Getting to Know: Stephen O'Connor
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Stephen O’Connor, aka SOC. I am married to Barbara and we have two adult children. I am a Certified Financial Planner professional, an Authorised Financial Adviser and the principal of Invercargill-based Mitre Wealth Management. We offer fee based advice (predominantly wealth management) to our client base of around 100. I employ an amazing assistant, Janna, who has been with me for 13 years. I have served in multiple industry roles over the years, including IFA President in 2004/5 and FPSB Board Chairman in 2009/10. I am a member of the current Code Committee, but will become redundant once the new code is developed and comes into force.
How did you get into the industry?
After completing a commerce degree at Otago University and working as a Chartered Accountant, I decided it would be a good idea to go work as a client adviser at an NZX firm... the year was 1987! Following that, I was approached by Ken Swain (who I had worked with during my time as a CA) to join his National Mutual aligned advisory firm as General Manager. It was during my time at Swains that I not only gained valuable knowledge of the risk management aspect of financial advice, but was first exposed to the concept of comprehensive financial planning. In 1992, I established Southern Investment Services Ltd, which now trades as Mitre Wealth Management.
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