Jared Ooi

Jared brings over 3.5 years of recruitment expertise specialising in Contract Accounting & Finance. His career journey began in personal training and gym management before transitioning into recruitment after a formative three-year period living in London.

A lifelong North Shore resident who recently made the move to Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, Jared is passionate about fitness, culinary adventures and entertainment ranging from blockbuster films to musical theatre. When he's not placing top talent, you'll find him exploring local venues, enjoying weekend beers or catching live music.

As a dedicated sports enthusiast, Jared proudly supports the North Queensland Cowboys and Tottenham Hotspur, a combination that has taught him resilience and the art of managing expectations. His diverse background in fitness, international experience, and recruitment acumen brings a unique perspective to connecting candidates with their ideal opportunities.

The Changing Role of the Finance Manager

September 2, 2026

The role of the Finance Manager is changing. Traditionally, Finance Managers have been responsible for financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting and compliance. Today, organisations increasingly expect them to do much more: influence strategy, support commercial decisions and lead finance transformation. For businesses hiring their next finance leader, the question is no longer simply whether someone can manage the numbers. Can they help the business make better decisions? 5 capabilities shaping the next generation of Finance Managers 1. Commercial thinking Finance Managers are increasingly expected to move beyond reporting what happened and help shape what happens next. That means understanding the broader business, challenging assumptions and translating financial insights into commercial recommendations. In Australia, Hays has identified commercial acumen as one of the most important capabilities for senior finance leaders, highlighting the growing importance of finance professionals who can operate as true business partners. 2. FP&A and strategic planning Forecasting and budgeting remain core responsibilities, but today's Finance Manager needs to think in scenarios. Strong FP&A capability allows finance leaders to identify risks, model opportunities and give leadership teams a clearer view of what lies ahead. 3. Technology and transformation Automation, AI, data and ERP transformation are changing how finance teams operate. Finance Managers don't need to be technologists, but they do need to understand how technology can improve processes, reporting and decision-making. According to Hays, 51% of organisations in Australia's Financial and Insurance Services sector report skills gaps, reinforcing the challenge businesses face in finding professionals with the right combination of technical and future-focused capabilities. 4. Communication and influence The modern Finance Manager needs to communicate with more than the finance team. Whether presenting to executives, partnering with operations or challenging a commercial decision, they need to turn complex financial information into clear, actionable insights. Technical expertise gets the conversation started. Communication and influence help move it forward. 5. People leadership As finance functions become more strategic and multidisciplinary, Finance Managers are also becoming increasingly important people leaders. The ability to develop talent, lead change and build high-performing teams is becoming just as important as technical capability. Hiring for what comes next The best Finance Manager for an organisation isn't necessarily the person with the longest list of technical credentials. It is the person whose capabilities match where the business is going. For a growing organisation, that might mean commerciality and FP&A. For an ASX-listed business, it could be reporting, governance and stakeholder management. For a business undergoing transformation, technology and change leadership may be critical.