Any financial dealings should be considered with an accountant and financial planner and to find the right ones for you, speak with friends, get personal recommendations and check with professional bodies before you decide.

Clarify just what areas both a financial planner and an accountant have the most experience in before you engage them.

You should meet with at least three of each before you make your choice. When you make an appointment with a financial planner, ask lots of questions about their qualifications, registration, fees charged and commissions which should be outlined in their Financial Services Guide. Ask if advice will be written and how they charge for services. You need to know how issues between clients and planners are resolved and whether they are registered with ASIC.

Finding someone who has experience in the area you need is important and a little bit of homework now will make it easier to make a decision about who is helping you with your finances.

The same rules will apply when choosing an accountant. Ask what professional bodies they belong to and if they are registered. Check whether you will be charged an hourly rate for advice, administration costs (phone calls, faxes, fees for letters, travelling time), will they return calls within a reasonable time, how long it will take to finish your work and whether you will get a breakdown of fees.

Centerlink Financial Information Service

Centerlink's Financial Information Service (FIS) is an education and information service available to everyone in the community. FIS helps people to make informed decisions about investment and financial issues for their current and future financial needs. FIS officers are not financial planners or councellors. They do not give or sell advice or purchase investment products, and FIS officers do not make calculations or decisions about your pension. FIS is independant, free and confidential and provides services through seminars, and by phone and appointment.

A fact sheet on the service is available at:

www.centerlink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/publications/fis002.htm

The National Information Centre on Retirement Investments is a government funded, independent consumer agency which provides information on a range of investment products. There are leaflets available on investments aspects and a booklet explaining financial planning.
Telephone Information is free: 9am-5pm Monday to Friday: 1800 020 110
www.nicri.org.au