Hunter Leader | Nick Nancarrow

As an Auditor for over 20 years, Nick Nancarrow began his career as a Trainee with Cutcher & Neale in 1996 and has since progressed to the role of Partner in 2017. His extensive experience has seen him work alongside boards and management within a diverse range of industries throughout the Hunter region and NSW.

Leading a strong and experienced team of auditors, Nick goes beyond the standard auditing process, looking further into how clients can improve all aspects of their business to effectively improve their bottom line. His focus on ensuring sound systems and internal controls are in place allows a broader audit to assist the client in understanding suggested recommendations for improvement.

Forming a collaborative relationship with his clients and assisting them in achieving financial success and their strategic goals is what Nick finds to be one of the most rewarding aspects of his role.

• Tell us a little about your career path?

I’ve been lucky. I’ve only had the one interview. I started at Cutcher & Neale as a Trainee back in 1996. The opportunity came about from playing rugby with the Newcastle Wildfires. The Wildfires’ office was in the Cutcher & Neale building and Ian Neale was also president of the Wildfires, so I was lucky enough to get an opportunity in the audit team. I was then able to progress through the grades and became a Director within audit in 2008.

Since then I’ve been able to gain my registered company order status in 2017. On 1July 2017, I was promoted to Partner at Cutcher & Neale. It’s been a great opportunity and I feel privileged to be able to represent the firm as a partner of it. It’s been great.

• What are the key skillsets leaders need?

One of the skill sets I believe define a leader is listening. I think that to be a leader, you have to make decisions, but you also have to take on feedback from your colleagues. Also, using your peers as a sounding board.

I think building relationships as well. As part of the Cutcher & Neale Audit Team, we have a really good relationship, but you need to know where the line is.

I think the other aspect is being a team player. Again, having a great team, you need to be able to respect others in the team. Also, meeting commitments as well.

• What is one action or task you ensure you incorporate into your diary each week?

Use of Outlook is important within our firm and my working life, to make sure we can make commitments and plan as well. At the start of the week we look at what’s on, talk to our team and make sure we prioritise well.

A key tip for Outlook is to have your messages as a review sort of thing, because that enables you to see what a message is about, but not action it until you’ve got time.

• What is unique about doing business in the Hunter?

I think the unique thing is we have a great range of industries in the Hunter. You go from the vineyards to the tourism, hospitality and all of those aspects. Our services providers in the not-for-profit sector and other sectors give us a good range of clients within the Hunter.

I tend to find that the people within the Hunter are down-to-earth and they do really respect service as well. That’s one thing at Cutcher & Neale we do pride ourselves on -our service to our customers or our clients. It’s the customer service which they respect.

• Which local businessperson do you find inspiring?

Being in audit, we come across a lot of different industries. We also deal with a lot of different boards. We’re dealing with chairpersons, directors and then the executive team, such as your CEOs and CFOs. A lot of those people who contribute to the Hunter economy very well. I think it’s taking a lot of different aspects from each of those people and modelling yourself on those aspects.

If I had to pinpoint one, I’d probably say Bruce Tyrrell from Tyrrell’s Vineyards. I’ve probably been lucky that I’ve been able to work with three generations of the Tyrrell’s family, right from Murray Tyrrell through to Bruce currently. Also, now we’re seeing Chris, Jane and Johnny come through the business as well and put their stamp on it.

The reason I find Bruce and his family inspiring is that it’s still a family owned business through many generations. It’s a tough industry, the wine industry at the moment. They’re doing well and they’re always winning a lot of awards. And they have that passion and family focus which I do appreciate and respect. Probably if I had to pinpoint someone, it’s  Bruce and his family.