You work hard and want to secure your financial future. Depending on your stage of life, this could be any goal from paying off your mortgage, setting up an educational fund for your children, saving for a car, investing in property or planning for retirement.
Good financial advice from a professional will help you detail your goals, provide a roadmap on getting there and can be anything from creating a budget, creating an investment plan or choosing the right mortgage to suit your pocket. Everyone will be different and there isn’t really a one size fits all answer for financial advice.
Key Takeaways:
- Financial advisers help you manage investments, superannuation, retirement planning, and taxes.
- In Australia, they must hold RG146 qualifications and be licensed by ASIC.
- Types include CPA, PFS, RIA, CFP, and CFA, each with unique expertise.
- Advisers create a Statement of Advice (SOA) outlining goals, risk, and strategies.
- Regular reviews adjust plans based on changes in finances or objectives.
- Provide accurate info on income, assets, debts, insurance, and estate plans.
What Is a Financial Advisor?
Financial Advisors are professionals who provide financial services to clients and businesses based on their financial situation. These professionals need to complete specialist training and be registered with a regulatory government third party in order to provide financial advice.
Financial advisers are professionals who provide financial services to clients and businesses based on their financial situation. These professionals need to complete specialist training and be registered with a regulatory government third party to provide financial advice.
A financial adviser may charge an hourly rate, a flat fee for service, a commission, a mark-up or mark-down, and a percentage fee for management.
Financial Adviser Qualifications in Australia
In Australia, financial advisers must complete an RG146 qualification and hold a licence regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). They must also follow fiduciary obligations, meaning they are required to act in their clients’ best interests when providing financial advice.
Types of Financial Advisers (CPA, PFS, RIA, CFP, CFA)
Financial advisers offer a wide range of services depending on their qualifications and areas of expertise. Some focus on investment management, while others specialise in taxes, retirement strategies, or broader financial planning. Many people choose to work with a tax and financial adviser who can help manage both their tax obligations and long-term financial goals.
Certified Public Accountant: A CPA focuses heavily on accounting and tax-related services. They help with tax preparation, business accounting, consulting, and financial reporting.
Personal Finance Specialist (PFS): A PFS is typically a CPA who has completed additional education and training in financial planning. They provide more advanced planning services beyond basic accounting.
Registered Investment Adviser (RIA): An RIA specialises in managing investments and assets, typically working with high-net-worth clients and institutions such as mutual funds, banks, hedge funds, and insurance companies. Their role typically focuses on portfolio management and long-term investment strategies.
Certified Financial Planner (CFP): A CFP is trained to provide comprehensive financial planning. After passing a certification exam, they assist clients with retirement planning, insurance strategies, estate planning, and financial adviser tax planning to support long-term financial stability.
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA): CFAs are highly trained investment specialists. They analyse financial markets, evaluate investments, and often work for large institutions such as banks, asset management firms, and mutual funds. While their work focuses more on institutional investment management, their expertise supports many services provided by experienced financial advisers.

What Will a Financial Adviser Do for You?
Experienced financial advisers work with you to understand your priorities and develop strategies suited to your financial situation. If your circumstances change or you fall off track, they can help you adjust your plan and reset your goals.
Most financial advisers communicate regularly with their clients, typically meeting at least once a year to review results, discuss future plans, and make adjustments where needed.
Investment and Portfolio Management
One of the main services provided by financial advisers is helping clients manage investments and build portfolios. A tax and financial adviser can recommend suitable investment options based on your risk tolerance, financial position, and long-term plans.
Some advisers recommend investments for you to manage yourself, while others manage their clients’ investments directly for a percentage-based fee.
Tax-Effective Strategies and Superannuation
Many people work with a tax and financial adviser to improve tax efficiency while managing their finances. Through financial adviser tax planning, they help structure investments and income to reduce unnecessary tax while remaining compliant with Australian guidelines.
Depending on your circumstances, this may include guidance on superannuation contributions, salary sacrificing strategies, and managing investment income more effectively.
Retirement Planning and Asset Protection
Financial advisers also help clients prepare for retirement and protect their financial future with long-term financial adviser tax planning. Essentially, they can help you make the most of your superannuation, rebalance investments when needed, and develop strategies to support your financial security.
Pro Financial Advice Tip: Make sure you know how your financial adviser wants to be paid and how often you’d like to communicate with them.
What Your Financial Adviser Needs to Know About You
Your financial advisor will need accurate information in order to come up with a workable plan. Their plan will only be as good as the information they receive so you’ll need to be prepared to open up your books.
