The financial planning process can be described using the eight steps shown below. Each step is very important as it allows your financial planner to fully understand your situation and your desired outcomes.
To ensure you remain on track to achieving your goals, the regular review of your financial plan is imperative. This is because there are myriad legislative and legal changes which have an impact on your personal circumstances; not to mention the changes that occur organically in your life.
As you can see, the full process is exhaustive and requires careful attention by our experienced and professional team.
Getting to know you
The goal of our first meeting is to gain a better understanding of who you are and what ‘makes you tick’. We will ask you questions and start discussions about your current situation in its entirety. We will also discuss any ideas you might have, and any opportunities that you may like to explore. This may include asking about:
- Your values, aspirations and dreams
- Any challenges or frustrations you are facing
- Your current lifestyle
- Your current attitude towards money and wealth; and
- Your previous experiences with money and investing
We know that these can often be difficult conversations to have, and we hope you won’t think we are being nosey. The more we know about you, the more appropriate our advice will be, so it’s very important that we take the time and ask the tough questions.
Once we have a sound understanding of your situation we can start looking at the options and strategies that are worth exploring further.
Often, given the complexity of your situation, the number of ideas we find, and the particular areas we would like to explore, there is a need for a ‘second date’. This second meeting will give us time to ensure we look at every aspect of your situation and don’t leave any stone unturned.
Putting the pieces together
After we agree on the scope of advice we will start drafting your tailored strategy which involves collaborations from our unique advice board and our technical team. When creating your personal financial plan (officially referred to as Statement of Advice) we will:
- involve you in the process
- explore and discuss options that are aligned with your objectives
- consider all the information you have given us
- use our specialised and technical skills and expertise
- consider a wide range of alternative strategies and products to find the best fit for you
- explain our chosen strategy and why it is the most appropriate for you
- disclose all fees
- explain the steps involved in realise our advice
Putting your plan in action
After we have completed the process of formulating your financial plan, it’s time to meet again. This time, we will explain to you, in a way you’ll understand, the unique plan we have created for you, and how it answers your specific goals, concerns and dreams. If it all makes sense to you, it’s now time to ‘sign on the dotted line’ and put our plan into action. This stage can involve a lot of stressful paperwork and difficult questions. Fortunately, your adviser has a team behind the scenes who take on as much of this process as they can. When implementing your strategies we will:
- ensure all advice is in place as per our agreed strategies
- follow up every piece of advice making sure nothing is left behind
- keep you informed of our progress
See you soon
Now that your strategies have been implemented, the relationship between you and your adviser begins. You now have a team monitoring your strategy, and someone you can call upon who knows your goals and situation thoroughly, and who has the expertise and support to answer any questions, big or small. As you move through various stages in your life, and as circumstances change both for the good and the not so good, we will be there to assist you to minimise the bad and make the most of the good. We will regularly review your strategy to ensure it still matches your needs. But just as importantly, you will be able to come to us when you need to, when circumstances change and when things are on your mind. That is the true value of financial advice.
When maintaining and reviewing your strategies we will:
- allow you to be as active as you want to be in the ongoing running of your plans
- ensure you don’t miss any opportunities that may arise via legislative change or otherwise
- be in a regular contact with you to keep you up to date
- invite you to meet with us as per our agreed review agreement
- adjust your financial plan as your personal situation changes
