MEET THE TEAM
Find out more about the staff at Synergy Accountants Whakatāne
Chartered accounting, tax, and advisory services for small businesses, primary producers, professionals, and investors.
Our Expert Team
Judy Watson - Director
With over 40 years of experience in the accounting profession, Judy brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as Director of the practice.
For the majority of Judy’s career, she has been the technical manager, resulting in having very in-depth knowledge and expertise in all areas of taxation and business advisory, including trust and company structures, buying, selling and restructuring businesses.
Judy holds a double major in accounting and computer science and has maintained a strong interest in computer technology. She continues to embrace digital tools to deliver efficient, tailored outcomes for our clients.
Always having a love of horses, in recent years Judy has taken an interest in the Kaimanawa Heritage Horses, having had the privilege of spending time on the Waiouru Army Base, photographing these remarkable horses in the wild.
Paul Nicolson - Director
Paul, together with his business partner, Judy Watson, formed Synergy Accountants in 2017. Paul’s role is focused on setting the strategy for the business, monitoring and refining that strategy, attracting new clients, and ensuring that we serve our client base in a timely and efficient manner. He is tasked with offering our specialist Accounting and Tax expertise in a value-driven manner.
In his role as Practice Manager, Paul is responsible for ensuring that our team work collaboratively in our Whakatāne office or remotely, whether it be in Awakaponga, Coatesville, or Papamoa.
Before forming Synergy Accountants, Paul enjoyed a successful 30-year career as a Stockbroker in Auckland, including 10 years on the trading floor prior to becoming a Partner in Buttle Wilson Ltd, and following the sale of that business he was a Director of UBS NZ New Zealand for 12 years until his retirement in 2007.
Paul relocated from Auckland to beautiful Ōhope Beach in 2008 and outside of work enjoys golf, travel, food, and wine.
Jenny Paterson - Manager
As a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience (40 years) in the accounting industry, Jenny enjoys providing a variety of services to our clients.
As part of the Synergy team, Jenny focuses on delivering clear advice, reliable solutions, and the confidence our clients need in their numbers to make sound business decisions.
Jenny lives in Auckland on a lifestyle block and travels both to the Whakatāne office and to clients, especially those in the Waikato and BOP. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, fishing, skiing, aqua and relaxing at home with family and friends.
Karen Simonsen - Senior Accountant
Karen has a special interest in working with clients in the medical profession and has supported some of these clients for the past 27 years. With decades of experience working in accountancy firms in Whakatāne she divides her time between here and Papamoa.
When Karen is not working or travelling between her two homes, she enjoys spending time in the garden or baking and catching up with family in the Waikato.
Caroline Jensen - Senior Accountant
Caroline brings a depth of knowledge and a practical approach to helping clients navigate their financial and business needs.
As a Senior Accountant, with over 30 years in the industry, she values building strong, long-term relationships with clients and enjoys working closely with them to provide tailored advice and support.
A Mum to three sons - two of whom live in Auckland, while the youngest is in his final year of high school. Outside of work, Caroline enjoys spending time with friends and unwinding at home.
Rae Tee - Client Manager
You may have met Rae our Client Manager. With over 30 year experience in chartered accountancy businesses, she continues to enjoy all aspects of the work.
Rae particularly enjoys solving problems and building strong client relationships as well as Paul’s coffee shouts. Now that she is semi-retired the balance between work and leisure means she can enjoy the challenges and stimulation of work, while having the freedom to make the most of her spare time.
Rae’s leisure activities include time away in the summer in her old and trusty 1993 camper with friends and family, relaxing at home in the garden or at the beach nearby. She loves to travel both within New Zealand and overseas.
Wendy Johnson - Front Desk and Administration
Wendy is the short person at the front desk, you may not see her, but you will hear her!
She has worked in Chartered Accountants offices in both Australia and New Zealand, doing reception and general administration, attending to Company and Trust Administration duties together with administrative support for the Managers and Accounting team.
When Wendy is not in the office, you will often see her out walking, cycling, fishing, at the gym or socialising.
Raewyn Hartstone - Administrator & Bookkeeper
With a strong background in office management and a keen eye for detail, Raewyn supports our clients and the practice with a wide range of administrative and bookkeeping duties. She’s usually found processing monthly creditors, managing client invoicing and payroll, and assisting with the day-to-day accounts and operations of the practice.
Before joining Synergy Accountants, she worked as the office manager for her husband’s trade business, building a solid foundation in business administration and customer service.
Outside of work, Raewyn enjoys time with her husband, walking Pinot and his “partners in crime”, along with relaxing in nature. She values spending time at home, fussing with her horses, or catching up with family and friends.
Pinot - Office Dog & Chief Mischief Officer (Part-Time)
Pinot would much rather be out in the wild chasing rabbits, rolling in mysterious smells, and generally getting up to no good. But on the days he's summoned to the office, he dutifully reports for undercover duty – usually curled up under his Mum’s desk, where he can nap undisturbed (most of the time).
Don’t be fooled by his quiet demeanour – given half a chance, Pinot would be waltzing around the office, charming everyone with his signature tricks and irresistible grin.
But he knows the routine: keep it low-key, stay incognito, and save the mischief for after hours. He may not answer emails (or anything, really), but he brings a calm presence, a touch of chaos, and a lot of love to the team.
Giving back to the community
Synergy, and its directors Judy & Paul are both heavily involved in the local community.
Judy is Treasurer of the Awakaponga Public Hall Board whilst Paul is a Trustee of the Eastern Bay Community Foundation with whom we share our office. For the past three years, he has also been Convenor of the Whakatane Rotary Club’s Annual Golf Tournament which raises funds for Rotary’s Youth, Community, & Wellbeing projects in Whakatane.
Synergy makes a monthly contribution towards the operating costs of the Eastern Bay Community Foundation, and is a Corporate Sponsor of the Annual Life Education Trust EBOP Duck Race. Recently, Synergy supported the Whakatane High First Eleven Girls Hockey team in a regional tournament, the Whakatane/Trident High School’s Hillary Challenge, and were a race sponsor for a Whakatane Rowing Club team earlier in the year.
Contact us
Call us: 07 308 4414
Email us: pauln@synergyaccountants.co.nz
Visit us: 15 George Street, Whakatāne
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