Matthew Karpanen brings nearly three decades of expertise in accounting, business advisory, and guiding financial planning businesses. A seasoned professional and former owner/CEO of a multidisciplinary firm, he offers a wealth of knowledge on what it takes to operate a thriving business. From major projects like self-licensing to driving growth and clarity, Matthew is passionate about helping firm owners achieve their goals.

Matthew joins Slipstream Group after exiting from Navigate Advisors, where he led a multidisciplinary team across accounting, financial planning, advisory, mortgage broking, and business coaching for 10 years. As CEO, Matthew fostered a culture of collaboration and innovation, empowering his team to deliver exceptional outcomes for clients. His leadership was guided by his core belief that “everyone deserves a fulfilling lifestyle” – a principle he proudly carries into his coaching at Slipstream.

Matthew’s coaching style is direct, insightful, and grounded in real-world experience. He believes in tackling challenges head-on, having the necessary tough conversations with professionalism and respect, rather than offering sugar-coated solutions that delay progress. Drawing from his extensive career, Matthew excels at identifying the critical steps needed to ensure success 18–24 months down the track. He’s renowned for his ability to map out long-term strategies while orchestrating the short-term actions and decisions that make those plans achievable. Having “sat in the chair” himself, Matthew brings first-hand knowledge and a no-nonsense approach, ensuring his clients feel supported, understood, and equipped to navigate the complexities of running a business.

Matthew offers a unique perspective to his clients, having been a Slipstream Group client before joining the team. Navigate Advisors began working with Slipstream in 2019 and continue to be a client today. With first-hand experience of the coaching process, Matthew understands what it’s like to work with a coach and achieve significant transformation within a firm. This experience enhances the quality of his advice, as he draws on his own journey to deeply understand and empathise with what challenges his client’s are facing.

Matthew’s coaching philosophy is built on trust, collaboration, and a commitment to seeing his clients thrive. He is dedicated to guiding firm owners to achieve not only professional milestones but also the fulfilling lifestyle they envision for themselves and their families – his desire is that when a client’s coaching journey comes to an end they are that much closer to living a fulfilled life (whatever that may be for them) then when they started.

Personally...
Outside of work, Matthew treasures the time he spends with his wife and daughter, embracing the priceless moments that come with family life. One of their favourite traditions is the annual “Wayneabago” holiday – a joyful getaway with his parents, aunt, and uncle that’s filled with laughter, fun, and memories to cherish. For Matthew, these experiences are at the heart of why he does what he does: creating a life where his daughter remembers him as a dad who showed up – at assemblies, sports carnivals, and everyday moments – rather than as someone too busy chasing success to make time for what truly matters.

He loves playing a round of golf but can be best described as a ‘Sunday hacker’. Improving his game is a personal goal, with dreams of one day breaking into single-digit handicaps – or at least get the golf gods to stop laughing at his attempts!

His wife would tell you that he would watch two ants racing up a wall if that was a sport – he loves all forms of sport and is a passionate Essendon Bombers member and a very frustrated West Tigers supporter.