Finding the right professional for an important financial decision can involve plenty of research. Melbourne has no shortage of advisers and financial planning businesses, but their services, approach and areas of experience can vary considerably.
For Melbourne locals researching their options, Freedom Financial Planning is one business worth knowing about.
Based in Notting Hill, Freedom Financial Planning has been providing financial advice since 2003. The firm works with individuals and families across different stages of life, from people building wealth and reviewing their superannuation through to pre-retirees, retirees and families dealing with Centrelink or aged care decisions.
Rather than treating this page as a reason to choose one provider over another, use it as a practical introduction to Freedom Financial Planning and a starting point for your own research.
What does Freedom Financial Planning do?
Freedom Financial Planning provides personalised financial advice across a broad range of financial planning needs.
Its stated 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 range may be relevant to people whose financial decisions overlap across several areas.
For example, decisions about superannuation can affect retirement planning, while investment choices can have tax implications. Insurance can form part of protecting a family’s financial position, and aged care decisions may need to be considered alongside broader estate planning matters.
Freedom Financial Planning describes its approach as holistic, looking at a client’s wider financial position rather than treating each decision in isolation.
Why Freedom Financial Planning may be relevant to Melbourne readers
Melbourne Talk covers local businesses and services to help readers understand what options are available around the city.
Financial planning fits naturally into that research.
Some people may begin looking for advice because retirement is approaching. Others may want to make more informed decisions about investments, superannuation or insurance. Families can find themselves trying to understand Centrelink or aged care, while business owners may need to consider succession and protection strategies.
Freedom Financial Planning works across these different circumstances from its office in Notting Hill.
The business says its advice begins with understanding each client’s circumstances and goals before developing recommendations. That personalised approach may be one factor to investigate if you are comparing Melbourne financial advisers and want an ongoing planning relationship rather than advice focused on a single transaction.
Freedom Financial Planning has been operating since 2003
Longevity is one useful piece of information to consider when researching a professional services business.
Freedom Financial Planning was established in 2003 and says it has grown through referrals and long-standing client relationships.
Over more than two decades, the firm has advised people through wealth-building, retirement transitions, superannuation decisions, investments, insurance, Centrelink matters and aged care planning.
Financial circumstances can change significantly over time. Careers move in different directions, markets fluctuate, legislation changes and family priorities evolve. Retirement, inheritance, business changes and aged care can also introduce decisions that were not relevant earlier in life.
Freedom Financial Planning positions ongoing advice and regular reviews as important parts of its service, allowing financial strategies to be reconsidered as circumstances change.
How Freedom Financial Planning approaches financial advice
For anyone comparing financial advisers, understanding the advice process can be just as useful as looking at the list of services.
Freedom Financial Planning outlines a process that includes an introductory meeting to understand the client’s circumstances and goals, followed by strategy modelling and assessment of possible options.
The firm then prepares personalised recommendations and presents its advice with an opportunity for clients to ask questions and seek clarification.
Where a client decides to proceed, Freedom Financial Planning provides implementation support and can conduct ongoing reviews.
The firm also says it places an emphasis on plain-English communication, transparency around fees and risks, and explaining the trade-offs involved in financial decisions.
Who might consider researching Freedom Financial Planning?
Freedom Financial Planning works with a varied client base rather than concentrating exclusively on one life stage.
According to the business, this includes:
- professionals and families building long-term wealth
- people approaching retirement
- retirees looking at income and financial stability
- people reviewing their superannuation
- families navigating Centrelink requirements
- people making aged care decisions for themselves or family members
- business owners considering growth, protection or succession
- first home buyers and aspiring investors seeking guidance.
That breadth makes Freedom Financial Planning potentially relevant to Melbourne readers at several different stages of their financial lives.
The important question is whether its services, approach and costs suit your particular circumstances.
Professional structure and advice process
Financial advice is an area where checking professional credentials and regulatory information should form part of your research.
Freedom Financial Planning states that its advisers are authorised representatives of Consultum Financial Advisers Pty Ltd and that the business operates within Australian regulatory frameworks.
The firm prepares tailored Statements of Advice setting out recommendations, reasoning, risks, costs and proposed next steps.
Its advisory team includes Director and Financial Adviser Mark Struik, Director and Financial Adviser Richard Unmack, Partner and Financial Adviser Ryan J Dupuis, Financial Adviser Lee Jackson, Partner and Financial Adviser Stephanie Mitchell, and Provisional Financial Adviser Georgia Maher.
A client services team supports the advisers with administration, paperwork, communication and follow-up.
As personnel, authorisations and other business details can change, check Freedom Financial Planning’s current information directly when carrying out your research.
What to consider before choosing a financial adviser
Choosing a financial adviser can be a significant decision, so it makes sense to compare more than one option.
Consider the type of advice you need, the adviser’s qualifications and authorisations, how fees work, what is included in the service and whether the adviser regularly works with people in circumstances similar to yours.
It can also be useful to ask how recommendations are developed, what ongoing advice involves and how frequently your financial plan would be reviewed.
Most importantly, make sure you understand the recommendations, risks, costs and alternatives before acting.
Melbourne Talk provides information about businesses such as Freedom Financial Planning as a starting point for research. We do not provide financial advice or guarantee the suitability of a featured provider for an individual reader.
Freedom Financial Planning is one Melbourne option to research
Melbourne is home to a large professional-services sector, giving locals plenty of choices when they need financial guidance.
Freedom Financial Planning stands out as an established Melbourne firm with a history dating back to 2003 and services spanning wealth creation, superannuation, retirement, Centrelink, aged care, insurance and other areas of financial planning.
Its Notting Hill location and focus on personalised, ongoing advice may make it relevant to individuals and families looking for a Melbourne-based adviser.
If its services appear to match what you need, the next step is to investigate the business directly, ask questions and compare it with other suitable providers before deciding how to proceed. Visit freedomfinancialplanning.com.au for current information and contact details.
