Many Australians do not consult financial planners because of preconceived misconceptions they hold about advisers.…

Top Advice Earns Place At Nationals
A career in finance is starting to add up for Elliot Watson, who is on the cusp of national recognition of his skills.
The East Maitland man is a national finalist having taken out the 2013 Value of Advice Award for NSW in October and flies to Singapore this week to front the judges again.
“I’ve got a one-in-five chance but it depends on the other candidates and how they have helped people,” he said.
Mr Watson received the award having assisted a Newcastle woman discharged from the NSW Police Force in Sydney with post-traumatic stress syndrome.
If not for Mr Watson she would have been taxed $70,000 on her payout.
Mr Watson will represent Newcastle Financial Planning, where he has worked since 2006.
The judging panel will consider five presentations from the candidates and will select a national winner at the end of the week-long conference in Singapore, which starts Friday.
“It’s a strong indication of the hard work and the quality of the work I do,” Mr Watson said.
“It’s very humbling.”
The winner will be announced at a gala dinner on March 4.
The Value of Advice award is a Charter Financial Planning initiative that draws on a national field of competitors with licensees across Australia.