After more than 20 years in financial advice, I’ve reached a milestone I’ve been working towards for some time: becoming an independent financial adviser.
But for me, this isn’t about doing things radically differently or being able to display a certification on my website. Instead, it’s the natural next step – one that reflects my values, my experience, and the kind of service I want to provide to my clients.
What does “independent financial adviser” actually mean?
As a financial adviser, you can’t just suddenly decide to call yourself independent – and it isn’t about owning your own business or offering clients a wide range of investments.
“Independent” is a restricted term in Australian financial advice, with advisers required to meet specific criteria before they can use it. In basic terms, it means the advice is free from certain commissions, product-provider incentives and other conflicts that could influence the recommendations an adviser makes.
My recent certification through the Certified Independent Financial Advisers Association of Australia (CIFAA) confirms that I meet these criteria. For me, it makes the relationship clear: my clients pay me for financial advice, and I provide the advice that’s right for them.
It’s the way I’ve practised advice for years, but now it’s official.
Why this matters to me
For me, and many other advisers, the title “independent financial adviser” is something of a badge of honour – the pinnacle of a career in financial advice.
It represents the kind of adviser I’ve always wanted to be: someone whose only priority when giving advice is the person sitting in front of me.
So I’m proud to be able to officially call myself independent, and to have that reflected in the way I can talk about myself and Emu Wealth.
What does it mean for you?
If you’re already an Emu Wealth client, you might be wondering what this actually changes for you. The short answer is: not much.
Emu Wealth was founded on my core values of offering clarity, building confidence and nurturing long-term relationships, and none of that is changing.
What independence does provide is extra reassurance about the advice you receive. You know who is paying me, you know where my interests lie, and you know my recommendations aren’t being driven by commissions or incentives from product providers.
Ultimately, it reinforces something I’ve always wanted my clients to feel: that when you sit down with me, my focus is on you and what’s right for your life.
If you’re approaching retirement or have already retired and are looking for helpful, jargon-free, tailored advice you can trust, I’d love to help you retire better.
Book your free 15-minute clarity call here.
