We caught up with Mitch Hancock to chat all things BlueRock, from his early days as a graduate fresh out of uni to stepping up as a Director. Mitch’s story is packed with lessons, wins, and a few surprises from a decade of fast-paced growth. Here are some of the highlights from his BlueRock journey.
Q: When did you join BlueRock?
A: I joined BlueRock back in 2011, fresh out of uni. The year before, I was working in hospitality, and through a connection in footy, I ended up meeting Pete. I had a couple of interviews with Pete and Ella, one of the original BlueRockers and that’s how I got my foot in the door.
Back then, BlueRock was tiny—about 10-15 people all up. We had maybe 9 or 10 accountants and just a couple of lawyers. It was mainly a traditional accounting firm at heart, all about tax compliance and financial statements—your classic accounting work that’s still common in a lot of firms.
But Pete was always entrepreneurial—he didn’t just want to run a standard accounting shop. He pushed us to go beyond compliance and tax returns and start branching out into things clients genuinely valued and needed. We started advising and consulting, not just doing the numbers. As a result, the business started evolving quickly.
What’s cool is that most of the new services came out of conversations with entrepreneurial clients—they’d say, “Can you help me grow, or help me sell, or sort out my cash flow?” So we kept expanding, adding legal, finance, wealth, personal tax, insurance, wills, estates—really, whatever services our clients needed, we’d bolt that service onto the business.
So, from day one, it’s never felt like just a single business doing the same thing. Even though BlueRock has been my whole professional career, it’s constantly changing, and that variety keeps it fresh.
Q: How have you transitioned through the business?
A: My path here has never been boring. I came straight from uni (barely knowing my way around a computer!) and started as a grad at Bluerock. These days, the grads coming in are tech geniuses! I started out just figuring out accounting basics, but as BlueRock grew, I was thrown into the deep end—grad to accountant, then senior accountant, account manager, associate director, and since 1 July, I’ve stepped into director role. Now, I lead one of the three core accounting divisions, looking after a team of about 38 people. Along the way, I’ve also spent time on strategy, business growth, and working on our leadership team.
Q: What do you do in your role?
A: These days my focus is on advisory and consulting which goes beyond compliance. I help clients map out strategic plans, build financial models, and set them up for whatever their big goals are. That could be growing the business, bringing in a new revenue stream, restructuring for better culture, or even planning an exit. Then, I’m there with them month in, month out, to track progress and tackle problems as they arise. Every client’s different, and so is every journey.
Q: How does the work you do impact your client?
A: It’s so rewarding to start with a blank slate—just a business owner’s vision—and then walk that whole journey together. Some of my favourite moments have been helping a client grow a business and then sell it for $50 million or being there as they hit huge milestones. Sometimes the win isn’t money though. It’s helping someone build a better team or culture, or just fixing those day-to-day headaches that keep them up at night. I love that we get to play such a hands-on role, and that the knowledge we’ve built at BlueRock is directly transferable to our clients’ growth journeys.
Q: Any standout moments?
A: Honestly, the biggest wins are about people—either clients or our own team. I’m proud of working with not-for-profits, like being on the board of the Lost Dogs’ Home for the past 7 years. That came from a client relationship that grew until I was asked to join the board, which has been a real privilege. Internally, it’s those friendships and seeing grads grow into leaders and getting invited to their weddings or holidays years later! BlueRock’s not just a workplace, it’s a proper community.
Q: What advice do you have for young advisors?
A: Opportunities come in growing businesses, so join a business with a real vision and a growth mindset. Being proactive, embracing change, and adapting quickly are the big ones. Don’t shy away from moving around or trying new things. I’ve probably sat at 100 different desks in four offices! The more you put yourself out there, the more you’ll get out of your career. And tell people what you want—if your leaders know your goals, they’ll help you get there.
Q: How is BlueRock different from a “standard” firm?
A: Without a doubt, it’s the people and the culture. You know it’s genuine when people actually want to spend time together outside of work—coming back on Mondays with stories from the weekend, going to each other’s weddings, travelling together. We’re a team in the true sense, and that’s what keeps people happy, engaged, and sticking around for the long haul. When you get the culture right, everything else follows.
Q: How have you grown, personally and professionally?
A: I’ve learned that you’ve got to invest in yourself. Don’t wait for things to be handed to you—be proactive, ask for what you need, go after training and development opportunities, and be open about your goals. The more you own your journey, the more support you get along the way.
Mitch’s journey is proof that when you back yourself, lean into change and surround yourself with the right people, there’s no limit to where you can go. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up, there’s a lot to learn from his story—and plenty more happening every day at BlueRock.
