Who are Xebra?
Our Purpose.
Xebra Tax Accounting “Xebra” are passionate about ‘Giving people with Small Businesses a fast, friendly and informative, accounting and tax compliance service that gives you ‘Total peace of mind’.
Xebra has recently heavily invested in several technologies that, when combined, offer our customers a service that is second to none in the Accounting and tax compliance world. Because of these technologies we can produce Financial reports and GST returns within days of month/year end and at a lower cost, which we pass directly on to our customers.
A Little History.
Xebra was launched in November 2014 by Christopher Stent in Christchurch, New Zealand. Chris was originally trained in the United Kingdom and still is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Christopher has over 30 years experience working with small businesses. We currently only offer our services to businesses based in New Zealand, but we do have plans to expand our service offering to the UK in 2018 and beyond.
Christopher is passionate about massively improving the Accounting Industry to better serve Business Owners with an efficient and friendly tax compliance service where the customer truly is put first.
Our Team.
Xebra’s experienced team takes advantage of the efficiencies that online accounting software provides. Working closely with Xero, Xebra has streamlined their processes to offer industry leading lower costs.
The introduction of shareholders that are committed to the business model and brand has positioned Xebra at the forefront of the rapidly changing world of accounting and tax compliance.
Meet Our XebraTax Team…
A bit about Chris;
Christopher founded Xebra in 2014, with a passion to adopt industry leading technology, that truly puts customers at the forefront of every thing we do. The technology allows this to be provided at industry leading value for money.
Christopher qualified as a Chartered Accountant in the UK and has over 30 years experience working with owner managed businesses.Two roles as Chief Financial Officer in rapidly growing organisations taught him the information a business owner needs to have at their ‘finger tips’.
With over 10 years (in the UK and New Zealand) experience with one of the World’s largest accounting firms provides him with a unique commercial experience.
What are you passionate about; Christopher is passionate that all business owners, the backbone of our economy, what ever their size deserve timely and accurate financial information to help run their businesses, without costing the earth.
Our customer’s knowing in real time their tax obligations is central to this. Xero is an integral part of Xebra.
Pet Dislikes; Christopher’s pet hate is surprises!
Something that no-one else knows about you; I play a very mean game of Croquet…
A bit about Neil Sinclair:
“My Purpose and passion is to be ‘A Liberator of Abundance!” through helping small businesses develop. I am also a family man and have been married to my childhood sweetheart for over 30 years.
Neil served 18.5 years in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) where he was heavily involved in training, development and management roles throughout his career.
During his military career Neil studied for and passed a Business Degree majoring in Marketing and Advanced Strategic Management.
It was during this time that Neil developed his passion and vision toward helping Small Businesses thrive as this is the backbone of ever successful and stable economy.
After leaving the RNZAF in 2001, Neil invested in his own business as a Professional Business Coach and quickly grew his business. In 2003, he was offered the opportunity to move to the UK and launch the same business model there.
Neil moved to the UK in 2003 and over the next 11 years he helped grow this business up to over 100 team members in the UK and then sold it in 2014.
Neil has returned to New Zealand, working in the business development industry and has accepted the opportunity to work with Xebra Accounting to help change the Accounting Industry to better serve Small Businesses.
Hobbies: I enjoy my cycling, travel, watching International Rugby (All Blacks) and I do a lot of personal/professional development
Pet Dislikes; People whom are always late. I find it very disrespectful of others’ time.
We get to live on average just over 4000 weeks on the planet. Use it wisely!
Something few people know about me; I was adopted as an infant and I played Representative Level Rugby League with my biological half-brother for 3 years, without us knowing we were related. We found out several years later! Spooky…’Raises interesting questions about ‘Nature vs Nurture’!
Professional Background: My professional career has seen me working for many years in banking and finance in roles ranging from Commercial Lending Consultant, Branch Manager to National Training Manager. 
I have been at XebraTax since its inception.
My previous work experience includes, 5 years accounts clerk Boon’s Bakery (Quality Bakers), 7 years accounting technician with KPMG, 4 years self employed office manager in our family business and 7 years accounts manager with Earth Sea Sky Ltd (outdoor performance clothing created and made in NZ).
My early professional career was in banking for 15 years. I have had experience in most facets of banking with the latter years predominantly in lending. I then worked in my family business of 20 years managing the day to day administration and finances. This has given me an insight into the challenges of running and growing a small business.
I came to NZ over 8 years ago after finishing my stint in the newspaper industry overseas.
Having worked in banking for most part of my time in the North and South Island, it was time to try something new and exciting.
Hence, XEBRA Tax is my new ‘second home’ now and I get a chance to work with some wonderful people. Look forward to helping small businesses meet their accounting service needs through XEBRA Tax.
I love the outdoors so in my free time, I am out and about discovering nature or I could be seen cycling up and down a mountain biking track.
My motto in life: “Be happy and think positive”.
Words of widsom to anyone is “be humble and be yourself.” Goes a long way.
Professional background: I have a strong customer focused background, I have worked predominantly in the transport industry working with Recovery vehicles as well as the Taxi Industry.
My employment with Xebra commenced in August 2015 and was immediately impressed with the knowledge and passion that the staff showed, this has encouraged me to develop skills specific to the accounting industry including obtaining my Xero Certification.
Hobbies: I love to cook, especially sweet treats however at the moment I am obsessed with my garden so am trying to introduce as much fresh produce into my repetoire as possible.
I am passionate about a great cup of coffee; in my mind there is very little that cannot be solved over a coffee, except maybe a case of insomnia.
I also love languages and have set myself a goal to learn Hello and Thank You in as many languages as possible.
Pet Dislikes: Poor Manners.
One more thing No-one else knows about me: By the time I was 3 years old, as a product of being an “Airforce Brat”, I could identify a plane by the sound of its engine.