Nationally focused · Auckland-based · 100% online
Learn bookkeeping and accounting the way New Zealand businesses actually use it.
Totara Accounting Academy trains everyday New Zealanders to confidently manage GST, payroll and full-cycle bookkeeping in Xero and MYOB — taught by working NZ accountants, built around real IRD requirements.
Why learners choose Totara
Built for New Zealand's GST, payroll and reporting rules — not a generic global syllabus.
NZ-specific curriculum
Every module is built around IRD filing requirements, NZ GST periods and Kiwi payroll (PAYE, KiwiSaver, holiday pay) — not a US or UK course with the currency swapped.
Xero & MYOB practitioner labs
Work inside real practice files, not slides. By the end of each course you can reconcile, file and report the way employers expect on day one.
Taught by working accountants
Your instructors hold current NZ practising experience across small business, hospitality and trades bookkeeping — not career trainers reading a script.
course pathways, from first-time bookkeeper to diploma level
online, self-paced with live weekly tutor sessions
interest-free payment plans available on every course
training New Zealand bookkeepers and accounts staff since
Course pathways
Start where you are, finish where you want to be.
Bookkeeping Foundations
The essentials of double-entry bookkeeping, invoicing and bank reconciliation for absolute beginners.
Xero Practitioner Certificate
Become confidently fluent in Xero — the software used by the majority of small NZ businesses.
Payroll & GST Compliance
PAYE, KiwiSaver, holiday pay and GST return filing, taught against real IRD due dates.
Learner outcomes
What our graduates say about studying with Totara.
“I went from spreadsheets to a proper Xero workflow in six weeks. My employer noticed straight away.”
“The GST module alone paid for the course. I finally understand what I'm filing and why.”
“Tutors actually work in NZ practices. Every question got a real, practical answer.”
Enrolments open now
Ready to make numbers your strength?
Speak with our Auckland-based enrolment team about the right course for your goals, or start with our free curriculum guide.
About Totara Accounting Academy
Practical accounting training, grown in Auckland since 2016.
We started Totara because too many New Zealanders were learning bookkeeping from generic overseas courses that ignored GST, PAYE and IRD filing altogether. Every course we teach today is built from real NZ practice files.
Our story
From one Auckland classroom to a nationwide online academy.
Totara Accounting Academy was founded in 2016 by a small team of chartered and practising New Zealand accountants who were frustrated by the same problem: bookkeeping courses that taught software, but not the compliance context small NZ businesses actually operate in.
What began as evening classes for career-changers in central Auckland has grown into a fully online academy serving learners from Whangarei to Invercargill, without losing the small-cohort, tutor-led approach we started with.
We keep our course list deliberately focused: bookkeeping, Xero, MYOB, payroll and GST. We would rather teach five courses exceptionally well than twenty courses adequately.
What guides us
Teach the compliance, not just the clicks
Software changes; IRD rules and reasoning last longer. We teach learners to understand a GST return, not just complete one.
Small cohorts, real feedback
Every course includes a live weekly tutor session with a practising accountant, capped to keep it genuinely useful.
Honest outcomes
We publish our completion rates and learner ratings on this site and stand behind every figure we quote.
Our team
Tutors with current New Zealand practice experience.
Bookkeeping & Xero faculty
Practising bookkeepers who work with small NZ businesses across trades, hospitality and retail day to day.
Payroll & compliance faculty
Specialists in PAYE, KiwiSaver and holiday pay calculations, kept current with each IRD rate change.
Learner support team
Based in Auckland, available by phone and email to help you choose and complete the right course.
Want to know if a course fits your goals?
Our enrolment team can walk you through course content, timing and fees before you commit to anything.
Courses
Six course pathways, in the order most learners take them.
Start with Bookkeeping Foundations if you're new to the field, or jump straight into a specialist course like Payroll & GST if you already have the basics. Every course is 100% online with weekly live tutor sessions.
