How do I choose a financial adviser?


	Count advisers offer a free introductory consultation to give you the opportunity to meet them and make sure you are comfortable receiving their advice. Contact us to speak with an adviser.

The right adviser for you depends on your personal requirements. When choosing a financial adviser, it’s essential you find someone you can create an ongoing, long-term partnership – someone you feel comfortable with and trust.

The Australian Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC), the consumer protection regulator for the Australian Financial Services Industry, has seven key tips for choosing a financial adviser:

1. Deal only with a licensed financial services business – Count Financial Limited holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (No. 227232).

2. Pick the adviser with the strongest qualifications, experience and integrity.

3. Ask questions until you really understand

4. If you feel uneasy, it's OK to walk away

5. Make sure your financial plan suits your needs and personality

6. When you get a good plan, stick to it

7. Keep all your paperwork

Find out more about Count advisers, their qualifications and Count’s financial services licence, fees and the advice process.

Who owns your financial adviser?
Many of today's financial advice networks are owned by financial institutions - banks, fund managers and life insurance companies. This means the advisers work for the same company that owns the investment products which they can recommend.

In fact, a survey of Financial Planning networks showed that three out of every four networks in Australia are owned by product manufacturers:

Australia’s top 10 financial services groups
	Sells own products?
AMP Financial Planning
Professional Investment Services
Count Financial	No!
Westpac Financial Planning
AXA Financial Planning
Securitor
Commonwealth Financial Planning
Financial Wisdom
Garvan Financial Planning
Charter Financial Planning

Count is Australia’s largest independently owned network of financial planning accountants and advisers. We’re listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) and are primarily owned by Count advisers, staff and clients.

Count’s philosophy is to stay independent, so Australian investors will always have access to a large-scale investment advice – so investors know they’re getting advice in their best interests rather than that of the product provider or manufacturer.

As at 5 February, 2007
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