Why You Need Both an Online Business Manager and a Financial Operations Manager to Scale Your Business
- Melinda Kasper
- Sep 3
- 3 min read
Scaling a business takes more than just hard work — it requires the right people in the right roles. Recently, I sat down with Sammy Bohannon, owner of Bohannon Virtual Solutions, to talk about how our companies collaborate to help business owners grow without burning out.
Sammy is an Online Business Manager (OBM) who leads a team of Virtual Assistants (VAs).
I run Wolverine Precision Financial Operations Group, where we specialize in financial operations and accounting oversight.
Our conversation highlighted an important truth: if you want to scale sustainably, you need both an Online Business Manager and a Financial Operations Manager. Here’s why.
Understanding the Roles: VAs, EAs, and OBMs
Sammy broke down the support landscape clearly:
Virtual Assistants (VAs): The doers. They execute specific tasks such as social media management, spreadsheets, design, websites, or calendar updates.
Executive Assistants (EAs): The advanced doers. They handle more complex tasks but are not usually responsible for managing teams or creating systems.
Online Business Managers (OBMs): The orchestrators. They oversee operations, project management, systems, and cross-functional coordination. OBMs often lead the VA/EA team to ensure business operations run smoothly day-to-day.
When to Hire an Online Business Manager
Bringing on an OBM is a strategic step. You’re ready when:
You want to delegate day-to-day management and operational decisions.
You can invest in fractional operational leadership (most OBMs are contractors).
You need someone to design systems, manage projects, and align your team.
An OBM can make a big impact before you’re ready for a full-time COO — helping you scale with less stress.
Where Financial Operations Management Fits In
While an OBM handles operations, a Financial Operations Manager focuses exclusively on the money side of your business.
At Wolverine Precision, that means:
Designing financial workflows
Overseeing accounting and bookkeeping integrity
Managing cash, payables, and receivables
Payroll approval and oversight
Financial reports and KPIs
Forecasting and planning
Here’s the difference: a VA with spreadsheet skills is not the same as a trained bookkeeper who understands compliance, reconciliations, and GAAP. Financial operations require specialized expertise to ensure your data is accurate and decision-ready.
The Common Pitfall: Can One Person Do Both Roles?
Short answer: not well, not for long.
Both Sammy and I have seen this mistake firsthand:
Because I manage financial projects, clients sometimes assume I’ll manage overall operations.
Sammy’s team has been asked to “just handle the books” because they’re great with spreadsheets.
But these are two distinct disciplines:
Operations management = systems, people, execution.
Financial operations management = accuracy, oversight, and informed decision-making.
Trying to combine both into one role usually creates bottlenecks, blind spots, or costly errors.
How Online Business Managers and Financial Operations Managers Partner
When both roles are in place, they complement each other beautifully:
OBM: Designs and runs the operational engine (projects, workflows, coordination).
Financial Ops Manager: Designs and safeguards the financial engine (cash flow, reporting, KPIs).
Together, we keep operations aligned with budgets, track progress through data, and make sure resources are being used wisely.
A Simple Rule of Thumb
If it’s about operations and execution, it’s your OBM.
If it’s about cash, financial records, or data-driven decisions, it’s your Financial Operations Manager.
The Bottom Line
Growing companies need both operational excellence and financial integrity.
An Online Business Manager ensures your operations run smoothly.
A Financial Operations Manager ensures your numbers tell the truth.
When these roles work together, you build a scalable business that’s both efficient and financially sound.
If you’re wondering whether your current gaps are operational, financial, or both — let’s talk. I’ll happily collaborate with your OBM (or introduce you to one like Sammy) to build a plan that supports your next stage of growth.
How to Contact
Wolverine Precision Financial Operations Group
Bohannon Virtual Solutions
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