Finance Professionals: Insights & Resources

Fractional CFOs in Sydney to Watch

Ryan Stevens
June 18, 2025
All Insights
Finance Professionals: Insights & Resources

Fractional CFOs in Sydney to Watch for in 2025

Sydney Outsourced Fractional CFOs to Know in 2025

In Sydney, finance isn't just a function—it's a force. From the fintech accelerators in Barangaroo to the logistics powerhouses in the Western Suburbs, businesses are rapidly growing—and with that growth comes complexity. That’s where Fractional CFOs step in. They are the strategic guides behind cash flow overhauls, M&A moves, and system upgrades, offering elite financial leadership without the full-time price tag.

As part of our ongoing commitment to spotlighting transformational talent, Digital Reference is proud to present our curated 2025 list of Sydney-based Fractional CFOs to watch. Some are solo operators, some lead boutique firms, and others act as embedded consultants within larger advisory groups—but all bring distinct, proven financial strategies to the businesses they serve.

And if you’re new to Digital Reference, check out our About Page. We’re not just listing names—we’re introducing you to people who are shaping the future of finance.

Our Methodology - Sydney Fractional CFO Services

This list wasn’t cobbled together from LinkedIn headlines. It’s the result of deep research across credentials, impact, and relevance, including:

  • Strategic roles in cash flow, funding, systems, and governance

  • A proven ability to deliver ROI through financial transformation

  • Active consulting presence in the Sydney area, with recent projects

  • Testimonials, public case studies, and meaningful client wins

We sought out professionals who exemplify Digital Reference values: clarity, strategic thinking, tech fluency, and transparency.

Meet the Fractional CFOs of Sydney, Australia

Matt Parry

Founder – CFO Evolve
LinkedIn

Matt Parry blends ASX readiness with startup agility. His firm, CFO Evolve, helps companies align financial storytelling with funding milestones. He has deep experience guiding SaaS and tech companies through scaling and investor negotiations.

🌟 Highlights

  • 💰 Orchestrated a $50M Series B raise, structuring financial ops for scale

  • 📊 Built multi-scenario forecasts that became standard for board decision-making

  • 🔧 Embedded ERP and cash flow tools tailored for fast-growing digital businesses

Matt exemplifies the CFO as a strategic accelerator—financial rigor meets go-to-market momentum.

Sue Hirst

Director – CFO On-Call
LinkedIn

Sue Hirst is a veteran in fractional CFO services. With over 30 years of experience, she specializes in cash flow optimization, governance structures, and cost containment—especially for SMEs.

🌟 Highlights

  • 📉 Reduced costs by 18% in a $300M retail company

  • 📦 Designed scalable finance functions for firms transitioning from startup to SME

  • 📘 Regular thought leader and finance educator for small business owners

Michael Derin

Founder – Azure Group

LinkedIn

Michael brings a rare combination of technical depth and growth vision. He’s guided companies through IPO prep, R&D tax strategy, and cross-border expansion—especially within tech and medtech.

🌟 Highlights

  • 🌏 Designed tax and capital structures for global expansion

  • 📈 Helped tech companies raise growth capital while maintaining compliance integrity

  • 🔐 Built robust financial control frameworks for scale

Michael is a blueprint for what a strategic CFO partner looks like in high-growth, regulated industries.

Joel Alderden

Principal – SC3Sixty
LinkedIn

Joel Alderden is the operational CFO’s CFO. His work with SC3Sixty centers on hands-on transformation—fixing reporting, realigning KPIs, and developing dashboards that actually drive decisions.

🌟 Highlights

  • 📊 Developed real-time reporting frameworks for inventory-heavy businesses

  • 🔄 Reduced financial close times and implemented rolling forecasts

  • 🤝 Partnered with founders to refine capital efficiency and resource allocation

Joel represents the kind of mid-stage growth strategist that many businesses badly need. Learn more about Joel in our coverage of Fractional COOs in Sydney.

Benedict Youn

Partner – Quantum House
LinkedIn

Benedict brings a unique blend of accounting and legal insight, ideal for high-net-worth families and professional services. He handles complex structuring with grace, balancing tax strategy with succession planning.

🌟 Highlights

  • 🏛 Orchestrated wealth transitions across multi-entity structures

  • 🔍 Built risk-mitigated frameworks for estate and investment operations

  • ⚖️ Integrated trust, compliance, and business advisory functions

He’s a quiet powerhouse for clients who need more than just spreadsheets—they need financial insight with legacy thinking.

Kim Stewart-Smith

Founder – Stewart Smith Advisory
LinkedIn

Kim leads with strategic board alignment, focusing on performance measurement and financial redesign. Her work spans education, property, and consulting verticals.

🌟 Highlights

  • 📈 Built board-ready reporting packs for ASX-adjacent businesses

  • 🛠 Implemented continuous improvement cycles in underperforming finance teams

  • 💡 Advised on cost-centre reorgs and strategic pivots in uncertain markets

Kim is the epitome of a finance partner who elevates boardrooms and builds sustainable governance.

Ram K.

Virtual CFO – KGBM
LinkedIn

Ram specializes in helping SaaS and early-stage businesses set up and professionalize their finance function. Think CAC, LTV, MRR—all mapped to scalable strategy.

🌟 Highlights

  • 📈 Helped bootstrapped tech firms achieve funding-readiness through cash-flow modeling

  • 📐 Created frameworks for pricing strategy and subscription growth

  • 🧮 Set up lean finance teams to operate with agility and board visibility

Ram’s precision around unit economics makes him indispensable for founders in tech-driven growth stages.

Wayne Wanders

Founder – A Real CFO
LinkedIn

Wayne helps business owners translate numbers into business stories. Focused on the SME space, he tackles budgeting, forecasting, and financial clarity head-on.

🌟 Highlights

  • 💸 Saved a manufacturing SME $200K through strategic cash flow oversight

  • 📊 Created real-time finance dashboards for retail operators

  • 🧭 Trained internal teams on P&L ownership and budget variance analysis

Wayne is the finance whisperer for businesses that need confidence, not confusion.

Michael Wark

Independent CFO
LinkedIn

Michael works primarily with NFPs and professional service firms. His strength lies in embedding financial literacy into organizations—training teams while leading strategy.

🌟 Highlights

  • 📘 Built finance foundations for growing not-for-profits

  • 🤖 Automated reporting processes with Xero and PowerBI

  • 🧩 Introduced rolling forecasts and budget discipline across multidisciplinary teams

Michael proves that fractional doesn’t mean shallow—he digs deep and leaves organizations better than he found them.

Final Thoughts from Digital Reference

Every one of these professionals was chosen not just for their credentials, but because they align with Digital Reference’s values—clarity, impact, tech-forward strategy, and ecosystem fluency.

Sydney is home to a wave of growth-ready businesses. And in 2025, their success won’t just depend on great ideas or smart marketing—it will hinge on financial clarity, strategic decisions, and partners who know how to build systems that last.

If you’re looking to scale, restructure, or just gain real-time clarity into your numbers, these CFOs are the ones to know. And if you need help finding the right fit, Digital Reference is here to make it easier, smarter, and tailored to your journey.

Want to keep exploring? Don’t miss our other resources:

Here’s to better decisions, powered by better finance.

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