Partner Mark O’Connor

About
Mark

Mark works closely with our clients, both leading and supporting the Audit and Assurance Team. He strives to deliver quality insights and independent observations in a collaborative and practical way.

With a genuine interest in the operations and outcomes achieved by the organisations we service, Mark has specialised in providing external audit services for more than 30 years as a registered company auditor building his experience in financial reporting, external audit, governance and business process improvement

Mark is recognised for his personal interest and appreciation of the value delivered by for-purpose organisations. He enjoys engaging with executives across operations, finance, HR, IT, governance and risk management to build his understanding of an organisations activities.

With this depth of understanding, Mark delivers clear reporting to Directors and Management, linking operational and financial performance and providing insights beyond compliance, stretching across mining, manufacturing, financial institutions and community services sectors.

Mark is a regular presenter on topics of strategy, governance, risk management, ESG and financial reporting. Joining the Newcastle based firm Cutcher & Neale in 1992 and becoming Partner in 2002, Mark contributed to Cutcher & Neale as business owner, Executive Board Member and the Partner responsible for the firm’s HR and People Strategies until establishing the Newcastle & Hunter office of HLB Mann Judd in 2025.

Mark led the Audit and Assurance firm’s engagement with HLB Mann Judd as a representative firm in 2017 and has been a member of HLB Mann Judd’s Audit and Accounting Standards Committee since this time.

His dedication to community is reflected in his contribution a director of community organisations, giving him deep insight into operational risks and regulatory reforms. His leadership ensures clients are receiving clarity and confidence through every stage of the audit process.