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John, tell me about your background.

I’m originally from the UK but have been in Australia for about 27 years. Professionally, I started at one of the Big Four audit firms before moving into forensic accounting, which is where I’ve spent the vast majority of my career.

I now have nearly 30 years of experience as a forensic accountant and expert witness. Over that time, I’ve worked on a wide range of matters involving loss and damage assessments, fraud investigations, accounting irregularities, failed investments, tax avoidance, and commercial disputes. I’ve also provided expert evidence in courts and arbitration proceedings across Australia and internationally.

What brought you to HKA?

Along with a number of senior colleagues, I joined HKA in Sydney just over a year ago. I was working for one of the company’s competitors but wanted to work somewhere with a more global reach. I had been in my previous role for quite a long time and needed something of a new start, where expert witness work is more central to the firm’s strategy and DNA.

What makes HKA a standout employer for you?

One of the things I have loved most about working at HKA is finding that it’s a community of like-minded people who seek to excel in their work.

The firm’s global reach is also a real strength. Many of the disputes and investigations we work on involve multiple parties, jurisdictions, and industries, so being able to collaborate with experts from around the world helps us deliver strong outcomes for clients.

Talk to me about the work that you do with the Justice and Equity Centre.

I want to start by emphasising that the Justice and Equity Centre (JEC) is exceptionally well run by a fabulous CEO and a dedicated team. The role that I and others play as directors of the board is to provide appropriate oversight and governance. 

I’m also chair of the finance and staffing committee, which oversees the centre’s financial matters, including annual accounts and audits, and helps ensure the organisation remains well placed to continue delivering its important work. 

How did you get involved with the centre’s work? 

I’d reached a point in my career and life where I knew I wanted to do something alongside my day-to-day professional work. I spoke to a range of people involved in not-for-profit activities and asked whether there was anything I could get involved in.

One of those people was a client of ours who happened to be a director at the JEC. A few months later, I got a call from the CEO and the chair of the board asking me whether I would be interested in putting myself forward for a board position, and I was fortunate to be asked to join.

Are there any projects that the JEC has been responsible for during your time on the board that you feel especially proud of?

Recently, they successfully pursued a case against a rideshare provider for discriminatory practices against blind passengers seeking to ride with guide dogs. A similar case was also brought against a major airline. In both cases, these companies’ practices should now be changing.

It’s a good example of the work the JEC does and the impact it has: it’s a not-for-profit legal centre that takes on cases on behalf of people who do not have the financial means to run legal cases themselves.

What makes the centre’s work so important? 

At a time when economic conditions are especially tough, and instances of discrimination, racism, and injustice are increasing, more people need someone in their corner looking out for them.

The JEC is particularly effective because it focuses not only on helping individuals, but also on changing laws, policies, and practices that create unfair outcomes. That means its impact can extend well beyond a single case. It plays a key role, for example, in advocating for water and energy justice, fighting against practices that disadvantage low-income tenants.

And on a very personal level, I’ve never liked bullies or people who seek to gain advantage over the less fortunate. The JEC is an organisation standing against that.

How does your work at JEC connect to your role at HKA? 

My work as a forensic accountant involves acting as an expert in legal cases between different kinds of organisations – sometimes individuals, sometimes big companies, sometimes government – trying to persuade the court or tribunal that a particular party is right about their case.

A large part of that work involves investigating complex financial issues, assessing loss and damage, and providing independent expert evidence. The work that the JEC does is very similar in some respects, albeit focused on different kinds of cases and communities.

The other connection is that the JEC is well known in the Australian legal community. Many of HKA’s clients, such as, lawyers, barristers, and litigation funders, support its work by providing pro bono legal services, making donations, or sponsoring events. Recently, the centre held its annual fundraising dinner, which HKA supported and attended, hosting our clients at the dinner. It’s all about broadening awareness of the organisation and the work that they do.

What advice would you give to young professionals looking to build a career in forensic accounting?  

First and foremost, build strong technical foundations. A good understanding of accounting, finance, and how businesses operate is essential.

Beyond that, stay curious. The most effective forensic accountants are people who enjoy investigating issues, analysing evidence, and solving problems. Communication skills are also paramount. Much of the role involves explaining complex financial matters in a way that clients, lawyers, judges, and tribunals can easily understand. That requires excellent written communication skills and concise but persuasive verbal communication.

I’d also encourage young professionals to seek out internal and external mentors and learn from experienced colleagues whenever possible. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside many talented people throughout my career, and those experiences have been invaluable.

What does community impact mean to you?

It’s a very broad range of activities. At its heart, it seeks to correct injustice, help disadvantaged members of our community, and, more generally, it tries to change the rules by which society operates.

For me, community impact is about helping to create positive and lasting change. Whether that’s supporting individuals facing discrimination, strengthening access to justice, or helping improve laws and policies, it’s about contributing to something bigger than ourselves and making society fairer for everyone.

If you would like to find out more about joining HKA,
visit our careers page.