The Essential Qualities to Look for in a Financial Advisor: Personal and Professional Expertise

Few of us have the time or desire to dedicate ourselves to the level of study required to become competent investment professionals. When we want to understand how to leverage our money, we talk to someone in the best position to give us advice – we talk to an investment expert.

A good financial advisor operates much like any good olympic coach, doctor, or business consultant. First, on a personal level, they should be approachable, ethical, trustworthy, and able to communicate in terms you understand. Listening to the client and giving clear strategic advice is vital to a successful long-term relationship. Finding a good fit financial advisor first starts with making sure this personal element is right. 

Beyond a strong ethical character and good personal skills, finding a good financial advisor means finding a qualified financial advisor – that is, someone able to demonstrate competence and deliver sound expertise. A good financial advisor should have specialised knowledge that can be applied specifically to the client’s situation. And, critically, a good advisor will wait until they fully understand the client’s situation before offering any advice. 

People come from all walks of life, have different levels of incomes, different risk tolerances, and different goals at different times in their lives. Smart investment decisions therefore need to take these factors into consideration and align with the personality of the investor to develop the appropriate portfolio. This is where a good financial advisor can really help: working with you to define and refine realistic financial goals to help you succeed in reaching your financial future.  

In addition to sound investment advice, one of the most important things a financial advisor does is provide guidance on where not to invest and thus help you to avoid common mistakes. 

Investment decisions can often be made in the moment, emotionally, and based on gut instinct, rather than logic, evidence, and research. The process of sitting down with an advisor, raising questions, clarifying, and gauging the client’s level of knowledge of key issues is key to helping the client understand the risks involved, the best strategies based on changing market factors, and take into consideration potential pitfalls that untrained investors are likely to miss.

As specialists in investment strategies, we will tailor a solution that meets your specific needs. Only when you understand and are happy with the specified strategy, will we move towards a specific product or platform that will be the right tool for the job.

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Your Financial Journey

STAGE 1

Foundations to wealth

STAGE 2

Pathway to wealth

STAGE 3

Countdown to retirement

STAGE 4

Retire in style

STAGE 1

Foundations to wealth

STAGE 2

Pathway to wealth

STAGE 3

Countdown to retirement

STAGE 4

Retire in style

Our advisors

Andrew McLauchlan

Andrew McLauchlan

General Manager and Financial Advisor

Graduating from Bond University with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1999 Andrew then gained 4 years of invaluable experience with Macquarie Bank and ABN AMRO. Andrew has completed post-graduate studies in Chartered Account and Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning. He is now the General Manager and Financial Advisor with McLauchlan Wealth.

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Leighton Fah

Leighton Fah

Financial Advisor

Leighton is a Financial Advisor with McLauchlan Wealth and is passionate about developing strategic and objectives-based financial plans for all clients. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Finance and an Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning, Leighton has had over 12 years’ experience in the finance sector and worked in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Australia. Outside of work, he is kept busy by his two young children and loves anything to do with the beach.

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