Accounting alumna achieves partnership milestone before turning 30
When Nikaylia Wise left Mackay after school to pursue a career in the performing arts, she never imagined she would return home, complete a CQUniversity accounting degree and become a partner in a successful accounting firm before her 30th birthday.
Today, the CQUniversity Bachelor of Accounting alumna is a director and part-owner of Mackay-based Inspire Accounting, achieving a career goal she set for herself almost a decade ago.
"I originally had a passion for the performing arts and was pursuing this in Sydney after school," Nikaylia said.
"After 18 months, I decided it wasn't for me and fell back on my backup plan of studying accounting."
That backup plan emerged in Year 12 when she swapped into an accounting class and discovered a natural aptitude for the subject.
"I already had a love for maths, so accounting made sense," she said.
"I quickly found that I really enjoyed it and realised I had a solid career option if performing arts didn't work out."
Nikaylia began her studies on the Gold Coast before returning to Mackay and transferring to CQUniversity's Bachelor of Accounting. The move allowed her to continue studying full-time while being closer to family.
"Coming back to Mackay to study was important because I realised working part-time and studying full-time away from home wasn't sustainable," she said.
"Being able to move back and have the support of my parents while continuing to study full-time was great."
She said CQUniversity's accounting-focused degree also aligned with her career ambitions.
"CQUniversity was the choice because it is based in Mackay and offered a Bachelor of Accounting," she said.
"I liked that it had more accounting-focused subjects rather than a broader Bachelor of Commerce."
While completing her studies, Nikaylia joined Inspire Accounting in February 2017 and quickly developed a clear career goal.
"I learnt very quickly that I was career-focused and wanted to become a partner," she said.
That ambition became reality on 1 July 2026 when she was appointed partner, director and part-owner of the firm.
"It was a big achievement that I was thrilled to achieve just before turning 30."
Along the way, Nikaylia became a Chartered Accountant and built the technical expertise and practical experience needed to progress into leadership.
She believes combining study with workplace experience was critical to her success.
"I think studying while working in the same area is extremely important so that what is being learnt in subjects can be applied in real-life work," she said.
Outside the office, Nikaylia is passionate about sport, the arts and community leadership. She plays social basketball twice a week and serves as President of Mackay Young Professionals and Treasurer of Crossroad Arts, an inclusive arts organisation supporting people with disability and members of the d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
She said community involvement has played an important role in both her personal and professional growth.
"Having a strong presence in the Mackay community has been extremely important for my success as an accountant and business adviser by developing relationships with external businesses who can support my clients," she said.
"I also love to give, so wherever I can support others with my expertise is something I am passionate about."
As President of Mackay Young Professionals, Nikaylia is committed to creating opportunities for emerging leaders to connect, learn and grow.
"Young Professionals allowed me to make great relationships with like-minded people and meet people who are now my mentors, so being able to repay that favour and give this opportunity to the next generation is what I'm most passionate about," she said.
Her advice to current CQUniversity students is to seek practical experience early and build strong community connections.
"If you aren't already working in accounting or a business setting, look to do so because you get so much more out of practical application and can apply this well to your studies," she said.
"Building relationships is also important, so put yourself out there at community events."
Looking ahead, Nikaylia hopes to continue strengthening her community involvement while delivering exceptional service to clients and further developing her leadership skills.
For someone who once dreamed of a career on stage, becoming a partner in her hometown accounting firm may not have been part of Nikaylia’s original script, but it certainly has proven to be the perfect role.
Inspired by Nikaylia's journey? Discover how CQUniversity's Bachelor of Accounting can help you build the skills, knowledge and industry connections for a rewarding career in accounting, business and finance.
