Amid the well-deserved laughter and clinking of champagne glasses, Cutcher & Neale celebrated not just the close of another successful financial year, but also the promotion of three new Partners to our leadership team.
The addition of Megan Goodwin, Cameron Nix and Jodie Walshe represents their significant contributions during their tenures and the continued growth of a firm with humble beginnings and ambitious goals.
Our Newest Partners
Megan Goodwin
When Megan started as a Trainee Accountant over 20 years ago, she didn't expect to ever be able to reach such a pivotal moment in her career. After joining Cutcher & Neale in 2010, she realised her goal to make a real impact within the industry by helping both her clients and team succeed and grow.
Megan progressed within the firm's Specialist Medical Services division and became an Associate and team leader in 2021. She is proud to have experienced and contributed to the firm's significant growth and development. Megan is excited to be joining the partnership as a role model for future generations of accountants.
"Cutcher & Neale is a place that puts its people first," said Megan. "I take immense pride in reaching this milestone within a firm that is so willing to work with its people to help them find the balance they need to be successful, no matter the role."
"I am excited for the new opportunities ahead as a Partner of Cutcher & Neale."
Cameron Nix
Cameron joined the Specialist Medical Services division in 2012 as a Client Advisor. Drawn to Cutcher & Neale due to the immense amount of growth and opportunity he saw within the firm, Cameron embodied the core values and led by example.
In 2018 he was the first recipient of the newly minted annual Col Cutcher Award for Innovation and Progressiveness. By 2021 he was appointed as an Associate and team leader. Cameron is proud to represent a firm that puts its people first and has a vision for its future. His goal to improve efficiency and outcomes for both staff and clients has led Cutcher & Neale to pioneer automation processes that are leading the industry forward.
"Cutcher & Neale has grown so much and we have expanded from our local origins"
"I'm proud to be a Partner in a firm where there's so much opportunity; where our people strive not to be an individual success, but to be of value to each other and our clients."
Jodie Walshe
Jodie started her accounting career with Cutcher & Neale as a Trainee Accountant in 2006 and has been part of the Specialist Medical Services division since its inception in 2012. She progressed to become an Associate and team leader in 2021 and is now the fifth Partner in the firm's history to have begun her career in Cutcher & Neale's traineeship program.
Jodie is passionate and devoted to the growth and development of the firm's people. She is a pivotal mentor and trainer for the junior staff who excel in the very same traineeship program that helped launch her career. She is proud to be one of the new Partners of a firm that continues to provide premier training within the accounting industry.
"The industry has changed a lot over the years and opportunities like Cutcher & Neale's traineeship program are no longer offered by many firms," said Jodie. "I'm proud that we continue to run it every year to help students and new graduates get such a strong start in the industry and their careers."
"Cutcher & Neale is a firm that sees immense value in giving opportunities to people who have no prior experience and supporting them on their journey as they learn and grow. I'm proud to represent that legacy."
The Way Forward
From humble beginnings, Col Cutcher and Geof Neale pioneered the award-winning accounting and financial services firm over 70 years ago in Newcastle. Now the firm boasts three office locations along the east coast of Australia, services over 9000 clients, and is led by 16 Partners steering it towards even bigger goals.
Cutcher & Neale's 10-year strategic growth plan is committed to expanding both its Partnership and the services available to clients, including those not commonly found within accounting firms. This was evidenced last year with the appointment of Dean Menzies and Michael Graham, heads of their respective divisions, as the firm's first non-accounting Partners. Their addition to the Partnership represents both their dedication to Cutcher & Neale's innovative nature and the firm's aspirations as an industry leader.
Dean Menzies
Dean joined Cutcher & Neale in 2016 to direct its newly created Residential & Commercial Finance division. Within seven years, his team established a reputation for offering bespoke finance packages tailored to individual needs, exceeding what most traditional banks offer. Dean's leadership and dedication culminated in his promotion to Partner in July 2023.
In his previous role as a private banker, Dean worked closely with the firm and proved to be an incredible asset to its clients. Dean was excited by the opportunity to head up the new division and help Cutcher & Neale expand into the realm of finance. He is passionate about helping clients by truly understanding them and their options, and advocating for them until they achieve their goals.
Michael Graham
Michael originally began at Cutcher & Neale in 1998 as an Accounting Software Consultant. Within a year, he rose to lead his relatively new team, then known as the Cutcher & Neale Information Technology division.
Under Michael's leadership, the Business Software & System Solutions team grew to become one of the firm's stand-out services and he was promoted to Partner in July 2023.
Specialising in financial systems and software development with products such as Oracle Netsuite, Michael played a key role in implementing internal improvements that have facilitated the firm's rapid growth. His goal is to help Cutcher & Neale and other businesses maximise the growing capabilities of AI technology and safeguard against its inherent risks.
While the term 'Trusted Advisor' is familiar to Cutcher & Neale clients, it's one that is hard-earned within the financial industry. The firm's continued commitment to fostering success for its people and clients shows why it's a title that is well-deserved.
Congratulations to our new Partners!
Jarrod is the Managing Partner of Cutcher & Neale and heads up the Medical Accounting Services division within the firm. He has a passion for creating strong partnerships with clients that allow him to provide tailored advice so they reach their goals.
Jarrod has niche experience working with medical practitioners. His expertise allows him to guide clients from the initial stages of wealth creation as doctors in training, through to long-term wealth protection, tax planning, and retirement strategies.
