May 2025

Keep up-to-date with us and what's happening in the education sector

• 2024 Annual Accounts
• Important Notices
• Xero Tip of the Month: Attach File Now Available in New Fixed Assets
• Free Native Seed Kits

• Seeking School Accounting Advisor to Join Our Team

• Looking ahead

As the auditors are currently in the process of finalising the last of the audits, it's important to note that the statutory filing deadline of 31 May 2025 is fast approaching. To ensure that the audit is completed within the specified timeframe, we encourage you to address any queries from the auditors promptly.

When you receive the annual reports for signing, please ensure that they are signed and returned to the auditors as quickly as possible. If the annual report has not yet been cleared by the auditors, please have the Principal and Board Chair on standby. We can facilitate electronic signing of the reports if either the Principal or Board Chair are away.

Please ensure that the Principal and Board Chair use the same date on the signing page, and that the letter of representation is dated the same.

After receiving the audited (stamped) annual accounts back from the auditors, please remember to combine the annual accounts, audit opinion and other mandatory reports into one document before uploading to the Ministry using the School Planning and Reporting Application. We recommend using tools such as Adobe Writer or ilovepdf.com to combine the documents. 

You also need to upload a copy of the combined reports to the School website. Please refer to the MOE guidelines below with regards to posting documents online, especially around redacting signatures and identifying data.

Reminder: Change in submission process for annual reports:

From 1 May, the process for submitting your annual report has changed. You must now submit your 2024 annual report using the new School Planning and Reporting Application. This system offers a clearer view of the documents you’ve submitted and uses your Education Sector Logon (ESL) for access.

To use the new application, please contact your delegated authoriser to request access. For more information about ESL, how to log in, and accessing the login, click the buttons below

Please note that submissions will no longer be accepted through the Secure Data Portal (SDP). To access additional guidance on the new submission process click the button below. 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

Pourato 2025 confirmed staffing entitlement published:

A reminder that your confirmed staffing entitlement is now available in Pourato. To access it, go to ‘staffing’ on the navigation bar and select ‘staffing entitlement’.   

Can you then please export the entitlement notice as an excel file and upload it to google drive - MOE Grant Advices - Staffing Entitlement folder?

If your school's roll has increased and stayed at that level for 5 school days, you can request a staffing increase.

To learn more, click the button below.

XERO TIP OF THE MONTH: ATTACH FILE NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW FIXED ASSETS

Great news! Xero’s fixed asset section just got an upgrade!

You’ll now enjoy a cleaner, more accessible, and responsive interface—making it easier than ever to manage your assets. All the familiar features are still there, and you can now attach files directly to your fixed asset records for improved documentation and tracking.

How to Attach a File:

1. Navigate to Fixed Assets: In the Xero accounting menu, select "Fixed assets". 
2. Open Asset Details: Click on the asset number to view the asset details. 
3. Attach Files: Click the "Attach files" button located on the right hand side of the page.
4. Upload or Drag and Drop: You can either click "Upload files" to select a file from your device or simply drag and drop a file into the upload area. Attachments could be a copy of the bill or a photo of the asset.
5. Save Changes: Click "Save as draft" or "Register" to save the changes.

Extra tip: You can also attach files to assets that have already been registered—making it even easier to keep your records accurate and up to date.

FREE NATIVE SEED KITS

After attending the NZ Principals Federation Conference in late 2024, we’ve done a stocktake and found a surplus of unopened Native Seed Kits — and we’d love to share them with our schools!

These kits are an awesome way to get students involved in environmental education and support sustainability initiatives in your school community.

If you're interested in receiving some kits, simply email us at marketing@afsl.nz with your preferred quantity, and we’ll arrange a convenient time for you to pick them up from our location. Please note: this offer is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

SEEKING SCHOOL ACCOUNTING ADVISOR TO JOIN OUR TEAM

Due to the increased level of support we’re providing to schools, we’re seeking a Schools Accounting Advisor to join our great team. We’re looking for someone with an accounting background, excellent interpersonal skills, and we’re open to either part-time or full-time hours.

If you know someone in the wider school community who may be looking to return to work, explore a new direction, or simply wants to help schools make the most of every dollar, please have them get in touch with Allison (allison@afsl.nz) or Ben (ben@afsl.nz). We’d love to have a chat about what the role involves.

271 Willis Street, Wellington 6011

P: 04-909-7729  l  P: 0800-275-237  l  

E: admin@afsl.nz  l  W: afsl.nz

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