Grow Your Business with a Virtual CFO.

Connecting business owners with flexible financial expertise that drives business growth.

At Olive Business Partners, our mission is simple: to help you achieve your business goals in a strategic and sustainable way.

As your business grows, the decisions get bigger but so do the risks and challenges.

Whether you're planning to hire a team, invest in technology, expand into new markets, launch new products, take on larger clients, raise capital, or prepare for acquisition, we’ll help you make informed financial decisions that support your long-term success.

Like the olive tree, we believe in steady, resilient growth. We connect ambitious business owners with experienced CFOs, providing tailored support for the stage you're at and the challenges you're facing. Our flexible model gives you access to expert financial guidance when and where you need it, without the cost of a full-time CFO.

Our Founder

Sarah Petty is the Founder of Olive Business Partners and a qualified CPA, having held senior roles across a mix of startups, fast-growing scale-ups, and globally recognised brands. Her experience includes working with companies such as GE, Kraft Foods, Mondelez, Lion, Bega, Kellogg’s and Wesfarmers.

Sarah is passionate about helping purpose-driven leaders scale with confidence and financial clarity. She also contributes her expertise on several boards and is a regular speaker and panelist at industry events.

Our Team of CFOs

Our team of Virtual CFOs are qualified finance professionals with hands-on leadership experience across a range of industries. Whether you're scaling, entering new markets, raising capital, or preparing for a sale, we’ll match you with a CFO who brings the right expertise and cultural fit. Our CFOs are based across Australia and work seamlessly with you and your team, no matter where you're located.

Our Clients

What’s your business goal? We can help.

 FAQs

  • Understanding the roles of an accountant, bookkeeper, and virtual CFO can help you decide which financial support is best for your business.

    Bookkeeper: A bookkeeper manages day-to-day financial transactions, including recording income and expenses, processing invoices, and reconciling bank statements. They ensure your financial records are accurate and up-to-date.

    Accountant: An accountant helps with tasks such as preparing financial statements, filing taxes, and providing guidance on your business structure. They offer insights into your financial health based on historical data and help you comply with regulatory requirements.

    Virtual CFO: A virtual CFO provides high-level strategic financial guidance and help you to look forward. They assist with financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial decision-making. A virtual CFO is particularly valuable for businesses looking to scale, as they bring expertise in growth strategies, funding options and profit optimisation.

    All of these roles are important for a growing business and often they will work together to provide seamless financial support for your business.

  • A Virtual CFO will be flexible based on the needs of your business. The frequency of engagement depends on factors like your business size, complexity, and stage of growth. Typically, this can range from monthly to weekly, but may flex up and down through the peaks and troughs of your business.

  • Hiring a talented and experienced in-house CFO can be a lengthy and expensive process. On top of this, a full time CFO does not allow for flexible resource allocation during business peaks and troughs.

    With a Virtual CFO, your business can access CFO-level expertise on a flexible basis without the high costs and rigidity associated with a full-time employee.

  • A Virtual CFO will help your business grow and improve financial performance by providing strategic financial guidance tailored to your business's specific needs. They will analyse your financial data, identify growth opportunities, and create a strategic plan to scale your business effectively.

    A Virtual CFO will also help you manage cash flow, optimise expenses, and implement financial controls to ensure long-term profitability. By offering insights into key financial metrics and risks, they enable better decision making, which can lead to increased efficiency, higher profitability, and sustainable growth.

  • No, not always.

    At Olive Business Partners, we are committed to a fully flexible work environment that allows us to thrive, both within our company and for our clients.

    When you engage with us, your business can access an experienced CFO’s expertise on a flexible basis that suits your business needs.

    Whether you prefer remote assistance, on-site support (in Melbourne), or a blend of both, we can provide ongoing and project-based options to accommodate your requirements.

  • The cost of a Virtual CFO varies widely depending on the level of service, complexity of your business, and the expertise of the CFO.

    At Olive Business Partners, we have a range of packages to suit your stage of growth. View our Services for more info.

    A Virtual CFO is often a much more affordable option than hiring a full-time, in-house CFO which can cost upwards of $250,000 per annum plus incentives.