance or aiga (family).
E leai se mea e sili atu i lo lo’u aiga – nothing is more important than your family.
Liam likes to take a holistic approach to his work, which is centred around ‘people first, not just the numbers’ and welcomes clients as part of the Johnston family. By understanding his client’s goals, he works to build a plan and foundation that will not only cover their standard accounting needs, but more importantly, add value to their business.
Utilising his knowledge and expertise over the years, Liam’s aim has always been to deliver successful outcomes for his clients, their own aiga, and the wider community.
Ashwin Kumar
Ashwin completed his tertiary qualification at Auckland University and is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years’ experience across a variety of accounting and business advisory roles, having worked in both Commercial and CA firms.
Beginning his career as an Auditor he has gradually ventured into a Business and General Taxation Advisory Role across a variety of business sectors including not for profit organisations. Using his experience in Audit and Accounting Ashwin delivers robust solutions at both an internal practice level and externally to clients.
Ashwin is a fan of open communication and is committed to forming close partnerships with his clients with an aim to use his expertise to add value to each specific situation.
Outside of work, Ashwin is an avid sports enthusiast, an aviation aficionado and enjoys travelling with his family.
James Johnston
James is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years’ experience across a wide range of sectors and services. James has previously worked with a large international accounting practice both here in New Zealand and overseas.
With a focus on understanding clients’ goals and drawing on experience across sectors including diversified investment groups, retail, hospitality, technology and property James seeks to match a depth of technical and business knowledge to practical solutions for his clients.
Guy Graham
Guy has worked as a chartered accountant for the last 8 years. Graduating from Otago University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Commerce (Accountancy & Finance majors), Guy was admitted to the Chartered Accountants ANZ as a practicing member in 2018 and has completed the public practice (CPP) program. Originally from Gisborne, Guy grew up on a sheep and beef farm and has a passion for the rural sector & primary industries. Guy advises a wide range of clients in a variety of business sectors such as property development, construction, agriculture & horticulture, forestry, hospitality, and portfolio investments.
Guy is passionate about building solid business relationships and delivering a high level of client service for all his clients. Guys expertise includes tax compliance & advisory, business structuring, financial modeling, portfolio investment taxation, succession planning, & trust taxation. He is a regular member of the CAANZ Trust & Tax Special interest groups.
From January 2023, Guy will be leading the Gisborne office and we look forward to supporting Guy to build a new client base, and we know his depth of experience in commercial accounting will be an asset to the East Coast business community.