Join us in congratulating Carlia Morgan – Highview’s newest Partner!
Highview is THRILLED to announce and congratulate Carlia Morgan as our newest Partner of our leadership group. She will be heading up our next venture – providing Highview services to the Bass Coast region!
Carlia has been an integral team member of Highview for 15 years. CPA qualified, she’s a highly driven, passionate, and committed Accountant with a strong and diverse portfolio of experience. Mentored by Highview’s Co-Founder Silvio Marinelli, Carlia’s genuine care towards her clients and willingness to go above and beyond is – and has always been – at her core.
“I feel incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to grow and lead the business in a new region. Born in Wonthaggi, I feel a great sense of pride in taking on this role and continuing to build on the trust and confidence our clients have in Highview and offer our excellent service, knowledge and expertise to the Bass Coast residents and local community.”
– Wonthaggi North Primary School.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on Carlia’s professional journey…
Carlia joined Highview in 2008, one year before she graduated with a degree in accounting. From day one, she’s had the privilege of being mentored by Silvio. Over the years, her hard work, professionalism, skills and personable nature stood out to not only Silvio, but all Highview Partners and her clients. It was evident that her level of passion and dedication to her role would pave the way for an exciting career ahead. Her role evolved over the years from a Graduate Accountant into a Senior Accountant, then a Client Services Manager – leading and mentoring a team of Accountants herself.
Carlia, being the ambitious and career-driven woman that she is, knew that she wanted to strive for even more, “I always had a goal of becoming a Partner at Highview. But never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get the opportunity to be a sole Partner of a new office in my hometown of Wonthaggi. To have my own office, building a new team, whilst getting the support of Highview is a dream come true for me!”
So, what made Carlia a standout? It wasn’t simply the hard work within her role that would see her succeed. She says being personable and trustworthy were key skills that helped her build her clientele and ultimately pave the way for her career succession, now becoming a Partner. “You can learn Accounting at University, and then study further to become a CPA. However, there is one thing that study or a University degree won’t teach you, and that is that you need to be able to demonstrate empathy, understanding and be able to truly listen to a client. I have come to realise that people will approach you with complex and private situations – but only if they trust you. I have dealt with clients going through divorce, tragedy, death, and family disputes – many things I never anticipated. Unexpectedly, I have learned that one of my greatest strengths is to be a solution-focused advocate for them, assisting not only with taxation and finances, but with personal issues also. I care deeply and I take time to really understand my client’s long and short-term goals – and address them as they change over time, which is incredibly important!”
Carlia has built a trusted community of clients who remain loyal because of this unique and intrinsic skill. She’s an amazing Accountant, but there are hundreds of those. She stands out because once she has connected with a client, the care and expertise she provides is unwavering. When she calls a client with a problem that may have arisen, she always ensures she is one step ahead.
“Being adaptable and results-oriented is paramount for me. If I need to contact a client and present them with an issue, I will always make sure I have at least a couple of solutions prior to the conversation. It is important for my clients to know that even though there is something that can be considered problematic, that I am there to offer my expert advice to diffuse it, and ensure we have a positive outcome.”
Highview is a business that has always encouraged work / life balance for all employees. Because of this, Carlia has continued to successfully juggle her work commitments whilst growing her beautiful family with husband, Justin. She was able to progress her career and work towards her end goal, as well as being present for her children’s important milestones – even the simple things like school pick-ups and drop-offs, which were super important to her. The support she’s received from her hubby Justin, alongside that of her colleagues and Partners of Highview, has been integral to her journey and she often highlights how incredibly grateful she is of those around her – her No.1 supporters!
You would think that Carlia’s dedication to her work and her family would keep her busy enough. But over the years, she has demonstrated enormous commitment to other avenues as well. She is the President of Woodbine Road Preschool Committee, Vice President of Casey Fields Primary School Parent’s Committee and was Team Manager for her son’s basketball team. As well as all this, she has a successfully achieved her Bachelor of Commerce, her CPA, and is a Public Practice Practitioner.
The whole team at Highview are excited to welcome Carlia to the leadership group. She is the second female Partner, after Co-Founder, Heather Crowther. What an achievement! We have been along for her 15-year journey and seen the career and equally family focused woman achieve so much; graduating, getting married, becoming a mother to her boys Zach and Huddy, attending first days of primary school, and now, becoming a HIGHVIEW PARTNER!
Carlia has undoubtedly earned her position joining the leadership group. Her growth and career journey aligns with our business’ Guiding Principles; she is a leader that is committed to continual improvement, leads passionately with conviction, and positively balances a healthy work-life balance. She too lives and breathes our business’s Core Values; her actions exceed expectations, are well considered and proactive and her personal nature to show empathy and build long term trust is unquestionable. Importantly, Carlia delivers her client’s value with integrity.
Our Highview Crew couldn’t be prouder.
Carlia’s mentor Silvio Marinelli shares his delight in her success…
“Carlia was a young and enthusiastic student when she first walked through the doors of Highview 15 years ago, after a recommendation from some trusted clients and friends of mine. Carlia took to accounting like a duck to water – she was hardworking, a very fast learner, loyal and customer-focused. The way she always put clients first really aligned with my personal business values – I wanted to lead a business with a positive culture and with a client centric approach. I saw her develop – not just as an Accountant, but as a woman. I have been privileged to celebrate with her on her wedding day marrying Justin, becoming a mother to two wonderful children and pursue her dreams… it’s been great front row viewing! I have witnessed her evolution into a very competent and skilled manager who is now ready to leave the Highview nest at Cranbourne and pave her own path in the Bass Coast region. I could not be prouder of her as a person, colleague and now Highview Partner. I’m so excited for this opportunity that I know she will succeed in, and I’m not letting go of these front row seats! Carlia is family and I very much love our relationship and will continue to build on it for many more years to come.“
