Who we are

CommonGround Advisors is led by Maris Holt, a finance professional with a passion for supporting not-for-profits.

With a strong background in audit, accounting, business advisory, and internal controls, Maris specialises in helping charities and incorporated societies strengthen their financial operations and governance.

Drawing on deep knowledge of XRB reporting requirements and years of experience working with both small community groups and some of New Zealand’s largest charities, we provide practical, sector-specific support that helps organisations meet compliance standards and grow with confidence.

Based in Mangawhai, Maris brings a grounded, community-minded approach to every partnership.

With a team of NZ based bookkeepers, CommonGround Advisors offer a comprehensive option helping not-for-profits thrive through trusted financial leadership.

Not-for-profit accounting specialist

“Maris is a highly valued member of my team, playing a vital role in supporting the finance function at Triathlon New Zealand. From producing accurate and timely monthly financial reports across the organisation, to guiding our annual budgeting process and managing the year-end audit, her attention to detail is second to none.

Maris is also an integral part of our Finance Committee, where she consistently provides expert analysis and well-considered advice to both the committee and our Board. She effectively serves as my virtual CFO, enabling me to lead the financial aspects of my role with confidence and clarity.”

CEO, Triathlon New Zealand

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Maris Holt Consulting in two of my CEO roles within the not-for-profit sector. Maris is an expert in her field, offering a financial service tailored specifically for not-for-profit organisations — something that is incredibly hard to find.

With a background in auditing, Maris is diligent and detail-oriented, yet she also has a rare ability to see the big picture and guide strategic financial decisions. She truly understands the nuances of the NFP environment, which often differs significantly from the commercial world.

Whether it’s navigating grant funding, providing clear cash flow advice, delivering board finance training, preparing insightful board reports, or supporting risk mitigation, Maris brings a depth of knowledge and professionalism that is second to none.

I would highly recommend Maris and her team to any not-for-profit organisation looking for a financial partner who genuinely understands the sector and delivers services that make both financial and strategic sense.”

CEO, Asthma New Zealand

“We recently engaged Maris Holt to deliver tailored financial training sessions for our management team and budget holders. The training was extremely well-structured, clearly presented, and highly relevant to our roles. It significantly improved our team's financial literacy, especially in understanding key financial concepts and applying them to our daily responsibilities.
As a result, we've seen a marked improvement in compliance with financial processes, greater confidence in budget management, and more informed decision-making across departments. The feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, and we would not hesitate to recommend Maris Holt to any organisation looking to strengthen financial capability within their teams.”

Head of Finance, Museum of Transport & Technology (MOTAT)