Bookkeeping Foundations
Double-entry bookkeeping, invoicing, bank reconciliation and the chart of accounts, taught from zero prior experience.
Xero Practitioner Certificate
Hands-on training in Xero: bank feeds, reconciliation, invoicing, reporting and multi-client workflows.
MYOB Essentials Practitioner
The MYOB equivalent of our Xero course, for learners supporting businesses that run MYOB Essentials or AccountRight.
Payroll & GST Compliance
PAYE, KiwiSaver, holiday pay calculations and GST return preparation and filing, mapped to real IRD due dates.
Accounts Receivable & Payable Management
Credit control, supplier payment runs, debtor reporting and cash flow monitoring for growing small businesses.
Accounting Diploma Pathway
Our most complete pathway, combining all five courses above into one structured programme with a capstone practice-file project.
How each course runs
Self-paced content, live weekly support.
Each course combines on-demand video lessons and practice files you complete on your own schedule, with one live tutor session per week where you can ask questions and work through real scenarios.
- Lifetime access to course recordings and updates
- Downloadable NZ practice files (invoices, GST returns, payslips)
- Certificate of completion issued by Totara Accounting Academy
- Direct tutor email support throughout the course
Not sure which course to start with?
Tell us your experience level and goals and we'll recommend a starting point — no obligation.
Pricing
Clear, one-time course fees — no hidden charges.
All fees are in New Zealand dollars and include GST. Interest-free payment plans are available on every course at checkout, with no credit check required.
One course of your choice, including Bookkeeping Foundations, Xero, MYOB, Payroll & GST, or Accounts Receivable.
- 1 course, 5–8 weeks
- Certificate of completion
- Weekly live tutor session
- Lifetime access to recordings
Our most popular option: Bookkeeping Foundations, Xero Practitioner and Payroll & GST together, sequenced for a job-ready skill set.
- 3 courses, bundled and sequenced
- Save $780 vs. single fees
- Priority tutor email support
- Certificate for each course
All six courses plus a supervised capstone project, for learners aiming for a full accounts role or small-practice bookkeeping career.
- All 6 courses + capstone project
- Save $1,220 vs. single fees
- 1:1 tutor review of capstone
- Totara Diploma certificate
Interest-free payment plans split any course or bundle into weekly or fortnightly instalments over up to 6 months. Plan terms are confirmed at enrolment.
What's included in every course fee.
- All course materials and downloadable NZ practice files
- Weekly live tutor session for the full duration of the course
- Certificate of completion on passing the final assessment
- 14-day refund window from enrolment if the course isn't the right fit
Ready to enrol, or still comparing options?
Our team can confirm exact fees, current intake dates and payment plan terms for your chosen course.
Success stories
Real learners, real outcomes.
These accounts reflect individual learner experiences shared with Totara Accounting Academy. Results vary by learner effort, prior experience and local job market conditions.
“I'd never opened Xero before this course. Eight weeks later I was doing full reconciliations for my employer's small business.”
“The Payroll module explained KiwiSaver and holiday pay better than three years on the job had. I finally trust my own numbers.”
“I chose Totara because the tutors were actual working accountants, not just instructors reading slides. That made all the difference.”
“The Diploma Pathway capstone project became the case study I used in my job interview. I started my new accounts role two weeks after finishing.”
“Clear, practical, and genuinely NZ-focused. The GST filing walkthrough alone was worth the course fee for my small business.”
“I was intimidated by bookkeeping before Foundations. The pace and the weekly tutor sessions made it click.”
By the numbers
graduates since 2016
average learner rating
course completion rate
course pathways offered
Figures reflect Totara Accounting Academy's internal enrolment records, reviewed annually. Individual learner outcomes are not guaranteed.
Write your own success story.
Speak with our enrolment team about which course pathway fits your experience and goals.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before enrolling.
Can't find your answer here? Contact our enrolment team and we'll get back to you within one business day.
No. Bookkeeping Foundations assumes no prior experience and starts from the basics of double-entry bookkeeping. If you already have experience, you can enrol directly in Xero, MYOB, or Payroll & GST Compliance instead.
