FAQs

What does a Financial Adviser do?

A professional financial adviser can help you to manage your financial affairs more efficiently and help you to reach your financial goals sooner.

Following a comprehensive analysis of your current situation, your financial adviser will prepare a financial plan outlining certain strategies which could be put in place to manage your income, assets and investments more effectively.

In ensuring your financial plan is tailored to suit your needs, your financial adviser takes into account your personal circumstances including your understanding and acceptance of risk, and your desired timeframes for reaching your financial goals. Your adviser also considers important factors such as taxation, superannuation and government legislation and how these may impact your income and investment structure. With a structured financial plan and clear goals in mind, the benefits of sound financial advice can be life changing.

What happens when you see a Financial Adviser?

At Shadforth, we take a highly personalised approach to financial planning.

We take the time to fully understand your current circumstances and your future goals and aspirations. Then in close consultation with you, we develop and implement an appropriate strategy to suit your lifestyle situation and financial goals.

During confidential meetings with your financial adviser, you may find that your adviser will ask a number of personal questions such as your age, income, details of any assets and liabilities you may have. This information is part of the "fact finding" process your adviser undertakes to develop a financial plan which is tailor-made to your exact circumstances. This is to ensure that the plan we put in place really does deliver the results you're hoping to achieve. Naturally this information is regarded in the strictest confidence.

Your financial adviser may also ask questions such as:

• What are your financial goals and aspirations?
• When would you like to retire?
• Whether you have any dependents?
• Whether owning an investment property is important to you?
• Your views on other types of investments?

Rest assured our main aim is to help you achieve your financial goals and experience the lifestyle you currently enjoy now and into the future. At Shadforth Financial Group, you can meet with your financial adviser as often as you like. And we’re always available to discuss any concerns you may have.

Your initial consultation is free of charge and carries no obligation whatsoever. To take control of your financial well-being, simply contact us.

How do you charge for your services?

Shadforth is committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethics and integrity in everything that we do. This includes being completely open and transparent about the way in which we charge for the products and services we provide.
Charges vary according to the nature of the services provided and the pricing structures associated with different product and service offerings.

When you enter into a relationship with Shadforths for financial services, we shall provide you with full details of the associated fees, and details of any payments made to us by Financial Product issuers, in a written document called a “Statement of Advice.”  Your adviser will generally provide you with the Statement of Advice before we proceed to act on your instructions.

What is the Financial Planning Process?

Shadforth Financial Group is a principal member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia. Our approach to securing your financial future is in keeping with the FPA's recognised six-step financial planning process:*

Step 1 - Gathering the Data
Your first meeting is where your financial adviser gains an understanding of your present financial position, your objectives and needs, and the types of investments required to meet your needs.

Step 2 - Identifying your goals
An important part of the financial planning process is to clearly identify your financial goals and objectives. Considerations may include:

• The income and asset levels you are aiming to achieve
• Future education expenses
• Upgrading the family home
• Protecting your income through appropriate income protection, and death and disability cover
• Accumulating assets to a defined level by a certain date
• Maintaining an agreed level of investment accessibility and flexibility
• Estate planning

Step 3 - Identifying your Financial Issues
Your financial adviser compares your financial situation with your goals to determine the appropriate strategies necessary to achieve them. This will form the foundations of your financial plan.

Step 4 - Preparing your Financial Plan
Having identified your goals and objectives and assessed your overall financial situation, your financial adviser will formulate an overall strategy. Taking into account your attitude towards risk, your adviser develops recommendations designed to achieve your desired goals.

Step 5 - Implementing Your Financial Plan
Once the plan is agreed, your financial adviser can implement it on your behalf, or assist you with the process.

Step 6 - Reviewing Your Plan
An important part of the process is to regularly review the performance of your financial plan with your adviser to ensure it is living up to your expectations. Your ongoing relationship with your financial adviser may involve:

• Tracking your investments
• Reviewing your progress in achieving your financial goals, and revising strategies if required
• Valuing and reviewing your investment portfolios
• Informing you of new opportunities as they emerge
• Ongoing communications
• Ongoing consultations as required

* "Advice worth taking" booklet - produced by the Financial Planning Association of Australia Limited.