Why Choose Us
We Are Truly Unique
We are the ONLY Independent Advice Professionals north of the Swan River WA, awarded with the Gold Standard of Independence.
THE REASONS
There are only six truly independent advisers in WA and sixty two independent financial advisers in Australia.
So the question is, why are there only 62 independent financial advisers out of a total of 21,284 in Australia? The reason is passive income. Most advisers choose to profit from increases in client portfolio values and insurance premiums due to commissions - we do not.
Our advisers provide unique insight by combining goal based advice with advanced tax strategies. We love helping our clients save on investment and superannuation fees by cutting out the middle man. We have done the hard work to let our clients know we work in their best interest.
Professional advice that really makes the difference.
Mick Steffan is a founding member of the Profession of Independent Financial Advisers (PIFA).
By following to the codes of PIFA as a professional, we have elected to adhere to strict ethical standards set by the Professional Standards Councils (PSC).
That means that our way of providing our services is different than 99% of the other financial advisers by prioritising the impact of our services to the community first, then our clients, followed by our professional associations and lastly our profitability.
Furthermore, to continue to meet the definition of the profession Mick also requires to:
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Operate at a higher level than what is required under the Financial Advisers Standards and Ethical Authority (FASEA) standards of level of education including additional ongoing professional development
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Commit to prescribed professional and ethical standards including specific expectation of practice and conduct and a commitment to higher duty to improve consumer protection and outcomes.
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Meet certain personal capabilities of experience in the financial planning industry.
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Be subject to additional ongoing assurance of practice through compliance and audits.
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Be subject to strict guidelines and principles set by his professional entity ,PIFA, which oversees and administrate the standards and compliance requirements under the Professional Standards Legislation.
More about us here.
High quality sensible and appropriate advice, free from institutional bias, putting clients interests first.
Completely Independent
Our advisers, our business and our licensee is not connected, aligned, owned or influenced by any investment, bank, insurance company, or other financial product provider.
We have chosen to meet the strict requirements of section S923A of the Corporation Act. We are genuinely independent! As a result, our advice is purely made with your interest at heart. Not of the bank or any other financial institution like 99% of the other advisers. As a company we meet the highest requirements labeled as the Gold Standard of Independence.
Fully Transparent Flat Fees
We love creating advice and we love our clients. But we also like to get paid.
Our advice process is simple and transparent. First appointments are free of change. The first appointment is to see if we can establish a mutually beneficial long term relationship.
Our charges consist of an upfront a flat fee to create a strategic plan and a monthly ongoing flat fee to remain on track. That is it. Our fees can be taken from your superannuation in most cases if your current cash flow is limited. Ongoing fees may also be tax deductible.
Only after you decide to hire us you will receive personal advice. This is written in a statement of advice which tells you what to do next.
The Power of Goal Based Advice
Research found that 70% of people dont actually know what their goals are, while 25% of people do have goals, but dont have them written down. When goal based advice is properly formulated, it ensures you remain focused on your outcomes and not on outperforming the share market.
More importantly, having set goals allows our advisers to recommend investment solutions that align with your time frame.
While long term goals are important, consumers struggle to engage with them emotionally. It is so far away we get told!! Our advice process focusses dually on long and short term goals so that clients know how to retire comfortably while enjoying also their lifestyle now!
Direct Investments
We prefer to use direct shares, exchange traded funds or index funds to build long term wealth. Research has proven a consistent process based investment strategy combined with the efficient portfolio theory reduces risk and increases long term returns. Direct investment strategy involves choosing our own listen shares and index exchange traded funds. This has proven to be much more cost effective and provide better long term returns as indirect investment relies on expensive third parties such as fund managers to do the investing for you.
There are 7 days in a week and some day isn't one of them. Take action today, we are here to help.
About Us
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Michel (Mick) Steffan
M.Taxation, Dip FP , CFP 1-5, B.Bus, PIFA, Cert 2 New Bus
Managing Director
MORE ABOUT MICK
Education
Hogeschool Holland, Deakin University / Financial Planning Association, Curtin University of Technology, Security Institute, Self Managed Superannuation Association. Ethical Investment Association
Qualifications
Bachelor of Business, Diploma Financial Planning, Australian SMSF Specialist Adviser program, Certified Financial Planner program, Licensed Amateur Radio Operator.
Former Activities
Vice president BNI Northern Stars, President Geraldton Windsurfing Club, Professional Windsurfer, Coronation Beach Recreational Improvement Committee. Point Moore Improvement Group.
Other Activities
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Online and free weather data from Geraldton Port Weather, Point Moore, Coronation and Port Denison
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Financial news wire researcher Dow Jones Telerate, Option and Future Trading and Settlement
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Abrolhos Islands Conservation Group
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Founder of Nic and Mick Photography
Michel has been in the financial industry since 1994 and has been based in Geraldton since 1999. Before he came to Australia Michel acted as an insurance agent, options and futures settlements trader, and financial news resources researcher in Amsterdam.
Since becoming an adviser he has worked with local financial planners Norm Jupp, Joe Sadowski, and Dave Moustaka as a client service and business development manager. Michel attained his Certified Financial Planner designation in 2006, his Specialist Self Managed Super Fund Adviser designation in 2008, and his Masters in Taxation in 2011.
In 2011 Michel joined forces with Adam Hunter Accountants to set up Indian Ocean Financial Services. Eight years later in 2019 the dream of becoming an Independent Adviser became a reality and Independent Advisers WA was formed.
Michel's lifetime passion is windsurfing and currently competes as a semi professional. He also enjoys other sports such as spearfishing, surfing, kiting, sailing, beach volleyball, dirt biking, and running.
Follow Michel Steffan on Facebook and send a friend request to see his posts.