Jamie, why OAK
As the co-founder and director of OAK Business Services, a Chartered Accountant, ex-auditor, and Tax Agent, I want to use my skills, experience, and expertise to help you and your businesses take the next step in organisation and growth!
Twelve years ago, I spent nine months volunteering in India and Zimbabwe where I managed projects and provided operational & accounting support for not-for-profits. Upon returning to Australia, I left the corporate world at PwC to work for a highly regarded not-for-profit. I knew it was a steppingstone to something that felt more aligned for me at the time.
Commencing my career as an auditor gave me one of the best foundations possible as an accountant. It was as an auditor that I became a Chartered Accountant. The experience and learning were phenomenal. I worked with world class experts and received like training. My client portfolio was broad, which gave me excellent insights into various industries.
During my time as an auditor, I was fortunate to be selected by the PwC Foundation to participate in an advocacy programme that included travel to India & Bangladesh. The purpose was to gain a stronger understanding of the challenges facing those people living below the poverty line.
I took a leave of absence from PwC, and my wife, and I went back to India and then Zimbabwe. We rejuvenated a school in India that schooled children from a leprosy community and in Zimbabwe we setup a school for children living in the most severe poverty. We established a charity in Australia to support the school in Zimbabwe, which runs to this day.
Upon my return from a year of volunteering, I realised that although I enjoyed the corporate world, I wanted to use my skills and experience in the not-for-profit humanitarian and development sector. I left PwC and moved into World Vision, where I started as a Senior Accountant and finished after several years as the Head of Business Improvement. I led teams to improve accounting practices, better inform the executives through reporting, and improve processes to better focus resources on value adding activities.
After leaving World Vision we had two beautiful boys. I consulted in the corporate world to maintain flexibility for work and being with the children, I wanted to know them, and them know me, at a deeper level. I worked with 7-Eleven corporate and Save the Children Australia. I also had a small business on the side which taught me the intricacies of running a business solo, and with a business partner.
I truly value family, community, and contribution. These values direct how I live and what I do in business and life.
Reflecting on how much I enjoyed having a small business and working with various stakeholders, I realised that I wanted to help others in business. The skills and knowledge I acquired running a small business was something that other small businesses needed too. I then began to help other small businesses with their strategy, operations, and finances. Helping small to medium size businesses prepare for and take the next steps in their business was what I enjoyed most!
That’s what inspired me with the idea of starting a business that could support other businesses in their growth and sustainability. Two brains are better than one, so I spoke with my cousin, Sarah, who was working as a financial controller at the time. Having worked with small businesses, Sarah was excited with the concept. We kept on talking and came up with the idea to create a business support hub that small businesses could rely on for all things accounting, with a focus on growing their business to provide a foundation for their lifestyle. We partnered up, and it began, in 2018!
We pride ourselves on being different because we view our clients as partners. As partners, we get to know each other, allowing us to better assist in helping you understand your finances and provide better advice and tools for you to implement. Ultimately, you’ll have peace of mind and security knowing someone is looking out for you!
Which is why we specialise in working with small businesses that want to grow, but not at the expense of their lifestyle. Our experience indicates that business owners want to run their business and not be run by their business. Ideally a business will run itself through systems, processes, and even employees – allowing the owners to live a lifestyle they want!
Contact me, Jamie Jaworski, today to learn how I can support your business and help you move forward into the next chapter.