FAQs
When considering using the services of a financial planner, you want to know that your adviser has the necessary qualifications and experience to help you achieve your goals.
Our advisers have extensive industry experience and have answered FAQs from client feedback and their own experiences. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
1. How much contact do you have with your clients?
The advisers at Elliot Watson Financial Planning (EWFP) have regular contact with their clients to ensure they are progressing well with their financial plan and to ensure any changes to their circumstances, government policy, international markets, or improvements in technology are considered and factored into your plan if appropriate.
The frequency of contact you may have with your advisers will depend on the service level you select. The options include comprehensive, standard, and passive. The adviser will explain the differences in the service levels to you during your initial consultation.
2. How do you charge for your financial advice?
At EWFP we will charge a fee for service. This fee will be disclosed to you at the earliest opportunity and no work will commence until we have your agreement to do so. In some cases, you can have the fee debited from your superannuation account.
3. How do you choose what to recommend to clients?
Your advisers will only know which products and services to recommend to you once they have had a chance to sit down with you and explore your current financial position and identify your goals. Everyone has a unique situation so what might be appropriate for one person may not be appropriate for another. Your adviser will make recommendations based on your circumstances and what suits your needs.
4. Are your advisers members of any industry or professional bodies?
Yes. Elliot Watson is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) and a member of the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA). José Hernandez is also a member of the FAAA.
FAAA membership is dependent upon the adviser adhering to a code of ethics and professional conduct. The standards imposed by the FAAA are considered world-class and hold financial planners to a higher standard than the requirements set out in the financial planning regulations.
Gary Watson (Solicitor) is a member of the Law Society of NSW and a member of the Hunter Valley Charter of The Law Society of NSW. Our senior mortgage broker, Nestor Ramirez has a master’s in financial planning and is a JP. Read more about our Team.
5. Can you provide a second opinion?
Yes. You may have seen another financial planner and want a second opinion to ensure you are comfortable with the advice. The advisers at Elliot Watson Financial Planning can provide you with a second opinion to help you with your financial decision-making. It is important that the relationship you have with your financial adviser is built on trust.
6. Do you have any conflicts of interest?
No, under current legislation our advisers have a fiduciary duty to always place their client’s interests ahead of their own. Elliot Watson Financial Planning’s high ethical standards also prevent advisers from providing advice where there is a conflict of interest.
7. Where do you have your meetings?
Ideally, it is always best to have meetings in an office environment as it removes the potential for distractions, but we can also accommodate online meetings where required. We have offices in The Junction, Maitland, and Singleton.
8. How long does an initial consultation go for and what does it cost?
The goal is to determine if we want to work together. Financial planning is a two-way street, so it is vital for both parties to establish trust and open and honest communication.
An initial consultation will go for approximately 60-90 minutes. However, if we decide to proceed the meeting may go longer as we collect the data outlined on our Things to Bring page. The cost of the initial consultation is $495 (incl. GST).
9. What services does EWFP provide?
Elliot Watson Financial Planning specialises in the following:
- Superannuation
- Personal Insurance
- Wealth Creation
- Wealth Management
- Investment Planning
- Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSF)
- Budgeting and Cash Flow Management
- Debt Management
- Estate Planning
- Property Strategy
- Aged Care
10. Can you help me with my mortgage?
Yes! Our advisers are also authorised mortgage brokers, but this should be a separate meeting from the initial consultation.
11. Can you help me with my tax return?
No, you must be a registered tax agent to give tax advice. Elliot Watson Financial Planning has a strong relationship with an experienced accounting firm and can refer you to them for support.
Get in touch
If you have more questions, please feel free to get in touch with us today.