Our Operations Manager, Olivia, shares her reflections on working in the financial services industry below…
“A year in, I’ve learned that finance isn’t just about numbers. It’s about communication, clarity, structure, and helping people feel less overwhelmed by something that affects every part of their lives”.
A mentor once told me that I’ve “latticed and weaved” my career around interesting opportunities rather than following the traditional path a law graduate might take. That approach is ultimately what led me into the financial services industry, a place I hadn’t imagined myself, but one I’ve come to genuinely enjoy. It has reshaped how I think about money, decision‑making, and the way people interact with both.
I’ve been at McBride Wealth for a year now, working as Operations Manager across compliance, policy, communications, marketing, events, and the systems that support advice. The work itself feels familiar; the industry is what’s new. And from this viewpoint, I’ve gained a clearer sense of how the finance world actually works.
What has stood out most is that financial services isn’t solely about numbers at all. It’s about people. How they feel, what they worry about, what they hope for, and how they make decisions about their finances. The numbers matter, but the people behind them matter more.
I’ve also learned how much people value simplicity. Finance can feel complicated from the outside, and jargon can get in the way. But when you strip away the jargon and explain ideas in plain English, people relax. They feel more in control. They make better decisions because they understand what they’re looking at. I’m still learning the language myself. There are plenty of terms I’ve had to look up (or ask Tom about), including the difference between ETFs and managed funds, or what “hedging” actually means.
Clarity, I’ve realised, is essential. There are a lot of acronyms, rules, and processes that aren’t always intuitive. Good communication turns something intimidating into something worth understanding.
Consistency matters too. When the documents, the website, the emails, and the processes all align, people feel like they’re in steady hands. It builds trust. Much of my work is about creating that consistency, and it’s shown me how much the “small” parts shape the overall client experience.
What I’ve come to appreciate is that financial services has a strong human element. Even though my role isn’t client‑facing, everything I do connects back to someone trying to make sense of their financial life. Money brings out a mix of emotions – uncertainty, pride, fear, and relief. You see that reflected in how people engage with the process. The operational side might not be the part people think about, but it plays a meaningful role in helping clients feel supported and confident.
A year in, I’ve learned that finance isn’t just about numbers. It’s about communication, clarity, structure, and helping people feel less overwhelmed by something that affects every part of their lives. And in that sense, my career path has perhaps been more connected than I first thought. Shaped by people and a meaningful contribution to my community.
