Benefits of partnering with us
See how we differ from our competitors.
Independent Financial Advice
We believe in the value of independent financial advice
To feel comfortable advice is in your best interests, it must be free of conflict of interests.
There are many financial planning firms that claim to be ‘independently owned’, but this does not mean they are truly independent financial advisers.
Strategy First Financial Planning has been operating since September 2005, under its own licence, charging a fee for service, rebating all commissions and providing impartial advice.
We have no influence from or association with financial product providers. We do not accept commissions on any financial products. The only way we are paid is by you, our clients, and it is a flat dollar fee. These costs are agreed upfront before any work is undertaken.
Since March 2021, we have met the legal definition of Independent Financial Advice, which was updated in the Corporations Act, post the Roal Commission.
The Legal Definition of Independent Financial Advice
As per section 923A of the Corporations Act 2001 financial advisers can only call themselves “independent”, “unbiased” or “impartial” if they (and their associates) do not receive any of the following:
- commissions (apart from commissions that are rebated in full to the person’s clients)
- forms of remuneration calculated on the basis of the volume of business placed by the person with an issuer of a financial product
- other gifts or benefits from an issuer of a financial product that may reasonably be expected to influence the person.
In plain English, and to satisfy the law and call yourself ‘independent’, means you must rebate or avoid all commissions, not charge fees based on a volume of product sold and have no affiliation or ownership with any product manufacturer that could lead to a conflict of interest or a perceived conflict of interest.
The only fees we receive are directly from our clients which means we only work for you. We rebate all commissions on all products.
Contact us today to see how we can help you. There is no charge for the initial consultation.
Financial Wellbeing
Our goal is to help you achieve peace of mind. We do this by focusing on the three broad areas that comprise your Financial Wellbeing:
Emotional Value
Helping you to feel confident and supported. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Financial Value
Covering every facet of your financial life, our broad service offering ensures a holistic approach.
Portfolio Value
Our proven philosophy is designed to optimise your investment experience. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Experience
At the heart of Strategy First Financial Planning are our five senior Financial Advisers, a formidable team who have combined experience of almost 100 years. This depth of experience is not just a number —it's a reflection of the countless clients we've guided towards financial success, the complex personal & financial challenges navigated, and the evolving financial & legislative landscapes mastered.
Since its inception in September 2005, Strategy First has carved its own path in the financial planning industry. Unlike many in our field, we operate under our own license, a symbol of our commitment to autonomy and our ability to tailor our services directly to the needs of our clients without external pressures.
Our fee-for-service model is designed with transparency and fairness in mind, ensuring that every dollar you invest in our services is a dollar towards unbiased, objective advice.
We believe in putting your interests first, which is why we rebate all commissions back to you. Our approach is simple yet revolutionary: provide impartial advice that genuinely serves the best interest of our clients, and do so with integrity, dedication, and an unwavering focus on achieving their financial goals. This philosophy is the cornerstone of our firm and the reason behind our enduring success.
Having been the CEO and Chair of ASX top 50 companies I regard myself as reasonably sophisticated in relation to financial matters however the one piece of personal advice I always give family and friends on the topic of financial planning is to get advice. I believe the multitude of options and complexities involved in financial planning mean you need advice from a subject matter expert which can make a significant difference to your financial future. The question of course is where to go for that advice. As a long-term client of Strategy First I’ve always found David and the team to be outstanding in their provision of independent, unbiased, fact-based advice that has always been in my family’s best interest. David and the team have always been open, honest and one hundred percent trustworthy in the advice they have provided over many years. Whether this has involved investment options, superannuation matters, the bank of ‘mum and dad’, retirement or estate planning. I am very happy to recommend Strategy First and confident they will not only provide sound independent advice but will also be a pleasure to deal with.
- Michael (client since 2005)
