How to Choose the Right Financial Adviser in Melbourne

A financial adviser can be life-changing. Not only can they simplify complex financial decisions and help you achieve specific lifestyle goals, their expert guidance delivers peace of mind and confidence that you’re on the right path to building wealth.  But what makes a good financial plan, and how do you find the best fit for you? 

How to Find a Financial Advisor in Melbourne

There are plenty of financial advisory firms around Australia, but how do you go about landing the best finance advisor for you? Here’s what you need to keep in mind: 

• Be clear about the financial advice you need 

No two people have the same goals in life and therefore no two financial plans are identical. 

How ActOn Wealth delivers: We offer a full-stack of financial services catering to all and any needs. Whether you come to us as an individual or a couple, we can match the best financial advisor to your needs and goals. 

• Find the right feel for you 

Feelings and finance don’t sound like common bedfellows, right? Well, we think gut instinct has an important role to play in this industry, especially when matching advisors to clients. Your wealth has intrinsic value, so you must be comfortable and confident with the people helping you grow your finances. When it comes to your money, trust is paramount. 

How ActOn Wealth delivers: At ActOn Wealth, we assign two advisors to every client. The first advisor focuses on understanding your needs and crafting a personalised strategy, while the second guides you through the long-term process, adapting the plan as your journey evolves. 

This dual approach ensures that each advisor excels in their area of expertise: the strategist thrives in the early stages, and the relationship builder supports you through the twists and turns. This specialisation also brings out the best in our advisors and ensures you’re working with professionals deeply committed to achieving your goals.

• Ensure the firm’s qualifications and research their background 

When it comes to your hard-earned dollars, due diligence is paramount. Don’t take any advisory service at face value. Ensure you’ve done your homework and you can trust the team you appoint. 

How Acton Wealth delivers: ActOn Wealth Directors have been fully qualified financial planning practitioners for some 15 years. Shannon Cramer and Alex Bernshteyn head up a talented team with specialist qualifications across finance, aged care financial advice, and mortgage broking. We also have our own independent Australian Financial Services License. 

• Prioritise independence 

Many financial firms belong to or are closely aligned with larger institutions. This means the advice they offer might be in their best interest rather than yours. 

How ActOn Wealth delivers: ActOn Wealth has its own Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence. This ensures our advice is 100% independent, impartial, and based on your needs, not on a need to line our pockets with anything extra. 

• Understand fees before you appoint any professionals 

It’s important you understand why and where you spend every dollar. 

How ActOn Wealth delivers: We present clients with a strategy that includes immediate and ongoing fees. These are clearly explained and itemised, and we discuss them in detail to ensure absolute understanding.   

• Look for a long-term commitment, not a quick win 

Be wary of operators who just want to focus on short-term strategies and gains. If you speak to a firm and they only outline immediate goals and costs, either they plan to lure you in and charge you more down the track, or they’re not thinking long-term. 

How ActOn Wealth delivers: As part of your bespoke financial strategy, we outline longer-term client servicing fees right from the outset. We want you to see how we can be of value now and down the track, and we want you going into this partnership with eyes wide open. 

• Are the people who support you supported? 

Financial planners have a huge responsibility to look after your wealth, so how are they looked after? It’s perhaps not something you might think to ask, but it’s actually an incredibly important question. You want someone behind the wheel who is alert, energised and motivated. 

How ActOn Wealth delivers: Our full-time Customer Service Manager takes care of essential admin that might otherwise occupy Senior Financial Planners. We also have a team of paraplanners who support senior staff. This means those in charge can focus 100% on you, not the mandatory checks and balances that might otherwise distract them or take up too much of their time. 

In addition, we run weekly professional development sessions designed to keep our team members constantly stimulated and challenged. We provide additional learning opportunities and embrace flexible work conditions to ensure our team remains positive, valued and motivated to achieve greatness for you. 

Interested in the details? Find out more about ActOn Wealth or read our Mission Statement and Values. 

Types of Personal Financial Advisers

Comprehensive financial planning services 

ActOn Wealth’s team is highly experienced and qualified across the full spectrum of financial planning. From budgeting and cashflow, investment, insurance, retirement and superannuation to property, ethical investing and estate planning. 

Mortgage brokers 

Additionally, all our senior management are fully qualified mortgage brokers. This places us in a fairly unique position to provide holistic lending advice that considers not just the best mortgage deal, but also the best overall financial deal.  

Aged care financial planning 

Several ActOn Wealth team members have speciality training and qualifications in aged care financial planning. This is a growing niche area that requires a specific skillset and awareness, and we’re proud to be pioneers leading the way.

How Finding a Financial Planner Can Be Life-Changing 

• You’ll understand the importance of budgeting 

Budgeting and cashflow management is the bread and butter of wealth creation. You need these solid foundations in place before you can achieve anything. We break this down into an affordable, empowering and even enjoyable process. Get set to become the mastermind of your success. 

• You’ll learn to set goals and achieve greatness 

A goal is typically the least circuitous, most efficient way to achieve something important. Buying property, sending the kids to good schools, saving for that big overseas holiday and even retiring early are not pipeline dreams. With the right team behind you, it’s not a question of if but when. 

• You can manage your debt instead of having your debt manage you 

Few things are as stressful and soul-destroying as debt. However, in some cases, debt can actually be your friend. The right financial advisors teach you to control and use your debt to your advantage, rather than have it rule you. 

• You’ll get life admin under control (at last) 

• “We really need to do something about will planning”. 
• “We’re not giving enough attention to our superannuation and retirement wealth”. 
• “We want to make more ethical investments but we keep getting distracted”. 

Do any of these sound familiar? We’re all guilty of holding off important life admin for a rainy day. Not with the right financial advisors spurring you on and supporting you. Just wait and see what you can achieve… 

• You can protect you and your wealth 

What’s the point of wealth creation if you don’t have adequate safeguards in place? Financial planning without a parachute is reckless. Regardless of where you sit in terms of risk (something we can help you determine), it’s important to look after every hard-earned cent. 

Don’t Get Stung by ‘Free’ Debt Advice 

Plenty of Australians suffer from crippling debt. This can be a very challenging time and it may make you vulnerable to potentially dodgy deals from ‘free’ debt advisors. 

Few things in life are free and we urge you to take great caution. ActOn Wealth’s Melbourne financial advisers are here to get you out of financial hardships and grow your wealth, not see you spiral into further debt or lock you into dodgy deals. Our advice has your best intentions front and centre. 

Whatever you do, don’t worry. We’re here to help and our experts will assist you in finding a way out. You’re not alone in this.  

Your Trusted Financial Advisor Melbourne – Contact Us 

We hope this How to Choose a Financial Advisor guide brings you clarity and confidence to move forward. Building wealth is empowering, exciting and within your reach. Contact our Melbourne team for independent financial advice today. We’re available for a no-cost, no-obligation initial conversation. 

How Do I Find a Financial Advisor Who’s Right For Me? 

See if you can arrange a no-cost, no-obligation call (ActOn Wealth can provide this) and use it as an opportunity to get a feel for whoever might end up working on your account.

Who Are the Best Independent Financial Advisors Near Me? 

ActOn Wealth has flawless reviews from satisfied Melbourne and Australia-wide customers. Find out first hand and arrange a meeting with our team today. 

Why Is It Important to Find an Independent Financial Advisor? 

Independent financial advisors are not aligned with institutions or products. This means they are not motivated to sell you specific solutions that will help line their pockets. 

I’m Not in Melbourne. Can I Still Speak to an ActOn Wealth Personal Financial Advisor? 

Absolutely. Our team works for clients Australia-wide. We provide remote meetings and we’re always available on the phone.