An advisor will want to know:
- Personal details – age, where you work, relationship status
- Assets – debts such as mortgage, other loans and credit card debt
- Income – from all sources. This includes your wage or salary, investments and government benefits
- Insurance policies – in particular how much your assets are insured for
- Estate plans – will, power of attorney
- Your lawyer and accountant
- If you are willing for the financial advisor to access your cash management bank accounts and view transactions
Download this article: Why You Should Hire A Financial Advisor
What Should You Ask Your Financial Adviser?
There are certain key questions that should top your list when choosing the financial advisor to determine a professional that will suit your needs.
It’s important to understand what your financial plan will or will not include, the cost and your options for paying, what information you’ll receive and how often, when you’ll be consulted, permission to adjust or change an item in your plan and how often your financial advisor will review your progress.
Your financial advisor will also enquire about the risk you’re willing to take as well as how they will protect your assets should something happen.
Statement of Advice (SOA) Explained
Once the finer details are agreed to, your financial advisor will prepare a financial plan for you, which is known as a Statement of Advice (SOA). This statement is the means by which your advisor will identify your needs, financial situation, objectives and will devise a strategy. It is based on accurate and material information, which is why it is important to be as transparent as possible with your financial information.
A Statement of Advice should include:
- Your financial goals and current financial situation
- Accurate financial details that include your assets, debts, expenses and income
- Level of risk you’re willing to take
- Explanation of what your cover will include or not include
- Explanation of how the strategy fits with your goals, timeline, risk profile and situation
- Explanation of how your investments will be managed and how the financial products chosen will fit into your plan
- Information about how your superannuation fits into your investment portfolio if switched to another supplier
- Your fee structure, how and who they will be paid to
Pro Financial Advice Tip: Make sure to ask for your financial advisors credentials to make sure they are up to date with their licenses. Don’t sign any contacts until you are one hundred percent happy with the plan.
How to Review Your Financial Plan
In your review with your financial advisor is either once or twice a year, key points should be discussed. This should include any changes to your goals, situation and income, if you want to change the level of risk, your level of insurance – house, car, income protection – how changes to financial laws could affect you and if you want to make any adjustments to your plan.
It is important to protect your money. Unless key actions in the Statement of Advice are written and understood, never sign. Adding in a time limit to buy and sell investments on your behalf and keep track of all records will help protect you and keep control of your finances.
Pro Financial Advice Tip: It’s a good idea to regularly double check transactions if you have an investment account or use an investment platform to see how your money is being handled.
Many people are uncomfortable with talking about their finances, but developing a professional relationship with a financial advisor can help you better understand your financial goals as well as help you reach them. Along with the advice, you’ll gain peace of mind that your finances – and future – and being reached.
ITP The Income Tax Professionals are not only tax accountants. ITP Financial Advisors help individual Australian and Businesses reach their financial potential. Our friendly advisors can be phoned on 1300 136 729 to discuss your needs and to answer any questions you may have. Phone an ITP Financial Advisor today.
FAQs
How do I choose the right financial adviser in Australia?
Choose a financial adviser who holds the required qualifications, is licensed by ASIC, and has experience in the areas you need help with. Review their credentials, ask about their services and fees, and choose someone who communicates clearly and understands your goals.
How much does a financial adviser charge?
Financial advisers may charge in several ways, including fixed fees, hourly rates, ongoing service fees, or a percentage of assets managed. Costs vary depending on the complexity of your financial situation and the level of advice or portfolio management provided.
What information will my financial adviser need from me?
Your adviser will usually need details about your income, expenses, debts, assets, investments, superannuation, insurance, and financial goals. Providing accurate information helps them create a strategy that reflects your financial situation and long-term objectives.
How often should I review my financial plan with my adviser?
Many people review their financial plan with their adviser at least once a year. Regular reviews allow you to assess investment performance, update financial goals, and adjust your strategy if your income, lifestyle, or financial priorities change.
What should I ask a financial adviser before hiring them?
Ask about their qualifications, licensing, areas of expertise, and fee structure. You should also inquire about how they provide advice, how frequently they communicate with clients, and whether their recommendations are independent or linked to specific financial products.
How do I verify the credentials of a financial adviser in Australia?
You can verify a financial adviser’s credentials by checking the ASIC Financial Advisers Register. This register shows their licence details, qualifications, professional history, and whether they are authorised to provide financial advice in Australia.