Our People

Prue McStay - Director, B. Com., CPA

Prue is driven by the need for successful small businesses. Small business success, means so much for the local community and the families they touch. Making business easier, simpler and smarter for business owners is key to the success of the business and its owners. It is what Prue focuses on. Connection with you, the business owner, fosters a deep understanding of your goals and needs and ensures the plans we make together are achievable.

Her areas of expertise include financial control, management accounting, financial accounting, system and process design and implementation, financial evaluation, business advisory, project management and general troubleshooting. Prue has the ability to quickly and accurately identify issues and develop practical solutions for you and your business.

Prue has a B.Com. (Accounting) and is a member of CPA Australia. Her professional qualifications combined with a broad industry experience gained over 25 years ensure that Prue has the expertise and practical skills to understand your business.

Leisa Morris - Senior Bookkeeper

Leisa joined the team in 2019 as our Practice Administrator, before moving into a Bookkeeper role. Leisa has great organisation and communication skills, as well as solid payroll and bookkeeping knowledge, which ensures we deliver what we promise to our clients. 

Leisa enjoys getting to know Astute Modes clients and what makes them tick, to ensure we can provide the relevant support and services, and that they have a positive experience with us. Her background in tax, administration and accounts, along with being Xero certified mean that she can offer great support to our clients. 

In her spare time, Leisa enjoys spending time with her family and trying out new restaurants in the city. 

Eden Dalrymple - Bookkeeper

Eden joined Astute Mode as an intern in February 2025 while completing her Bachelor of Accounting. After graduating, she moved into a Bookkeeper role in February 2026, where she now supports clients with their day-to-day bookkeeping needs.

She enjoys helping businesses stay organised and confident in their numbers and takes pride in providing accurate and reliable bookkeeping that allows clients to focus on running and growing their businesses. Eden also has a strong interest in technology and process improvement, particularly how digital tools and automation can improve efficiency for both businesses and accounting firms.

Outside of work, Eden enjoys discovering new cafés, travelling, and exploring the hikes around Christchurch.

Alena Hood - Bookkeeper

Alena has been working at Astute Mode since April 2018, she started as our Client Administrator and is now qualified, having just completed a Certificate in Bookkeeping, which enables her to use her knowledge and understanding to help our clients with their bookkeeping needs.

Alena enjoys communicating with the clients and likes to help take the stress away from businesses by helping them understand more about what the numbers in their business represent rather than just looking a report your accountant has handed you and not knowing how to interpret the numbers or the impact they have on your business.

When not at work Alena can be found with her nose buried in a book or herself in a bookstore buying more books to add to her never ending collection. You can almost always find Alena listening to music and she loves going out and exploring New Zealand and is looking forward to extending that to other places around the world very soon.

Nick Eaden - Business Manager

Nick joined the team in 2026 as our Business Manager, bringing a background in operations, sales and systems. With a sharp eye for process and getting things done, he ensures Astute Mode runs smoothly so the team can focus on doing what they do best and clients feel supported every step of the way.

Nick has a genuine care for the client experience and loves working with small to medium businesses to make sure they are set up for success. He brings a commercial mindset and is always focused on making sure every client has a great experience from day one.

Outside of work, Nick is all about family, travel and discovering what makes Christchurch such a great place to live.