The butcher, the bacon maker, the hotel owner and the accountant
Bluewater Hotel
Case study
In 1974 Napier butcher Rodney Green sought the advice of a local accountant Kevin Beasley, and so began a professional relationship with the firm that has lasted over 30 years.
Rodney soon moved on from the butcher shop, buying a quarter share in a local bacon factory, which then had a turnover of less than $100,000. By the time he sold the bacon business three years ago, Rodney had grown it into a company with a turnover of twenty million dollars per annum, employing 200 staff.
Meanwhile, through a series of mergers, Kevin Beasley’s firm ultimately became PricewaterhouseCoopers. Kevin moved to the Auckland office in 1988 and Napier partner John McCorkindale began handling Rodney’s business.
Rodney explains why the relationship with PwC has endured over such a long period of time:
“PwC has played an important part in every business I’ve been involved in, but it’s not just about financial advice. I’d say the real reason that it’s lasted so long is our rapport with PwC people. John knows me personally and he knows my businesses. I can talk to him about my ideas. I regard him as a mentor and trust him to tell me what risks are worth taking and which are not. I can trust John to deal directly with my solicitor if he needs to because he knows exactly what I want and where I’m going.”
After selling the bacon factory Rodney, who was already involved with a number of businesses, built a motel in Napier and bought the Bluewater Hotel on the Ahuriri waterfront. Before the opportunity to buy came up Rodney had been thinking about semi-retirement, but when he and John looked carefully at the figures they decided it was too good an opportunity to pass up. After setting up management systems at Bluewater Hotel with the help of PwC and getting fully involved in the Hotel/Tourist sector, the opportunity came up to purchase the Quality Inn, a 60 bedroom Hotel on the Napier Marine Parade. Again, after input from PwC, the Hotel was purchased. "As part of the overall tourist package we have available limo hire including a stretched Hummer, boat charters and put put golf ."
Rodney confesses that he is big on detail.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s the accounting system, or the way the napkins are folded. If the details are right the bigger picture takes care of itself. As far as our accounting system goes we administer the basics in-house, but I know that I can rely on PwC to put the necessary checks and balances in place.
“I’ve recommended PwC to many people looking for financial advice, but I also tell them that there’s no point in seeking advice if you’re not prepared to lay everything out on the table. That’s the sort of relationship we have and it’s worked brilliantly for nearly 30 years.”
