How to Choose a Certified Financial Planner in Sydney

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Certified Financial Planner in Sydney

Certified Financial Planner in Sydney

In an ever increasingly complex world – especially financially – you cannot know it all yourself, and it is essential that you get the right expert help, and in finance this is a certified financial planner in Sydney.

Building a trusting relationship with your certified financial planner is absolutely critical.

Your family deserves a qualified, responsible, and reputable financial advisor who will be managing your money based on your specific needs.

You’ll want to consider these tips when selecting a certified financial planner that will do his or her best to meet and exceed your individual needs. Your finances, as well as your personal security and peace of mind, depend on it!

Know What You’re Looking For From Your Certified Financial Planner in Sydney

Most certified financial planners in Sydney have a basic range of services they offer to clients, but some specialize or excel in certain areas. If these areas match the type of investments you’re interested in making, you’ll have a better match than other planners with less experience in those areas.

This is why it helps to know not only what financial planners do, but how they structure services accordingly to meet your needs, your budget and your expectations.

These are some of the major areas of personal finance that a certified financial planner in Sydney may manage for clients:

  • Retirement Planning – available super funds, self managed super funds (SMSFs), allocated pensions
  • Debt Management – budgeting, saving money, emergency funding, early payoffs
  • Insurance – life, health, home, disability
  • Tax Planning personal, structures (trusts, companies, etc)
  • Investment Planning – shares, bonds, funds management, asset allocation
  • Business Planning
  • Estate Planning

Create a List of Questions

It’s wise to have a list of questions prepared in advance of your initial interview with your certified financial planner in Sydney to ensure the person will manage your finances with a level of competence and a rate of return that you’ll be comfortable with months and years later.

Though you will certainly have your own questions in mind, these suggested questions may be ones you’d like to include in your first consultation:

  1. What are your credentials?
  2. Are you a member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA)? Have you successfully completed the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Certification Program?
  3. How long have you been practicing as a financial advisor, and in what areas are you licensed to do so?
  4. Who is your ideal client and what are your strengths as a service provider?
  5. How are you compensated, and what is your standard fee schedule?
  6. Will I be able to review all transactions made, and how will our business relationship be structured?
  7. Do you have a list of references or performance indicators from successful relationships with other clients?
  8. Is there a record of any disciplinary or unethical practices in your history as a professional?

Gauge Their Business Personality

A final piece of the puzzle in finding a helpful financial advisor for your needs is to gauge the planner’s operating style and philosophy as a business associate.

During your conversation, you will likely be able to gather an initial impression of a particular planner’s approach and personality to his or her business and the style they prefer in making decisions for clients.

If at any time you feel uncomfortable or pressured into making a decision, feel free to end the conversation or leave the interview. The attitude a potential advisor shows during this all-important meeting can be enough to help you decide whether they are a good fit for helping reach your financial goals.

Finally, follow up their claims and expectations with some research of your own. A quick web search can sometimes provide details or testimonials on individuals that provide additional insight into their performance and reputation.

At the end of the day, it is your money and your choice – you need to partner with a certified financial planner in Sydney who you are comfortable with and confident in.

 

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