Our courses issue a Totara Accounting Academy Certificate of Completion demonstrating the practical skills covered. They are skills-based training programmes rather than a formal tertiary qualification. If you need a specific accreditation for a particular employer or visa pathway, please contact us before enrolling so we can confirm whether our certificate meets that requirement.
Most learners spend 3–5 hours per week on course content plus the one-hour live tutor session. Courses are self-paced within the enrolment window, so you can move faster or slower depending on your schedule.
Yes. Every course is built around current IRD requirements, NZ GST filing periods, PAYE and KiwiSaver rules, so what you learn applies directly to NZ employment.
You'll need a computer with a reliable internet connection. Xero and MYOB course access is provided through practice files during the course — you do not need to purchase your own software subscription to complete the training.
Yes. Every course and bundle can be split into weekly or fortnightly interest-free instalments over up to six months, arranged at enrolment with no credit check.
We offer a 14-day refund window from your enrolment date, provided you haven't completed more than 20% of the course content. See our Terms & Conditions for full details.
Many of our graduates have moved into accounts roles or started supporting their own small business finances after completing a course. Outcomes depend on your local job market, prior experience and the effort you put into the course — we don't guarantee employment.
Still have questions?
Our Auckland-based team can talk through course content, timing and fees before you enrol.
Contact
Talk to our enrolment team.
Ask about course content, current intake dates, fees or payment plans. We reply to all enquiries within one New Zealand business day.
Reach us directly
Office
Totara Accounting Academy Ltd
Level 4, 22 Customs Street West
Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010
New Zealand
Phone & email
Hours
Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:30pm NZST
Closed on New Zealand public holidays
Legal
Privacy Policy
Last updated: 22 July 2026
Totara Accounting Academy Ltd (“Totara,” “we,” “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have.
1. Information we collect
We collect personal information you provide directly, including:
- Name, email address and phone number submitted through our contact and enrolment forms
- Course preferences and messages you send us
- Payment and billing details when you enrol in a course (processed by our payment provider; we do not store full card numbers)
- Technical information such as IP address, browser type and pages visited, collected automatically via cookies (see our Cookie Policy)
2. How we use your information
- To respond to enquiries and process course enrolments
- To deliver course materials, certificates and learner support
- To send administrative communications about your enrolment
- With your consent, to send marketing communications about new courses or offers
- To measure and improve the performance of this website and our advertising campaigns, including Google Ads
- To meet our legal and accounting obligations under New Zealand law
3. Legal basis and consent
We only collect personal information that is necessary for the purposes described above. Where you submit a form on this site, you are asked to confirm your consent before submission. You may withdraw consent to marketing communications at any time by using the unsubscribe link in any email or by contacting us directly.
4. Advertising and analytics
We use website analytics and conversion-tracking tools, including Google Ads and Google Analytics, to understand how visitors use this site and to measure the effectiveness of our advertising. These tools may use cookies and similar technologies to collect information such as pages visited and actions taken on this site. This data is used in aggregate and is not used to identify you personally outside the ordinary operation of those services. You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings and through the cookie banner on this site.
5. Sharing your information
We do not sell personal information. We may share information with:
- Service providers who help us operate this website, process payments, or deliver course content, under confidentiality obligations
- Government agencies where required by New Zealand law
- A successor entity in the event of a business sale, merger or restructure
6. Data storage and security
Personal information is stored using reasonable technical and organisational safeguards to protect it from loss, misuse or unauthorised access. Data may be stored on servers located in New Zealand or with reputable cloud providers that maintain appropriate security standards.
7. Data retention
We retain personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy, or as required by New Zealand tax and business record-keeping law, after which it is securely deleted or anonymised.
8. Your rights
Under the Privacy Act 2020, you have the right to request access to, and correction of, the personal information we hold about you. To make a request, contact us using the details below. We will respond within the timeframes required by law.
