Financial decisions can become complicated quickly. Superannuation, investments, retirement income, insurance, Centrelink and aged care can overlap, and a decision in one area may affect another.
For Melbourne locals researching professional financial advice, Freedom Financial Planning is one business to consider as part of that process.
Based in Notting Hill, Freedom Financial Planning has been operating since 2003 and works with individuals and families across Melbourne. Its approach centres on personalised financial advice, clear communication and ongoing planning rather than treating financial decisions as isolated transactions.
The firm provides advice across different stages of life, from people building wealth through to those preparing for retirement or dealing with aged care and Centrelink decisions.
As with any significant financial decision, it is important to investigate the adviser, services, fees and advice arrangements yourself before proceeding.
What does Freedom Financial Planning do?
Freedom Financial Planning provides advice across a broad range of personal financial matters.
Its capabilities include:
- cashflow and budgeting advice
- superannuation strategy
- investment and wealth creation
- retirement planning
- personal risk insurance
- Centrelink guidance
- aged care advice
- strategic tax planning
- estate planning considerations
- business succession planning.
This breadth may be useful for people whose financial questions do not fit neatly into one category.
For example, retirement planning may involve decisions about superannuation, investments, income and Centrelink. Insurance decisions can form part of a wider discussion about protecting a family’s financial position. Aged care decisions may also have implications for finances and estate planning.
Freedom Financial Planning describes its approach as holistic, looking at how different parts of a client’s financial position work together.
Why Freedom Financial Planning may be relevant to Melbourne Guide readers
Melbourne Guide helps readers research local businesses and understand some of the factors worth considering before making an enquiry.
Financial advice is an area where doing that initial research can be particularly important.
Different advisers may offer different services, specialise in different types of clients and use different advice and fee structures. The right fit can also depend heavily on what you actually need help with.
Freedom Financial Planning may be relevant to Melbourne readers looking for advice around areas such as building wealth, preparing for retirement, reviewing superannuation, considering investments or insurance, understanding Centrelink, or planning for aged care.
The firm says its clients include professionals and families, pre-retirees, retirees, business owners, people navigating Centrelink or aged care, and those seeking guidance around superannuation and investment decisions.
Its office is located in Notting Hill in Melbourne.
More than 20 years in financial planning
One factor readers may want to investigate when comparing financial planning businesses is how long a firm has operated and the experience available within its team.
Freedom Financial Planning was established in 2003.
The business says its advisers have supported clients through wealth building, retirement transitions, superannuation decisions, investments, insurance, Centrelink, aged care planning and other financial circumstances.
Its advisory team includes:
- Mark Struik – Director & Financial Adviser
- Richard Unmack – Director & Financial Adviser
- Ryan J Dupuis – Partner & Financial Adviser
- Lee Jackson – Financial Adviser
- Stephanie Mitchell – Partner & Financial Adviser
- Georgia Maher – Provisional Financial Adviser.
The advisers are supported by a client services team.
For prospective clients, the individual adviser who will actually provide advice can be just as important as the firm itself. It is worth asking who you will work with, their qualifications and authorisations, their experience with circumstances similar to yours, and how ongoing communication will work.
How the Freedom Financial Planning advice process works
Freedom Financial Planning describes a structured process that starts with understanding a client’s goals and circumstances before recommendations are made.
Its process includes an introductory meeting, strategy modelling and assessment of available options, preparation of personalised recommendations, presentation of the advice, implementation support and ongoing reviews.
The firm states that tailored Statements of Advice are prepared so clients can understand recommendations, their rationale, risks, costs and proposed next steps.
Its advisers are authorised representatives of Consultum Financial Advisers Pty Ltd.
If you are considering financial advice, you should confirm the current regulatory and authorisation details that apply to the individual adviser you are considering, as well as the services they are authorised to provide.
A focus on ongoing financial planning
Not everyone looking for financial advice wants the same type of relationship.
Some people may have a specific question. Others want an adviser who can revisit their strategy as their career, family, investments, retirement plans or other circumstances change.
Freedom Financial Planning positions its service around longer-term relationships and ongoing reviews.
That may make the business particularly relevant to Melbourne residents looking beyond a single financial transaction and wanting a broader financial strategy that can be reviewed over time.
Before agreeing to ongoing advice, however, make sure you understand exactly what services are included, how often reviews occur, what the arrangement costs and how it can be changed or cancelled.
Who might consider Freedom Financial Planning?
Based on the services provided by the firm, Freedom Financial Planning may be worth researching if you are:
- building wealth and want a more structured financial plan
- reviewing your superannuation strategy
- considering investments
- approaching retirement
- already retired and reviewing income or financial arrangements
- trying to understand Centrelink requirements
- making financial decisions relating to aged care
- reviewing personal risk insurance
- a business owner considering succession planning
- looking for advice that considers several parts of your financial position together.
This does not mean the firm will necessarily be appropriate for every reader. Financial advice is personal, and suitability will depend on your circumstances, goals, required services and the scope and cost of the advice.
What should you check before choosing a financial adviser?
Finding a financial planning business is only the beginning of the research process.
Before engaging an adviser, consider asking about their qualifications, experience, authorisations, areas of advice and how they are paid. You should understand what advice you will receive, what it will cost initially and on an ongoing basis, and whether any limitations apply to the services offered.
It is also sensible to check relevant professional and regulatory information independently rather than relying solely on a business’s website or a third-party guide such as Melbourne Guide.
Most importantly, use your initial conversations with an adviser to determine whether you understand what is being proposed and feel comfortable asking questions.
Financial decisions can have long-term consequences. Taking extra time to compare your options and understand the advice arrangement can be worthwhile.
Is Freedom Financial Planning worth considering?
For Melbourne residents researching financial planning services, Freedom Financial Planning is a name worth knowing.
The firm has operated since 2003, is based in Notting Hill and provides advice across superannuation, investments, retirement, insurance, Centrelink, aged care and other financial planning areas.
Its emphasis on personalised strategies, plain-English explanations and ongoing planning may appeal to people who want advice that considers their broader financial circumstances rather than one issue in isolation.
Melbourne Guide provides this information as a starting point for your research. Financial advice is a significant and highly personal decision, so check Freedom Financial Planning’s current services, adviser details, authorisations, fees and terms directly before deciding whether the business is appropriate for you.
Visit freedomfinancialplanning.com.au to learn more about its current advisers, services and advice process, then compare the business with other options before deciding what is appropriate for your circumstances.
