Our People
Our Accounting Gurus
Trudi Ballantyne
F.C.A | P.P | Director
Trudi grew up on a dairy farm just north of Whangarei. She went to Northland Polytechnic to attain her Chartered Accounting qualification. Trudi is married to Pete and they have two grown children. They moved to Te Puke in 2001 where she started working at Stem. In 2003 Trudi became a partner and in 2012 became the sole owner of the business, until April 2014 when Martin also joined Trudi as an owner.
Dairy Farm accounting is a real passion for Trudi. She has been able to take the practical knowledge gained from growing up on a dairy farm and apply that when talking to her clients. Trudi sees an important role is to come up with practical and innovative solutions to help her clients through the challenges and joys of owning and operating a business.
During her spare time Trudi enjoys reading, relaxing by the beach and exploring in her campervan.
2016 saw Trudi awarded with the prestigious Fellowship Award by CAANZ. The award recognises members who are role models for trusted leadership in business and finance.
Xero Advisor Certified
Figured Certified Advisor
Email: [email protected]
Martin Pipe
C.A | P.P | Director
Martin grew up on a dairy farm in the small farming community of Reporoa before moving to Hamilton to attend the University of Waikato. After completing a Bachelor of Management Studies he started his Chartered Accounting career at Staples Rodway Hamilton, where he gained entry to the Chartered Accountants (C.A) College. Martin joined Stem in 2012.
His passion for chartered accountancy lies in assisting clients to develop and grow their business. The arrival of cloud technology has changed the playing field for small business and Chartered Accountants. This technology allows easy interaction for clients where regular engagement with them stimulates growth and profitability within their business.
Martin enjoys family time with his two young daughters, listening to music, mountain biking, water sports and getting to the mountain with the snowboard.
Xero Advisor Certified
Email: [email protected]
Nick Cole
C.A | P.P | Director
Nick joined the team in February 2015. He graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University with a Degree in Accounting and Finance. Nick qualified as a Chartered Accountant in April 2019 and became a Director of Stem in May 2019.
Nick’s first career in the UK was working in a national telecommunications company as a fibre optic engineer and then as a contracts manager.
On arriving in New Zealand twenty-two ago Nick initially worked on his brother-in-laws dairy farm in the Waikato for a season and then spent time relief milking. He then joined a local Putaruru rural accounting firm before moving on to Tauranga.
Nick specialises with Xero add-on software such as Figured & Syft.
In his spare time Nick enjoys caravanning, motorcycling & walking up Pap Hills.
Xero Advisor Certified
Figured Certified Advisor
Spotlight Reporting Certified Advisor
Email: [email protected]
The Go-To Team
Nikki Baguley
C.A | Senior Accountant
Nikki joined Stem in November 2018. She graduated from Waikato University with a Bachelor of Management Studies degree.
Nikki started her career at Deloitte in Hamilton where she gained her Chartered Accountants qualification before transferring to the Deloitte office in London. On returning from London Nikki has been based in the Eastern Bay of Plenty area and has worked for Chartered Accountancy practices in Whakatane before moving to Tauranga.
In her spare time Nikki loves walking, travelling the playing bridge.
Xero Advisor Certified
Email: [email protected]
Tracy Grainger
A.C.A | Senior Accountant
Tracy joined us in January 2019 as a Senior Accountant. She has over 30 years of experience with Chartered Accountancy firms in New Zealand, during which she has achieved her qualification as an Associate Chartered Accountant.
In her spare time Tracy enjoys tending to her garden oasis.
Xero Advisor Certified
Email: [email protected]
Hayley McCready
Senior Accountant
Hayley joined Stem as a Senior Accountant in November 2020. She came from a Chartered Accountancy firm in Tauranga who she was with for 14 years.
Hayley lives in Tauranga with her 3 young daughters.
In her spare time Hayley enjoys socialising with her friends, walking and spending time at the family bach in Omaio.
Xero Advisor Certified
Email: [email protected]
Addi McCarthy
C.A | Accountant
Addi joined Stem in February 2025.
She began her career in London, and has experience across a wide variety of industries.
She qualified as an ACCA in 2018, and complete her Chartered Accountants qualification in 2023.
Addi lives Locally in Papamoa with her 3 young children. In her spare time, Addi can be found travelling or exploring local Beaches. She also has a passion for baking, well-known in the community for her unique cheesecakes.’
Xero Advisor Certified
Email: [email protected]
Sir Baa's Alot
Mascot
Sir Baa’s Alot is a plastic sheep! He loves wearing his Xero swag and spends his time greeting our clients when they pop in.
Kate Pomare
Accounting Technician
Kate joined us in June 2022.
She has Business Degree and a bookkeeping background, so is well versed in the needs of our clients. She’s also got plenty of experience with Xero so can help out with all your queries.
Kate lives locally with her Husband and 3 children and enjoys being at the beach with her family in her spare time.
Xero Advisor Certified
Email: [email protected]
Lisa Martin
Accounting Technician
Lisa joined Stem in May 2023.
Raised on a sheep and beef farm in the Kaipara Hills, she graduated with a Business degree and spent 8 years working in Sydney and London in the finance industry. Since returning, Lisa has been bookkeeping with Xero for a variety of clients.
Lisa lives rurally in Te Puke, with her husband and two sons, on a lifestyle block with sheep and Avocados. In her holidays she can usually be found in their caravan or tent, camping with friends and family.
Xero Advisor Certified
Email: [email protected]
Toby Bell
C.A | Accountant
Toby joined Stem in March 2024.
He started his career in the Audit team at KPMG Tauranga where he completed his Chartered Accountants qualification.
Toby is local to Tauranga and has a passion for surfing, hockey and getting outdoors in the sun.
Xero Advisor Certified
Email: [email protected]
Bryn Fitzgerald
Accounting Technician
Bryn joined Stem in June 2024.
He is a recent graduate of Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture and Professional Accounting).
He supported his studies with holiday work in the sheep and dairy industries.
Bryn is local to Tauranga and in his spare time he enjoys camping, hiking and getting out on his motorbike.
Xero Advisor Certified
Email: [email protected]
The Office Glue
Sarah Brown
Business Support Manager
Sarah is your first point of contact with Stem. Sarah runs reception & also provides fantastic support to the Stem team looking after our client invoicing, client onboarding and ‘delivering’ of final accounts.
Sarah’s children and their various activities keep her busy outside of work. However, as an avid reader she always ends her day with a few pages from her current book.
Email: [email protected]