Find a Financial Advisor in Western Australia

A financial advisor refers to a qualified professional who helps others manage their money. An advisor may specialise in a particular field such as investments, pensions, insurance or savings.

Their main responsibility is to understand your financial situation and to develop a plan based on your needs. They will begin by ascertaining your financial goals. For example, buying a house or retiring early. Your advisor will then want to determine your current position in relation to those goals. Once they have all the information, they will then use their experience to be able to determine the right path for you.

Often, people have an ongoing relationship with a financial advisor, who will navigate them at every stage to ensure they are working in their client’s best interests.

You must choose a financial advisor who is fully qualified to be able to help you manage your assets. They should have a good reputation and be someone who listens to your situation. Ideally, they should specialise in the area you need help in such as pensions or investments.

Always be wary of financial advisors who try and sell you investments without prior knowledge of your financial background. Instead, find an advisor who will customise their advice based on your current position and your specific goals.

Your financial advisor also needs to be someone you can build a good working relationship with. Meeting them in person and discussing your needs will help ensure you are both on the same page.

Money is a broad topic and as such, it pays to find an advisor who understands your specific area of concern. Here are some of the most popular areas a financial advisor can help you with.

• Investments - The right investments can make your money work harder for you, versus if it was just sitting in a bank account. The key is to choose the right portfolio that offers plenty of diversification. A financial advisor will be best placed to help you nurture your investments, and will ensure you don’t exceed your limitations.

• Mortgages - Buying a home is for most people the biggest purchase they will ever make. Getting a great deal on your mortgage is tough, as is deciding what you can afford in the first place. Financial advisors who specialise in mortgages may be able to broker a better deal especially compared to what you will find on the high street. In the long run, this could save you a lot of money compared with not doing your research.

• Pensions - How much money we will have to live on when we retire is a concern most of us face. There are various options for pensions these days, including an individual pension. A financial advisor will find the best pension deals based on your requirements. For example, how much you can afford to put in your pension pot and what your overall goal is.

• Savings - Saving is one of the best ways to achieve your financial goals. A large savings pot can also come in handy should an unexpected event occur that would otherwise threaten your financial health. Saving takes discipline, and the various saving methods that are out there could help or hinder how fast you reach your target. That’s where a financial advisor will be able to find you the best deal and help you carve out a path so that you stay on track.

The topic of money is a complex one, and while you may be good at managing your money in general, there are various situations where a financial advisor can prove very useful. For example, if you are looking to invest. That’s because the stock market can be a volatile place, especially for those who are unfamiliar with how it works. A financial advisor will be able to invest on your behalf and also ensure you do not lose more money than you can afford to.

Another common matter is mortgages, particularly as a financial advisor may be able to get you a better deal than what a high street provider can offer. A financial advisor can also offer the same services for insurance and personal pensions too.

In all, there are many different fiscal services that a financial advisor can provide. If you want to ensure a healthy financial outlook, then seeking qualified advice is one of the best ways to make sure you are on track with your goals.

There are two main types of financial advisors called independent and restricted advisors. A financial advisor must clearly state which type they are so that you can make an informed choice.

An independent financial advisor (IFA) will give you unbiased advice about a wide range of services. They may specialise in a particular area of finance or work broadly across the whole market.

A restricted financial advisor only works with a specific provider or area of expertise. There are various restrictions they may have to adhere to. For example, they may not be able to advise on the existing products that you already have in place.

There are many questions you will want to ask your financial advisor - the basics including how they are paid and if they receive a commission on certain products. You’ll also need to know how the relationship will work and what their typical clients are so that you can be sure your interests are aligned.

Aside from the basics, you should ask your financial advisor how they plan on managing your money. This will usually be determined after they have identified your current financial position. While they are there to advise you, it’s still your money. So, it’s important you fully understand what they will be doing with it. Your adviser should be able to clearly state what products they think are best based on your individual circumstances.

You should also ask your financial advisor where your money will be held. Some financial advisors will hold onto your money for you, whereas others manage your investments on your behalf after you have made them. Many people opt for the latter due to it being more secure, as your advisor cannot take money out of your account.

If you have any other concerns or queries, then it’s a good idea to write these down before your appointment. The research you undertake before hiring a financial advisor should also give you some indication about how they work too.

Financial advisors will either charge by the hour or have a flat fee. The amount you can expect to pay will vary depending on their level of qualification or expertise. Most financial advisors will give you an initial meeting for free. While this won’t cover any specific advice, it does give you a chance to see how they work and if you would be a great fit moving forward.

Yes! Bark makes it simple to find and hire a Financial Advisor from the comfort of your home. Just tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll connect you with the best Financial Advisors for the job. Most Financial Advisors will be able to offer their services online or remotely, all you’ll need is a phone or a strong internet connection.