FAQs

Our financial planners can help you with many things, such as:

• Retirement planning
• Direct Shares – buying and selling
• Superannuation
• Estate planning
• Insurance – life, trauma, income protection and disability cover
• Investing
• Wealth accumulation
• Debt management
• Social Security

The Financial Planning Association of Australia recommends that you ask these questions:

Could I have a copy of your Financial Services Guide (FSG)?

All financial planners must have an FSG. It is a simple document that gives you details on a planner. You should check whether the planner holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) or is an authorised representative of an AFSL holder. If they don’t meet this criteria, then look for another planner who does.

What is your approach to financial planning?

Ask the planner about the types of clients and financial situations they typically work with. This will help you establish whether the planner specialises in areas that relate to your situation.

How much do you typically charge?

The planner should be able to give you an estimate of possible costs. This could include the cost of the planner’s services (their time and expertise) and the percentage they would receive as commission on products you may purchase.

What do I need to know about risk?

Any investment involves ‘risk’, that is, the chance that you will not achieve your financial goals. Generally, the higher the expected return, the higher the risk.

Can I have a written statement of advice (SoA)?

Your planner should provide you with a written financial plan or ‘statement of advice’ (SoA) whenever giving personal financial advice. This written plan should set out the basis for the advice and the reasons for the particular recommendations.

Will my financial plan change as my circumstances and needs change?

Your goals will change over time, and so your financial plan should be reviewed and changed too.

Other things to consider:

• Ask friends and family for a recommendation to a financial planner.
• Do some research to work out what you might need help with. For example, review your personal finances, and familarise yourself with common investment terms.
• Ask the planner for an initial meeting to see if they are the right ‘fit’ with you.

This information has been prepared with the assistance of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA).

• Your first appointment with a planner is without cost or obligation
• We explain how much your advice will cost in our first meeting with you
• We won’t charge you any fees until your financial plan is finalised and you have provided your explicit agreement to action that plan