Building and Construction Accounting | Cross Group
Building and construction

Accounting, tax and advisory for builders who want control of cash and margin

We help Canterbury building and construction businesses stay bank-ready, price with confidence, and keep reporting clean enough to make decisions quickly.

  • Cashflow forecasting that matches project timing and payment realities
  • Management reporting that shows what is making money and what is leaking it
  • Systems and process improvements so admin stops eating evenings

Built for busy operators

We keep it practical. You get clear next steps, tidy numbers, and a cadence that keeps the business under control without turning you into an accountant.

Common triggers
Retentions, progress claims, GST timing, thin margins, messy Xero, bank questions.
Talk to the team

What you get with Cross Group

Three outcomes we aim for with every construction client.

Grounded cashflow

Forecasts that reflect real payment terms, retentions, and project staging.

  • Clear visibility on tight months before they arrive
  • Tax and GST timing built into the plan

Margin clarity

Reporting that makes it obvious where you are winning and where you are bleeding.

  • Better job and project insight
  • Pricing confidence backed by numbers

Systems that keep up

Workflows that reduce rework and keep your admin load sane.

  • Xero and app stack tuned for your business
  • Less mess at year end and fewer surprises

How we help building and construction businesses

All services are available to every client, tailored to your size and complexity.

Common challenges we see

  • Retentions and progress claims creating cash pressure
  • GST and tax surprises landing at the worst time
  • Margins unclear because coding and reporting are inconsistent
  • Admin processes relying on one person and breaking under load
  • Bank reporting and funding conversations feeling painful

What we deliver

  • Annual accounts, income tax, GST and payroll (clean and on time)
  • Management reporting and business advisory
  • Cashflow forecasting and budgeting
  • Systems review, app stack, and process improvement
  • Tax planning, structure, and bank-ready reporting packs

Examples of what we fix

Realistic scenarios, anonymised, based on the kind of work we do every week.

Cashflow rescue without panic

Progress claims were fine, but the timing was not. We staged cashflow, rebuilt the weekly plan, and tightened debtor follow up so the business stopped lurching between “fine” and “on fire”.

Margin clarity that changed pricing

The business was busy but profits were skinny. We cleaned coding, introduced simple monthly reporting, and highlighted which work types were underpriced. Pricing got fixed, margin followed.

Bank-ready reporting pack

When funding discussions came up, we already had the numbers in a clean format. The conversation moved from “explain the mess” to “here is the plan”.

Meet your contacts

Talk to people who understand construction cashflow, reporting discipline, and systems that work in the real world.

Fraser Howard

Fraser Howard

Senior Accountant

  • Cashflow staging and forecasting for project timing
  • Management reporting that keeps decisions grounded
  • Plain-English advice when the numbers matter
Phone: +64 3 214 2122
Justine Newsome

Justine Newsome

Finance and Systems Specialist

  • Practical systems that keep project reporting tidy
  • Forecasting and budgeting that works in reality
  • Process improvements that reduce admin load
Phone: +64 3 214 2122
Kimberley Stanley

Kimberley Stanley

Administrator

  • Smooth onboarding and document flow so work starts quickly
  • Keeps requests moving so deadlines do not sneak up
  • Friendly, responsive support that keeps things organised
Phone: +64 3 214 2122

How it works

1) Quick discovery

We learn the shape of the business, your current systems, and what is driving pressure.

2) Clean-up and plan

We tidy the foundations, fix reporting, then build a plan for cashflow, tax, and delivery.

3) Ongoing rhythm

Monthly reporting and advisory, forecasting updates, and systems that keep the business moving.

FAQs

What areas do you service?

Our main focus is Canterbury and Southland but we work with clients all over the country. If you have good people and a solid business, location is rarely the blocker.

Can you help if our Xero is messy?

Yes. We can clean up coding and reconciliations, set better workflows, and get reporting back to something you can trust.

Do you do forecasting and budgeting?

Yes. We build forecasts that reflect project timing, payment terms, GST, and tax, then keep them updated as things change.

Can you help with bank reporting and funding?

Yes. We create bank-ready reporting packs and can support you through refinance or funding conversations with clear numbers and a plan.

Tell us about your business

Answer a few questions and we will get in touch to confirm fit and next steps.

If it looks like we can genuinely help, we will be in touch within one business day.