Meet Bernadette Garratt – Roberts + Morrow

Bernadette Garratt has reached her goal of becoming Partner at Roberts + Morrow Armidale. How did she get there? By following in the footsteps of the women before her, leaning into the support offered by the firm and telling imposter syndrome to take a hike.

 

Since numbers are at the very core of accounting, it seems apt to begin this article with some stats.

First, the good news. According to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, around half of the world’s accountants are women. That’s some stellar progress since years gone by, but (yep, this is the not-so-good news) a recent Accountancy Age survey revealed that only one in five women in accounting are in leadership roles. When it comes to Australia specifically, just 32.5 per cent of management positions are held by women.

Enter Roberts + Morrow. The regionally grown business was listed at number five on the 2024 Australian Financial Review’s list of firms with the highest percentage of female Partners. And Bernadette Garratt is one of them.

“As a side note, we were also placed 41st out of the top 100 Accounting Firms overall,” she adds.

Impressive – both the firm and the woman. Bernadette’s career with Roberts + Morrow started in administration and reception. In the space of 18 years, she worked her way up to Cadet (while achieving her accounting degree at Armidale’s UNE), then Senior Accountant, Managing Associate and now Partner. It’s a career path made all the more possible thanks to Roberts + Morrow’s dedication to supporting women in leadership roles.

“When I became a Partner four years ago – I knew that goal was possible thanks to the women I worked for and looked up to at Roberts + Morrow in my earlier years with the firm,” she says.

“Seeing them lead proved that we can strike the balance between business leadership and home life, because let’s face it, juggling motherhood with a career is tough – but it’s not impossible.”

Bernadette’s right. Adding children to the mix is a challenge that often triggers (or enhances) imposter syndrome in many women. In fact, a 2022 study by The Hub Spot revealed that a whopping 90 per cent of women will be impacted by imposter syndrome at some stage in their career. One of the best ways to beat it? Focus on the facts.

“I remind myself daily that I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t capable of doing the role – especially on the days where I feel like I’m not doing enough at work or I’m not there for my kids as much as I should be,” says Bernadette.

“You’ve got to talk yourself up and give yourself the confidence to keep going because nobody else is necessarily going to notice you’re feeling that way, let alone give you a pep talk. Although, I will say that my husband is very supportive and together with the flexibility offered by the firm, I know I’m able to perform at my best both at work and at home.”

To do just that, Bernadette has developed some non-negotiables.

1. If she needs to work late one night, she’ll make up the time with her kids another day.
2. If there’s a school presentation or event, she knows she can leave work early to attend and make up the time in the office the next day.
3. As for the weekends – they’re strictly for family. Do NOT open the laptop.

“It’s a juggle, but the trick is to remain flexible, try not to pressure yourself to be everything all the time, and remember, if you weren’t capable, you wouldn’t be there in the first place.”

Roberts + Morrow Armidale | 137 Beardy Street | Armidale NSW 2350 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Photography Matt Gaffney, Favor + Union Photography