The Financial Planning Profession
Essay by people • May 24, 2012 • Case Study • 1,038 Words (5 Pages) • 1,672 Views
Week 1: The Financial Planning Profession
* Introduction
o Develop plan to meet client's life goals
o Ongoing review-changing environment, client needs
o Formal qualification and ongoing accreditation
* Why do clients need financial planning?
o Budgeting-manage income, expenses
o CF management-e.g. loan repayment
o Savings planning-expenditure and wealth creation
o Asset acquisition-home and investments, gearing
o Investment planning-asset allocation, timing
o Tax planning-tax strategies to maximise wealth, minimise tax
o Wealth protection-insurance and structures
o Capital protection-risk v return, longevity
o Complexity of fin. markets and products
o Legislative changes-tax and super law changes
o Financial independence in retirement
* Why don't people undertake financial planning?
o Lack knowledge: don't know about FP or their financial position can be improved
o Insufficient resources: Asset or income too low for FP to be useful
o Too complex: Procrastination and intrusive
o Avoid unpleasant topics: e.g. death, disability
o Can't afford: consider it costly
o No tangible value: can't see value of the advice
* FP Profession
o FPA, FINSIA, ANZIIF
o Heavily regulated for financial advice providers
o Minimum training requirements and licensed by ASIC
o Licensing: AFSL holders (licensee) or authorised reps of license holders
o Steps to become FP:
Bachelor degree in accounting, finance, economics.
ASIC RG 146 training and other on the job training (6m to 2yrs) if they want to provide financial product advice
Select a license holder (employer). Ultimate responsibility for advice given and ensure reps meet compliance and training requirements
CFP Program gives FPs credibility and certification with FPA (FP of Australia)
If providing specialised or securities advice, should complete competency training in various products/strategies.
FP undertake CPD (continuing professional development)
o Required skills/knowledge
People skills (interview, trust)
Information gathering, analysing
Consider alternative strategies and preparing financial plans
Business planning and business acumen
Negotiation skills
Mentoring, coaching and teaching skills when giving advice
Knowledge of global economy, trends, investments and strategies
Compliance and management skills
o Where do FP work?
Big4 banks and wealth management firms (retail, business, private banking levels)
Boutiques, brokerage firms, accounting, credit-counselling firms
Own practice or in partnership with accountants/mortgage brokers
o Recent FP Industry News
Storm Financials placed into VA and ceased trading in 2009.
FOFA (Future of Financial Advice) Legislation
* Ban upfront commissions on new investments and super and volume based payments
* Client must agree to ongoing advice fees
* FP must have client's best interest in mind
* Financial Planning Practice Planning Activities
o Select a practice structure
o Prepare business plan
SWOT
Statement of how the FP aims to perform
Continuously referred to and reviewed
Goals and objectives
Audience of the business plan include investors, lenders, key executives
o Find mentor
o Create advisory board (outsource)
o Back office team
o IT system
o Marketing plan
* Business Plan Structure
o Executive summary
Written last, outline of entire business plan
Describe the business, activities and management
Business opportunities and reason to go into the market
Overview of market research, analysis and critical risks
Summary of marketing plan
Summary of financial and operational plans
Financing required to start business, what type and for what purpose
o Introduction
Business description
Industry description and current conditions
Opportunities
o Market research and analysis
Is there a market for your service or product
Is the market growing
Market
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