Meet our talented team
We can only do the work we do, because of our amazing team.
We are so fortunate to have a group of like-minded people whose main focus is doing the best they can for you – our valued clients. The advice, support and general all-round “here when you need us” approach makes the Solve team stand out from the pack. From our proactive accountants and business advisors through to our customer service team providing outstanding support, we’ve got you covered. We love to keep things simple and it’s a pleasure for us to share our passion with you.
Our Leaders
Director
Andrew Johnstone
Andrew has worked in the commercial and corporate sectors for over 20 years in New Zealand and overseas, gaining experience as a finance manager, financial controller and CFO. Andrew has previously owned and/or managed a variety of commercial businesses and fully understands what being a business owner entails. Andrew is a member of the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants, a member of Advisory Boards NZ and provides hands-on proactive business advisory services to a wide range of commercial and agri clients.
Get in touch with Andrew
Director
Cath Booth
Cath grew up on a sheep and beef farm near Waimate in South Canterbury. She graduated from the University of Canterbury in 1999 and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2001. Cath started her career with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Christchurch and then went on to work in various management and financial accounting roles in the commercial sector both in New Zealand and overseas. Cath now has a focus on the Agricultural / Dairy sector.
Get in touch with Cath
Director
Nicky Coleman
Nicky grew up in South Canterbury and started her career in accounting straight out of school before taking on university study while working and raising her family. She enjoys the customer relationship side of her position, developing an understanding for her clients businesses. Nicky studied at Lincoln University to obtain a Bachelor of Commerce and Management, and is a Chartered Accountant with the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Get in touch with Nicky
Director
Paul Johnston
Get in touch with Paul
Our Managers
Business Advisory Manager
Courtenay Leonard
Courtenay joined the Solve team having successfully obtained her Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Otago in 2014. A local South Cantabrian and ex Roncalli College student she has an obvious focus of “doing things once and doing them right”. Courtenay is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants and became a Chartered Accountant in 2018.
Client Manager
CG Tang
CG was educated and graduated with BA (Hons) in Accounting (UK). She commenced her professional career in auditing, then progressed into accounting. She has over 35 years of valuable experience in both industries. Her current role as client manager involves her working with a range of clients with different sized business and across a number of industries. She works alongside her clients in providing accounting and taxation support, to assist them achieve the best outcome in their accounting, taxation and statutory compliance obligations. CG values the interaction with her clients. The relationship and trust which has developed over the years is a privilege which motivates her to maintain the highest of standards.
Client Manager
Dee Frank
Born and bred in Taranaki, Dee left school to join the army and moved to Taupo a couple of years later where she found a passion for accounting in 2007. After a few years of farming in Canterbury, Dee and her family decided to settle in Fairlie. Dee has a huge skill set in the accounting field but not only that, she can juggle!
Client Manager
Julia Burgess
Timaru born and bred Julia has had over 30 years’ experience within the accounting industry and enjoys the challenges of working with a wide variety clients including the rural sector. Julia has been an Accounting Technician with Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand since May 2009 currently working towards becoming a Chartered Accountant. Julia studied at Ara Institute to obtain her Diploma in Business and Massey University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Accountancy in 2020.
Client Manager
Karen Johnston
Karen is a true blue ‘Timaruvian’ and has a long association within the accounting sector. Married to Paul, Karen has worked alongside Paul as an Accountant and Practice Manager before merging with Solve. She has a wealth of local knowledge and is passionate about business success and the changing business environments. Karen has been a member with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand since 1997. Karen enjoys biking, walking and travelling to various parts of NZ and the world visiting her three daughters
Business Advisory Manager
Lucy Fennessy
Lucy grew up on her family farm near Pleasant Point, and has over fifteen years’ of experience within the accounting industry. Lucy’s experience includes accountancy work in Dunedin and Timaru, as well as in the United Kingdom. Lucy studied at Otago University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce, and she qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2008.
Human Resources Manager
Laura Handy
Laura was originally part of the Solve team through Solve Human Resources. She has joined us again in July 2019 as a full member of the Solve Chartered Accountants team. Laura grew up in Timaru before heading to Christchurch for around 8 years to study and work. Glad to be back in her home town, Laura is available to assist with our clients Human Resources related queries.
Our Accountants
Accountant
Eden Breen
Accountant
Ethan Robinson
Ethan joined the team in February 2018 as a graduate after spending three years in Christchurch completing a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting at The University of Canterbury. Coming back to his home town, he is looking forward to the challenges involved with the job, gaining practical industry knowledge and skills. In 2021 Ethan became a Chartered Accountant. Ethan enjoys playing football, tennis and other sports outside of work.
