Preparing to Meet a Financial Adviser: A Practical Guide
Meeting with a financial adviser is a great first step to gaining clarity, confidence, and control over your financial future.
Whether it’s your first appointment or a regular review, a little preparation can go a long way in making the most of your time together.
1. Gather Your Financial Information
Before your meeting, collect key documents that give a clear picture of your financial situation:
Recent tax returns and pay slips
Superannuation and investment account statements
Insurance policies (life, income protection, etc.)
Mortgage, loan, and credit card details
Estate planning documents (wills, powers of attorney)
Having these on hand allows your adviser to assess your current position and tailor recommendations to your needs.
2. Clarify Your Goals
Think about what you want to achieve, both short-term and long-term. Common goals include:
Planning for retirement
Saving for a home or children’s education
Managing debt or cash flow
Building wealth or protecting assets
The clearer your goals, the more focused and relevant your advice will be.
3. Be Ready to Share Personal Circumstances
Your adviser will want to understand your personal and financial background. Expect to discuss:
Your income and expenses
Family situation and dependents
Employment status and career plans
Any recent life changes (marriage, divorce, inheritance, etc.)
This helps your adviser build a strategy that reflects your real-life context.
4. Prepare Questions
Your meeting is a two-way conversation. Consider asking:
How do you tailor advice to my goals and risk tolerance?
What fees are involved?
What happens if my circumstances change?
How do you choose investment products?
Bringing questions ensures you leave the meeting with clarity and confidence.
5. Understand the Advice Process
The advice process will include:
Completing a Fact Find and Risk Tolerance Questionnaire
Discussing general strategies and next steps
Receiving a Letter of Engagement outlining advice areas and fees
Reviewing your financial goals and updating your profile as needed
If you’re considering SMSFs or other entities, be prepared to provide trust deeds, investment strategies, and compliance documents.
6. Be Honest and Open
The more transparent you are, the better your adviser can help. Share your concerns, values, and any financial habits or challenges. This builds trust and ensures your plan is realistic and achievable.
Preparing to meet your adviser isn’t just about paperwork, it’s about setting the stage for a meaningful partnership. With the right preparation, you’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of your financial path and the confidence to move forward.
Have more questions? Reach out to our knowledgeable team today.
General Advice Warning
The information in this presentation contains general advice only, that is, advice which does not take into account your needs, objectives or financial situation. You need to consider the appropriateness of that general advice in light of your personal circumstances before acting on the advice. You should obtain and consider the Product Disclosure Statement for any product discussed before making a decision to acquire that product. You should obtain financial advice that addresses your specific needs and situation before making investment decisions. While every care has been taken in the preparation of this information, Infocus Securities Australia Pty Ltd (Infocus) does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information. Infocus does not guarantee any particular outcome or future performance. Infocus is a registered tax (financial) adviser. Any tax advice in this presentation is incidental to the financial advice in it. Taxation information is based on our interpretation of the relevant laws as at 1 July 2020. You should seek specialist advice from a tax professional to confirm the impact of this advice on your overall tax position. Any case studies included are hypothetical, for illustration purposes only and are not based on actual returns.