9. Children's privacy
Our courses and this website are intended for adult learners. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
10. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “last updated” date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision.
11. Contact us
For any privacy-related question or request, contact:
Totara Accounting Academy Ltd
Level 4, 22 Customs Street West, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Email: privacy@totaraaccountingacademy.co.nz
Phone: +64 9 355 0142
You may also contact the New Zealand Office of the Privacy Commissioner at privacy.org.nz if you believe your privacy rights have not been respected.
Legal
Cookie Policy
Last updated: 22 July 2026
This Cookie Policy explains how Totara Accounting Academy Ltd uses cookies and similar technologies on this website.
1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They allow a site to recognise your browser, remember preferences, and collect information about how the site is used.
2. Types of cookies we use
Essential cookies
Required for the website to function correctly, such as remembering your cookie consent choice and enabling core navigation. These cannot be switched off.
Analytics cookies
Help us understand how visitors interact with this site (pages viewed, time on site, navigation paths) so we can improve content and course pages.
Advertising cookies
Used to measure the performance of our advertising, including Google Ads campaigns, and to understand which pages and offers are most relevant to visitors. These may be set by Google as part of its advertising and conversion-tracking services.
3. Managing your cookie preferences
When you first visit this site, you can accept or decline non-essential cookies using the banner shown at the bottom of the screen. You can also control or delete cookies at any time through your browser settings. Declining non-essential cookies will not affect your ability to browse this website or enrol in a course.
4. Third-party cookies
Some cookies on this site may be set by third-party services we use for analytics and advertising measurement, such as Google. These third parties are responsible for their own cookie and privacy practices, which you can review on their respective websites.
5. Changes to this policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use or for legal reasons. The “last updated” date above reflects the most recent revision.
6. Contact us
Questions about this Cookie Policy can be sent to privacy@totaraaccountingacademy.co.nz or see our full Privacy Policy.
Legal
Terms & Conditions
Last updated: 22 July 2026
These Terms & Conditions govern your use of this website and any course you enrol in with Totara Accounting Academy Ltd (“Totara,” “we,” “us”). By using this website or enrolling in a course, you agree to these terms.
1. About us
Totara Accounting Academy Ltd is a company registered in New Zealand, NZBN 9429000000000, operating from Level 4, 22 Customs Street West, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
2. Course enrolment and fees
Course fees are quoted in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of GST. Payment is required at enrolment unless you select an available instalment plan. Course access is granted upon successful payment or, where an instalment plan is used, upon receipt of the first instalment.
3. Refunds and cancellations
You may request a full refund within 14 days of enrolment, provided you have not accessed more than 20% of the course content. Refund requests should be sent to enquiries@totaraaccountingacademy.co.nz. Refunds are processed within 10 business days of approval. Nothing in this clause limits any rights you have under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or the Fair Trading Act 1986.
4. Course certificates
Certificates of completion are issued on successful completion of course requirements and assessments. These certificates recognise the practical skills covered in the course and are not a government-issued qualification unless explicitly stated otherwise for a specific course.
5. Acceptable use
Course materials are licensed to you for personal, non-commercial learning use only. You may not copy, redistribute, resell or publicly share course content without our prior written consent.
6. Website use
You agree to use this website only for lawful purposes and not to attempt to disrupt, reverse-engineer or gain unauthorised access to any part of the site or its underlying systems.
7. Limitation of liability
To the maximum extent permitted by New Zealand law, Totara Accounting Academy Ltd is not liable for any indirect or consequential loss arising from your use of this website or a course, including loss of income or employment outcomes. Nothing in these terms excludes any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under New Zealand law.
8. Changes to courses or terms
We may update course content, scheduling or these terms from time to time to reflect changes in NZ tax and payroll law or to improve the learning experience. Material changes affecting current learners will be communicated by email.
9. Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of New Zealand, and any disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.
10. Contact us
Questions about these Terms & Conditions can be sent to enquiries@totaraaccountingacademy.co.nz or +64 9 355 0142.