Your first meeting

At your first meeting with a Commonwealth Financial Planner, we’ll spend a lot of time getting to know you – what you value in life, what you’re planning in the short term and what you want to achieve in the long term – to ensure that we develop a financial strategy that is truly tailored for you. The focus is on defining your dreams and goals first, and then looking at your finances second.  

What to bring

We will also need to understand your current financial situation, your immediate needs and obligations, what kind of investment experience you have, and how comfortable you are with risk.

For this reason, it’s a good idea to bring along as much information about your financial situation as possible. This might include:

• Your most recent super fund(s) statement
• Up-to-date statements for all of your bank accounts
• Information about any debt you have (e.g. mortgage, personal loans and car loans)
• Details of your existing investments and the balance of those investments
• Details of any direct shares you hold
• Your current insurance policies, with details of premiums and cover provided

With this, we’ll provide an overview of how you can achieve your goals, outline the possible components of a financial plan and discuss the costs associated with going forward and working together. 

Remember that the cost of your first meeting is covered by us, and there’s no obligation to continue working with us if you don’t want to.

What to ask

It’s also a good idea to prepare some questions in advance of your meeting so that you can find out more about us and how we work. Some examples of questions you might want to ask include:

• How long have you been giving financial advice?
• What are your qualifications?
• How do you keep up to date with what’s happening in the industry and financial markets?
• Are there any financial products you don’t advise on?
• How much will this advice cost?

Next steps

If you decide to go ahead, we will use the information gathered in our discussion to develop a detailed financial plan, or Statement of Advice, for you. This will outline your financial goals and our recommended investment strategy, or roadmap, for reaching them. Your tailored financial plan will explain the fees or commissions that will be payable if you proceed with implementing the proposed investment strategy.

We’ll always offer you straightforward financial advice but it’s important to ask questions and make sure you fully understand everything contained in your financial plan before you proceed. If you’re uncomfortable with any aspect of our recommendations, we will work with you to revise or adjust your financial plan accordingly.

When you’re ready to put your plan into action, we’ll guide you through the process of implementing it. You’ll receive annual statements so you’ll always know how your plan is tracking and of course you can come and see us at any time for a financial check-up.  Knowing your finances are in good shape means you’ll have more time to focus on what’s important to you.

If you think financial planning is right for you, you can get started immediately by using our online booking form to organise an initial, no-obligation consultation with a Commonwealth Financial Planner and start planning for a better life today. Or simply drop into one of our branches today to make an appointment.

• Important information
  The information contained on this web page is of a factual nature only and is not intended to constitute financial product advice. It has been prepared by Commonwealth Financial Planning Limited without considering your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider its appropriateness in light of your circumstances and consider seeking professional advice relevant to your individual needs before making a decision based on this information. Commonwealth Financial Planners are Representatives or Authorised Representatives of Commonwealth Financial Planning Limited ABN 65 003 900 169, AFSL 231139, a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124.