Frequently Asked Questions

Strategic Wealth commenced as a business in October 2004 and has been operating in the CBD (in its current and previous form) for the past 20 years. We have an excellent reputation in the industry, being the recipients of recent prestigious awards.

We specialise in providing advice for high net worth clients with straightforward or complex situations.  Our guiding principal is to always enhance our client’s financial wellbeing.

Our team are highly trained professionals who are passionate about what they do.  We have a combined 50 years of business and financial planning experience to bring to the table for our valued clients.

We operate as part of Godfrey Pembroke Limited, one of Australia’s premium Financial Planning Groups.

Godfrey Pembroke is an Australian Financial Services Licensee and a Life Insurance Broker.

Godfrey Pembroke is also a Principal Member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA).

They have offices in all state capitals and in most large regional centres throughout Australia. As a group Godfrey Pembroke support more than 180 professionals who provide financial planning advice and services to individuals, small businesses and corporations across the globe. The group's experience and expertise has come about through the amalgamation of some of the industries most notable participants, namely:

In 1995 Godfrey Weston (est 1981) and Pembroke Financial Planners (est 1986) merged.  In 1999 Godfrey Pembroke was purchased by MLC which in turn was purchased by the National Australia Bank Group in 2000.  In 2001 Deutsche Bank’s financial planning and portfolio management businesses were purchased by the NAB and merged with Godfrey Pembroke.

In 2006 Godfrey Pembroke was the first group to operate only under a Fee for Advice model for financial planning services.

As a group, Godfrey Pembroke has approximately $6 billion of funds under management on behalf of over 20,000 clients.

The financial planning industry in Australia is subject to a high degree of regulation which has been rigorously evolved over recent years.  The primary objective of these regulations is to protect the public when seeking advice from Practitioners who may influence a client’s decision to purchase a financial product. 

Financial planning services may only be provided upon the granting of an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) issued under very strict criteria by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The licence permits the licence holder to deal in securities or advise on investments, which may be achieved through representatives or authorised representatives who have been approved by the licence holder to provide advice to clients.  Representatives of licence holders must meet minimum training requirements and also be licenced by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).  The licence holder is ultimately responsible for the advice given by their representatives and must ensure they meet all training and compliance prerequisites.

In addition to this, the Financial Planning Association (FPA), recognised as the peak professional body representing financial planners in Australia, has established a Code of Ethics and Rules of Professional Conduct by which financial planners are required to operate.  The FPA provides leadership and a professional framework that enable members to deliver quality financial advice to their clients. 

The FPA is also licensed to provide the CFP Certification Program to financial planners in Australia. CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM, CFP^® and the  Mark are international marks representing the highest professional certification that can be awarded to a financial planner worldwide.

A Certified Financial Planner is someone who is dedicated to a high level of professionalism in the delivery of personal financial advice to clients.

Only those who fulfil initial and ongoing certification requirements can use the CFP certification mark.  This means when you meet with a CFP professional you can have confidence in their experience, ethics, competence and integrity and be assured that they their processes and overall objectives are always to put their clients’ interests and needs first. Rigorous requirements for the award of certification have meant the CFP Mark has quickly become the highest standard in financial planning worldwide. There are over 102,000 CFP professionals worldwide with some 5,500 in Australia.

CFP^®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM and  are certification marks owned outside the U.S. by Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. Financial Planning Association of Australia Limited is the marks licensing authority for the CFP Marks in Australia, through agreement with FPSB.

A financial planner, much as an accountant or lawyer, utilizes their professional training, formal study and experience in understanding your personal financial situation and co-ordinating solutions to meet your needs in every area of your financial life.  Accessing this expertise enables you to receive the best possible advice to protect and leverage your family’s income and asset position over the short, medium and long-term. 

We keep abreast of changes in legislation, technical strategies and investment markets and products to quickly determine the relevant impacts on you.  We are able to assess and respond appropriately to ensure your strategic plan remains on track to meeting your lifestyle needs. This means we are also best placed to identify and co-ordinate the right specialist professionals where necessary eg Foreign Tax Specialists, Estate Planning & Investment Management etc.  At Strategic Wealth, we hold certain beliefs and views, based on extensive research and experience, on each of the financial areas that are addressed in a financial plan.  We have documented our considered Philosophies for your further information.

We charge fees on a Fee for Advice basis only which means that we do not receive commissions from financial institutions on investment products.

Our initial consultation is provided free of charge.  Should you wish to proceed with our service, then there will be charges for the development of a Wealth Management Plan and for Ongoing Service. Our Fees and Remuneration section provides more detail on the structure of our fees as will our Financial Services Guide Reprsentative Profile.

We enjoy what we do because we make a positive ‘difference’ in the lives of our clients. One of the best ways to understand the value that we add is to read more about what our clients think.  Our Client Testimonials speak for themselves.  If you have any further questions, please Contact Us via phone or email.