It’s amazing where life can take you on the back of some good advice —even when it’s not the financial kind.
The accounting world is broad—try as many different things as you can. That was the sage wisdom passed to, then-trainee, Jack Deane almost 10 years ago.
Off the back of a rotation in the business advisory team, Jack found himself thriving in the audit team. With a self-described “chaotic” working style, the ever-changing work with an energising team fuelled a fire in Jack, keeping him around long after his rotation was over.
But while he loved work, Jack quickly realised that the auditor’s lifestyle was no longer compatible after he received a very important new title—Dad.
Bidding farewell to the Ulton team, Jack took on a new role as financial controller for a local car dealership.
But like so many others in Ulton’s ‘Boomerang Gang’, Jack didn’t stay away for long.
Jack caught up with Morgans Bundaberg partner, Karl Brosnan, who invited him to try his hand at stockbroking.
“I’d never thought about doing stockbroking, but I knew Karl was a good bloke with heaps of knowledge. I wanted to work with him, so I gave it a go,” says Jack.
It might be downplaying things a bit when Jack describes his role at Morgans as “making coffee, answering the phone, having interesting conversations with clients, and doing a little bit of stockbroking.”
Certainly the witty banter and light-hearted energy in the office is renowned.
“There’s a fair bit of banter, a fair bit of jest. Karl can give it as good as he gets it,” says Jack.
For Jack, the relationships he’s formed with his clients and his team are incredibly rewarding.
Nothing’s off the table in their conversations, and Jack is often humbled by his clients' honesty and generosity in sharing their wisdom.
“I feel like I get paid to learn about life and making money from all different perspectives. And hopefully make other people money while I do it,” he says.
As far as influences go, Jack credits Karl with being a strong professional and personal guide in his life. Achieving balance in life is a constant goal for Jack, as he balances the hectic nature of his professional role with co-parenting his young children.
Every second week, it’s not uncommon for meetings to be planned around the busy schedules of Rose (8) and Henry (6). Juggling school pickup, sports days, soccer practice, dance classes, netball…it’s a challenge familiar to all working parents. And for Jack, family life always takes priority. It’s a sentiment shared by Karl and the wider Morgans and Ulton teams.
Jack notes that when it’s his week off from being the primary caregiver, the scales tip the other way.
“That’s where the balance comes into play, and I really get in and schedule heaps of meetings and do the longer hours,” he says.
When the laptop’s closed and the kids are content, Jack’s other passion project comes out: the guitar.
Jack’s refreshingly honest about why he originally started playing: “It was a good excuse to get out of class for half an hour,” he laughs.
But what started as an excuse to avoid school became what Jack cites as one of the most enduring things in his life. This love of music even led him to a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Music in Paradise in the Maldives with his high school bandmate, Danny, spending a week living it up with their favourite band, The Living End. (See the banner image for Jack's pic with the band)
It’s the pinch-yourself stuff that teenage Jack and Danny would have gone mad for—having breakfast with the band, sharing surfing lessons, and spending their nights watching live gigs on the beach.
Sport—any sport—is also a favourite topic of conversation. Jack follows NRL, AFL, NBA and baseball, though he confesses that he’s not much of a cricket fan.
He recently spent a weekend in Brisbane, taking Rose and Henry to see their first game of rugby league in the city with a group of mates.
“We really try to get out and about as much as possible,” he says of his time with the kids.
“We love heading to Bargara or Agnes Waters, a night away here and there and just enjoying our time together.”
Jack’s positive nature and enthusiasm is a thread that weaves through his personal and professional life. “Chaotic, collaborative and fun” are the words Jack uses to describe his working style.
Working in the sharemarket taps into that chaotic characteristic. By nature, it’s reactive and volatile. Being able to accept the lack of control and enjoy the ride is key.
“It takes a certain person,” Jack says.
“You have to be comfortable being wrong, and being told you’re wrong. Shares are unpredictable, so you’re going to be wrong as often as you’re right. But no-one calls you up to tell you when you’re right!”
Jack’s obvious commitment to getting to know his clients and building trusting relationships helps when things get a little hectic. The connections and long-term relationships he has with his clients are some of his favourite parts of his job. It’s clear this strength in connecting with others comes naturally to him.
Recently, Jack joined Karl in the latest round of Dale Carnegie training. For the client-focused team, it delivered some clarity on why they’re so successful in what they do.
“[In the course], they were discussing that the best way to work with people and get things out of people is just to be nice and show a bit of interest,” says Jack.
“For us, showing interest in other people and giving everyone the time of day is just the norm. It’s what we enjoy doing more than anything else. It was interesting to see this in a different light—as a genuine strength,” says Jack.
One standout moment for Jack during the recent training was the discussion on imposter syndrome, a feeling familiar to many.
“What really stuck with me was that you need a healthy bit of imposter syndrome to keep pushing. As soon as you’re comfortable, you probably need to go to the next level,” he says
“Maybe not the whole time, but at least initially, anyway,” he adds, with a laugh.
It’s this drive to seek out opportunities to learn and grow that has kept Jack motivated and progressing in his career with Morgans, grabbing onto the opportunities that present themselves and still following that advice from early in his career.
When asked about his perspective on his career and life, Jack leans on the advice shared with him by a Bargara local legend.
“He always says to me ‘we’re too blessed to be stressed, brother.”
“And it’s absolutely true.”