Services

We’re privately owned and we reject commissions from financial institutions. That means we don’t have to jump to talking about “products”. We can invest the time to listen, to understand you and to crystallise your goals. (You don’t have to know your goals already; discovery is all part of the conversation.)

Financial advice, not products

We all have our own relationship with money. Whether we grew up with or without it. How our parents reacted to money. Have we found it hard to come by but easy to spend? Or is it the other way around?

Understanding your relationship with money is fundamental to how we will tailor a financial plan that fits you.

You might work in a similar job, be the same age and have the same number of children as someone else, but you’re an individual, not a category. There’s no such thing as a pre-packaged plan that’s just right for you. You aren’t a “Portfolio Maximiser” or an “Investment Property Magnate”.

A template is only a path to someone else’s ideal future.

You need to take charge of your own plan to get to your own future. When you’re striding along on your own path, you don’t have to worry about what everyone else is doing.

In short, don’t be surprised when you meet us that it takes a while before we’re talking about money. We want to know about your history, your family, your lifestyle, your career and your lifestyle aspirations.

Then we can start planning for your very best future. That will include working through models based on your current situation and what you’ve told us about your hopes for the years ahead. We’ll consider every eventuality by talking about a range of outcomes based on different inputs and scenarios.

How we work with you

Introduction

Most of the relationships with our clients start with a chat over the phone. We’ll give you an overview of our approach and arrange a time for an initial meeting. Your first meeting is complimentary and obligation-free, and generally takes one hour. We usually meet our clients face-to-face in our Sydney CBD office, but we can also meet in our Balmain office, Bondi office or via video conference if that’s more convenient for you.

Getting to know you

Prior to your first meeting, we’ll send you a questionnaire to help us get to know you, your circumstances and your aspirations. It will help us to know which areas to explore further in the face-to-face meeting so that we can build a thorough understanding of your situation.

Initial meeting

At the first meeting we’ll discuss your current financial situation, any particular challenges you’re facing and begin build a picture of both your financial and life goals. This information will be used in a comprehensive scenario modelling process so that we can build a plan tailored to your needs.

Second Meeting

Based on the information you’ve provided us, we’ll share our ideas and visions for your future. If you’re comfortable that we’re heading in the right direction, we’ll present you with our fee agreement. We’ll then go away and map out several strategies using our proprietary research and modelling tools.

Strategy Meeting

We’ll present the strategies we’ve prepared for you and talk you through how they’ll drive you towards your future financial and lifestyle goals. You’ll start to see how different decisions can impact your future. Our priority is ensuring that you understand the concepts we are discussing and feel comfortable that they’re right for you.

Strategy refinement Meeting

Refining your strategy can take one or multiple meetings, depending on the complexity of your situation and your ability to make decisions. We commit to all our clients that they will get the plan that they want and don’t place a limit the number of refinements that it takes to get it just right. As we go through the strategy refinement process, you’ll develop an intimate understanding of your options and their long-term effects and eventually decide on the scenario that’s best for you.

Presenting your financial plan

Once you’re comfortable with your financial strategy, we will prepare a more comprehensive version of your plan, called a Statement of Advice. It will contain detailed recommendations, including a step-by-step explanation of how you can improve your financial situation. We’ll present this to you face-to-face so you have the opportunity to clarify anything you’re unsure about and feel confident moving forward.

Delivering your financial plan

The implementation of each plan is unique. Your plan may involve budgeting and debt reduction, sourcing insurances, implementing estate planning, investing in managed funds, exploring options in property and a range of other tactics suited to your specific goals. Regardless of what’s required, we’ll partner with you to help you implement your plan and answer any questions you have throughout the process.

Ongoing Support

Once your plan is in place, we are committed to providing continued expert advice and support. Changes in your personal situation, financial markets and legislation occur all the time. It’s therefore important that we review your portfolio and personal circumstances regularly so that you can stay on track to achieving your goals.

Financial
maintenance
package

Trump; China; Brexit — the world changes. Promotion; new home; new school for the kids — our life changes. Sometimes it goes to plan; sometimes it takes unexpected turns. We’re there for you to make sure your financial plan and your portfolio are always in sync with the economy and your personal circumstances.

Our ongoing maintenance package gives you the peace of mind to know that you’re on course. Every year, we’ll review, report and discuss your plan. Then we’ll take your decisions and implement any changes for you. And right through the year we’re only ever a phone call or email away, whatever you need to discuss. Our time is your time.

Talk to an expert

Financial planning fees and payment

Everything is in the open with Financial Spectrum. We are privately owned financial planners with no links whatsoever to banks or financial institutions. We charge a simple fee for our time and advice, and we reject all commissions. That way our advice is always uncompromised.

Our fee is based on service, not on whether we’re advising you about growing $50,000 or $5,000,000. Each and every client’s financial future is equally important. We’re certain we can deliver immediate, measurable savings to you well over and above what you invest in our advice. We’re so certain that we back that claim with a complete money-back guarantee. If our statement of advice doesn’t show clearly how we’ll save you more than you’ve invested in our advice, we’ll refund 100% of our fees immediately and without question

Financial Planning Services

What’s your
financial
spectrum?

Our insights have been reported in:

A negatively geared seafront unit in Newcastle might be perfect for your neighbour and exactly the wrong tactic for you. And it’s you that we’re planning for, not your neighbour, your colleague or your brother-in-law. Where do you want to go and how are you going to get there?

Financial advice, not products