By Narelle Coulter
A new purpose-built office complex in Cranbourne has cemented Highview Accounting and Financial’s position as one of the region’s homegrown success stories.
On 20 June Highview Accounting and Financial staff and a select group of the practice’s most loyal business partners and clients gathered to celebrate a significant milestone in the growth of the iconic Casey business.
From humble beginnings, the firm has grown to employ nearly 50 staff across three offices in Cranbourne, Mornington and Prahran.
Its symbolic heart remains in Cranbourne where a new purpose-built office in Codrington Street has made Highview one of the suburb’s most prominent and visible businesses.
The official opening was a proud moment for directors Silvio Marinelli, Darren Crowther, Dave Sheahan and associate director Nick McPhillips.
The project had been a three-year dream for the directors who say staff have embraced their new working environment.
Set over three levels, the light modern building boasts a suite of offices which run in a semi-circle around a central administration/reception hub on the middle level.
On the top level are a boardroom, smaller meeting room and large staff kitchen with outdoor deck. The bottom level has car parking and an ample storage room.
“They love the vibe here,” said Darren, whose mum Heather Crowther together with Silvio Marinelli bought the business in 2001.
“I genuinely believe this office has contributed to a lift in culture as well.
“What we’ve ended up with is exactly what we envisaged. It’s given us more car parking, lots more internal space with natural light, lots of storage, plus great street frontage. It’s put all staff on one level and given us room to grow.”
Silvio and Dave agreed, saying the building had exceeded expectations.
“You can just tell the staff are happier,” Silvio said.
“This new office is very light and bright with large open space. Little things like that make a real difference.”
The completion of the new building has co-incided with an expansion in the suite of services offered by Highview.
The directors have embarked on a strategy to expand the firm’s areas of expertise. The suite of services offered by Highview now includes accounting, financial planning, finance, insurance, bookkeeping and legal advice.
The partners hope the new alliances with experienced experts will help Highview attract clients that require a suite of professional services as well as improve its service to existing ones.
Finance and lending expert Andrew Brumby, insurance advisor Michael Stewart and financial planner Bruce Chisholm were among those who watched on proudly as Silvio and Casey mayor Sam Aziz snipped a bright green ribbon to officially open the new office.
Cr Aziz said Highview’s new office was “symbolic of the progress and success we like to see in this great city of ours”.
He commended Highview for its community focus calling the business “an icon of this part of our city”.
“The builder has done a fantastic job and I believe it is carbon neutral building.
“Highview has been the Casey Business of the Year, which is further testament to the excellence and best practice you exhibit on your organisation. I am sure you will continue to go from strength to strength.”
The partners are adamant that as Highview Accounting and Financial grows, it won’t lose its focus as a family-orientated business.
“It definitely had its grass roots as a family business,” Darren said.
“As the business has grown, I still think we’ve got that culture now. Everyone who works here enjoys working here and enjoys each other’s company. As the business continues to grow it might develop more of a corporate feeling, but we are trying to put in a lot of effort keeping that family feeling alive.”
Silvio agrees.
“While our numbers have changed, I think we’ve constantly invested back in the business from a cultural point of view. As the firm’s grown I don’t think it’s lost that personal touch, which is very important.”
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