Accountant
Ginny Davenport
Ginny worked for a government department for over a decade before taking a break to have a family. She then went on to study at Aoraki Polytechnic where she graduated with a Diploma of Business. She has worked in a local firm for over 13 years while also gaining her Accounting Technician qualification with CAANZ. Ginny is now looking forward to the new challenges and opportunities with Solve.
Accountant
Emily Peattie
Emily joined Solve as a Graduate Accountant in 2023 after graduating from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Commerce.
Emily has an artistic flair, with an interest in painting and gardening which she enjoys indulging in in her spare time.
Born and raised in Timaru, Emily is enjoying being back in the region to start her career.
Accountant
Lauren Fogarty
Lauren is a true Timaruvian, growing up locally and attending Mountainview High School. These days she loves spending her non-accounting hours in the outdoors, camping and playing touch rugby.
Lauren started in an accounting firm straight out of school and studied at Ara while working full time to gain her NZ Diploma in Business. Now, with over 10 years of experience in the accounting field, Lauren is excited to continue to build her knowledge with Solve
Accountant
Maricel Fernando
Maricel joined the team in August 2022. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Accountancy degree in 2002 at the University of the Assumption the Philippines. Maricel has a wide range of experience in general accounting for 18 years in her country. Maricel is facing new challenges and opportunities with Solve, and she is planning to become a Chartered Accountant someday.
Accountant
Meghan McIntosh
Meghan grew up in the mighty Mackenzie on a Deer farm with a few sheep and beef cows too. After school she went straight into the accounting field at a local accounting firm. Meghan is a keen squash player at the local Timaru club and a member of the Mackenzie young farmers. Her experience with agriculture gives Meghan great understanding of farming accounts
Accountant
Rebecca Schaab
Rebecca joined the team at the beginning of 2019. She grew up in South Canterbury and after living abroad for a few years she is now back in Timaru. Rebecca completed her Diploma in Business in 2018 and is currently working towards her Degree and Chartered Accountancy. After working in the fashion industry for 12 years she is looking forward to heading in a new direction with her career and all the challenges it will bring.
Accountant
Rebecca Shackleton
Rebecca has joined Solve after working with the Paul Johnston team for a year. Completing high school in Timaru, Rebecca left and traveled abroad then lived in the United Kingdom for 4 years. Returning home, Rebecca worked in various industries including an administrative role in Livestock Brokering and also learnt to Picture Frame in the family business. Seeking a new challenge, Rebecca made the transition to the Accounting world and is thoroughly enjoying it.
Accountant
Rowena Maynard
Row has been with Solve since the beginning and has over 20 years’ experience within the accounting industry as well as a Diploma in Accountancy and Business. Row enjoys building relationships with clients and getting to know a wide variety of industries. She has a fantastic eye for detail (an important asset to have in this industry). Rowena is a qualified Accounting Technician with CAANZ
Accountant
Stacey Hall
Originally from Geraldine , Stacey has made her home in Timaru. Stacey began her career in Accounting with Paul Johnston before leaving to have a family. Having worked in various fields while her children were younger, Stacey has now been working in Chartered Accounting for five years, joining the Solve team in August 2019.
Accountant
Sally Talbot
Sally grew up locally attending Mountainview High School. After school Sally went onto study social work and then worked as a social worker for ten years before deciding on a career change. After completing her Bachelor of Accountancy at Massey University, Sally joined our Solve team in August 2019. Sally has really enjoyed getting into the reporting side of accounting and looks forward to building up client relationships in the future.
Accountant
Sue McConway
Originally from Blenheim, Sue moved to Waihaorunga, 35km west of Waimate, in 2000 with her husband Erin and children, Rachel & Matt, where they own and run a sheep and beef farm. Sue has a Diploma in Rural Secretarial Practice from Lincoln University, and brings vast amount of experience with her, having worked for over 20 years in various chartered accounting firms and small business administration roles.
Our Business Support Team
Business Support
Joanna Van Sprang
Joanna moved to South Canterbury from Auckland to raise her family in a rural environment, and has been with Solve since the beginning. She is a business support specialist and is a member of both the Payroll and AML teams at Solve. Joanna prides herself on her customer service skills, is a qualified Cordon Bleu chef, and has prior administration experience in a wide range of industries including food manufacturing, and staff recruitment.
Business Support
Laura O’Driscoll
Laura was born and bred in South Canterbury. After attending Roncalli College she trained as a Beauty Therapist and worked in the industry for four years. Laura joined the Solve team at the start of 2017 as Receptionist and now enjoys her new role managing workflow and office support.
Reception
Rose Cooper
You will find Rose as our friendly first point of contact in the office. Rose is a Timaru local who has recently returned from 11 years living in Australia. She is looking forward to settling back into life in Timaru, spending time with friends and whanau and enjoying what our beautiful country has to offer including NZ fish and chips!
Business Support