Dunedin

Welcome to Sidekick Dunedin – your local team of accounting professionals, combining the latest in Xero cloud technology with a deep understanding of the Otago business landscape. As Xero Platinum Partners, we help Dunedin businesses succeed with proactive, future-focused accounting solutions that go beyond the numbers. 

Whether you're a tech startup in the city, a hospitality business in the Octagon, or a tradie in Mosgiel, we're here to support your growth with real-time financial insights, tailored software tools, and expert advice that helps you stay ahead. 

At Sidekick Dunedin, we speak your language, understand your challenges, and work alongside you to make business easier. If you're looking for a modern, approachable team of Dunedin accountants who genuinely care, let's chat – and discover the Sidekick you need. 

We invite you to book an appointment, pick up the phone, shoot us an email or drop by for a chat. Or, you can just fill in the form below to send us a message directly.

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  • How to get clients Sidekick feature in Acuity Mag 2026

Sidekick feature in Acuity Mag

July 13th, 2026|

Sidekick recognised for our approach to digital marketing We were pretty excited to see Sidekick mentioned in Acuity Magazine’s recent article, ‘How to Find New Clients’, alongside three other accounting firms standing out in ..

  • Sidekick accountants & advisors Richard Wheeler and Brett Woofindin on farm with dairy and crop farming client.

Investment Boost refresher for NZ farms and businesses

July 9th, 2026|

Investment boost extended: What New Zealand businesses need to know If you’re thinking about investing in your business, the Government’s Investment Boost could help improve your cashflow when purchasing eligible assets. As part of ..

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    Meet the Dunedin Team

    Tyler Lapham is a Chartered Accountant and Director of Sidekick Dunedin
    Chartered Accountant

    Tyler Lapham
    Ric Thorpe is the CEO of Sidekick Holdings
    CEO

    Ric Thorpe
    Project Coordinator

    Helen Pauley
    Brand Manager

    Steph Holt
    General Administrator

    Manoli De Silva
    Chartered Accountant

    Tyler Lapham

    Tyler is a Director at Sidekick Dunedin, helping business owners build something that supports the life they actually want.
     
    A Chartered Accountant with over a decade’s experience, Tyler joined Sidekick in August 2025. He works mainly with business owners in their 20s, 30s and 40s who have growth aspirations and want more from both their business and their life.
     
    Clients often come to Tyler when they want more than a set of accounts. They want compliance done properly, but they also want advice on the bigger calls: growth, structure, pricing, cashflow, hiring, buying, selling and how to build a business without losing their life outside work. Tyler helps turn the numbers into plain English, using clear, visual reporting and practical advice to show clients what their numbers mean and what to do next.
     
    His style is friendly, reliable and straight-talking. Tyler enjoys the forward-looking conversations: where clients want to go, what needs to change and how to make the next move with confidence. He believes accountants should be year-round partners, not once-a-year costs, and that the real value is in the conversations that help business owners feel clearer and more in control.
     
    For Tyler, this work is personal. He has been where many of his clients are now, starting a business from scratch, worrying about cashflow, working out how to price properly and feeling the pressure of making it work for his family. That experience shapes the way he works: taking the time to understand not just the business, but the person and family behind it.
     
    Outside work, Tyler is family first, spending time with his young daughter, often at the park or the pool. Basketball comes a close second. He still plays Men’s A grade in Dunedin after more than 20 years in the game, and supports the local basketball community through sponsorship of Basketball Otago, the Otago Nuggets and the Hoiho team.

    :CA, DipGrad, BCom

    CEO

    Ric Thorpe

    Ric is CEO of Sidekick Holdings, helping grow the Sidekick group while supporting our offices, people and clients to be more successful.

    Ric has been involved with Sidekick since 2010 and became CEO in early 2025. His background sits across business growth, marketing, sales, strategy, technology and client experience rather than traditional accounting. This gives Ric a different lens within the accounting world, with a focus on helping business owners make better decisions, understand where they are heading and connect the right advice, people and systems around them.

    Ric works closely with ambitious business owners, growing SMEs, regional businesses and people who are trying to build something bigger or better. He also spends a lot of time with accounting firm owners, partners and leaders who are thinking about growth, succession, joining Sidekick or building a stronger future for their team and clients.

    Clients often come to Ric for clarity, growth ideas, a fresh perspective and honest conversations about what needs to change. He helps people work through growth decisions, marketing and sales opportunities, technology, AI and automation, leadership, succession and turning loose ideas into practical plans. Ric is especially good at joining the dots between marketing, sales, systems, people and numbers, helping business owners focus on the things that will really move the dial.

    His style is straight-talking, energetic and practical. Ric likes big-picture thinking, but he is always focused on turning ideas into action. For him, good advice should make business feel clearer, less lonely and more manageable. He believes business owners do not need more noise – they need clarity, confidence and practical help from people who genuinely want them to win.

    Outside work, Ric enjoys spending time with family, cars and motorbikes, travel, good food, coffee and finding interesting places. He is naturally curious and enjoys learning about new ideas, technology, business models and people. Ric has also been involved in community and charity activities, including running 50km for Life Education Trust Canterbury, and is interested in supporting young people, business owners and regional communities where Sidekick can make a positive difference.

    Project Coordinator

    Helen Pauley

    Helen is a Marlburian who has travelled the world and landed back here. Having a varied work life from managing a regional office for a multi-national advertising firm, owning a hospitality business to practice management of a medical practice, Helen brings a bucket load of skills. Communication is her flag ship skill and she enjoys problem solving. Resourceful and fun, pretty much sums her up.

    She is married to Gary, who is a Business Advisor and in their spare time they love to travel to family & friends, experience the great outdoors and discovering new recipes and flavours, accompanied by a glass of fine wine.

    :NZCC, NZIM Cert in Supervision

    Brand Manager

    Steph Holt

    Steph is the creative mind behind Sidekick’s brand – making sure everything from marketing campaigns to internal events reflects who we are and what we stand for. With over 15 years of experience in design and strategy, she loves finding fresh, meaningful ways to bring the Sidekick story to life. From shaping how our brand looks and feels to creating moments that connect our team and clients, Steph brings a mix of curiosity, energy, and heart to everything she does.

    Outside of work, Steph enjoys spending time with her teenage son, road-tripping in her self-converted campervan and tending to her ever-growing veggie patch – a creative outlet that balances her busy, design-filled days.

    General Administrator

    Manoli De Silva

    Manoli keeps the team running smoothly, making sure all the day-to-day details are taken care of. She has a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of London and a master’s in international relations from the University of Colombo, she has worked across law firms, UN agencies, and the government sector. Her experience in different environments gives her a strong eye for detail and a knack for keeping things organised and on track.

    A massive foodie, Manoli loves cooking and trying out new restaurants. She also enjoys running and staying active, and likes to unwind with a good book and a glass of wine. Most of all, she treasures spending time with her husband and their two young daughters. 

    :LLB   | MAIR