Jolene Elliott is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years’ experience and the founder of Karlaya Accounting & Business Advisory. As a proud Yamatji woman, Jolene has personally experienced the challenges of not fitting into traditional roles. Recognising the lack of Indigenous representation in the accounting profession, she established Karlaya to go beyond the conventional firm—driving meaningful change while staying true to her cultural values. 

In 2025, Jolene was named Indigenous Accountant of the Year at the Australian Accounting Awards, a recognition of her leadership, impact, and commitment to culturally safe and inclusive financial services.

Under Jolene’s leadership, Karlaya has become a trusted advisor to a diverse and growing community of clients nationwide—delivering financial guidance that is jargon-free, culturally inclusive, and deeply aligned with purpose. Her work with not-for-profit organisations, particularly those serving Indigenous and marginalised communities, is a cornerstone of her practice. Jolene is passionate about helping NFPs build financial sustainability, strengthen governance, and amplify their impact—ensuring they can thrive and continue delivering vital services.   Jolene holds a Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Business Leadership from the University of Melbourne and contributes to the advancement of future Indigenous professionals through her role on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Panel with Chartered Accountants ANZ. She also serves on the Board of the Brisbane Indigenous Media Association (BIMA), is Supply Nation certified, and recently graduated from the Company Directors Course with AICD—bringing both technical expertise and lived experience to conversations around building equitable, purpose-driven organisations.

Jolene is a powerful voice for Indigenous business and community-led enterprise—championing a future where accountants are not just number-crunchers, but enablers of impact, inclusion, and intergenerational change.