Our People, Their Stories - Audit series: Tony

The journey so far

Prior to Australia, I worked as an external auditor for a total of 10 years across several firms in the Philippines and Indonesia. After taking the first step of moving from the Philippines to Indonesia, I found myself asking, “Why not take an even bigger leap?” so, when I received an offer from HLB Mann Judd, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to pursue that ambition.

Finding my place at HLB

My experience working in Australia, has taught me not to be afraid of stepping outside of my comfort zone. The world is full of opportunities, and while taking the leap can be intimidating, having the courage to pursue them can be incredibly rewarding.

When I started working with HLB, I was impressed with the audit tools and AI solutions used by the firm. I came from an environment where the audit process involves reviewing large number of physical documents, reading lengthy contracts and spending much time researching on audit and accounting standards. HLB’s investments in technology has transformed the audit process into a more seamless and paperless experience.

Learning and growing

At HLB, team members are encouraged to share their perspectives and proactively validating from others before reaching conclusions. This approach not only improve the quality of our work and made the process more efficient, but it also helped me to reinforce my confidence in expressing my views.

Maintaining strong relationships is also as important as our professional growth. I always believe that building trust and confidence with colleagues and clients is one the foundation of a successful and fulfilling career.

Opportunities that make a difference

HLB has been highly supportive of my professional development. Most recently I completed my Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification and was admitted as a member in February 2026.

I also attended the HLB Mann Judd Australasian Conference in May 2026 which gave me an opportunity to connect with colleagues across the network, share experiences and gain insights on how different offices operate.

I have had the opportunity to work with clients across multiple industries, consisting of ASX-listed and privately held companies, public sector and not-for-profit entities. The diversity of this experience has broadened my knowledge and perspective as an auditor.

Life beyond work

I enjoy city walks, visiting cafés, and karaoke. I also have personal interests in owls and maintain a small collection of owl-themed items, which has become a hobby over the years.

The future

I am excited to continue growing in my role, building stronger client relationships and contributing to work that is practical and useful.