A certified Financial Planner is considered the standard in excellence for financial planners not only in Australia but around the world. They must meet not only the postgraduate expectations of the Australian industry, but a wide range of additional education, training, and ethical standards in the practice of financial planning.[1]
“Financial planning is about developing strategies to help you manage your financial affairs and meet your life goals – and the first step is to make sure you have access to the right advice. Working with a professional financial planner can give you confidence and peace of mind that your financial future is secure.”[2]
So, why is it so important to have a certified Financial Planner?
You wouldn’t go to an unqualified doctor, as they are charged with your health. A Financial Planner should be no different, as they are charged with taking care of your ‘financial health’. And as we from a very young age understand, your financial capacity dictates what we do, where we live, how we live, where we holiday, when we retire, and so much more.
As such, a Certified Financial Planner is the only professionals that can provide you with personal financial advice, product advice based on your personal situation.
Why am I confused about what is considered financial advice?
The answer to that is relatively simple, despite financial planning is very complicated. That is due to people & organisations trying to sell to you. They sell you bank accounts, credit cards, short term loans, buy-now-pay-later services (Zip Pay & Afterpay) you name it, they sell it.
The people that sell these are not providing financial advice, they are salespeople. They are not (largely) qualified or certified financial planners that are looking to provide services to better your personal financial position. They are trying to hit sales quotas, rank you on internal scorecards.
Financial Planners are experts that can provide you advice on what products suit you from a range of suppliers in relation to investments, insurance, debt reduction and more. They can review investment funds, ETF’s, shares and other financial instruments from a range of suppliers and provide their, impartial advice on which way to go.
Meanwhile, the list provided previously is there to sell you a loan, product, or service for which you “qualify for” rather than something that has been tailored for your personal needs.
Should I get a Certified Financial Planner?
Simple answer, yes. A Certified Financial Planner will work with you and your personal finances now and into the future to provide a more stable, more financially free life for you and your family. They do this through employing debt reduction techniques, savings maximising techniques, introducing you to financial instruments geared to make you money over the short, medium, and long terms based on your risk tolerance, all the while working to a plan that is within your personal means.
Next time when you are dreaming about a boat, a holiday, or a new house, why not sit down with a financial planner and work out how you can have your cake and eat it too.
Speak to the certified financial planning team at Walker Capital and realise your next step to financial freedom.