The success of financial planning is very much dependent upon the quality of the advice that you receive.  At Direct Advisers we believe that although the initial advice is very important, it is in fact secondary to the ongoing management of your investments.  It is a reality that changes to an investment portfolio will be inevitable. These changes may stem from economic forces, world events, changes in legislation, investment performance or indeed changes in your personal circumstances. Therefore our primary role is to establish a long and enduring relationship with you so that we can assist with the management of your investments. 

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Many investment advisers are paid by way of commissions from financial institutions when investments are placed on behalf of clients.  Our preference is to be paid directly by our clients and to not receive commissions to them.

Initial commission from investments can vary from zero to as much as 5 per cent of the investment. This method of payment has the potential to raise concerns in the mind of the investor as to whether or not the amount of commission has influenced the recommendation. Similarly, when the adviser makes a recommendation to change an investment this concern may also arise.

Ongoing or trail commissions can also raise concerns as to whether an investment product is being recommended on the basis of a higher ongoing commission than an alternative investment product.  In addition, trail commissions and other similar benefits such as volume bonuses are in fact paid out of the investment management fees that you pay to an investment product provider.  This means that investment management fees can be significantly reduced if these commissions are not paid.

We prefer to offer advice on a fee for service basis.  

Under our Active Investment Management Service we do not accept any commissions whatsoever.  We believe that only in this way can you be comfortable with the knowledge that commissions have not influenced our advice.

Active Investment Management Service portfolios are constructed using a combination of actively managed and index managed funds together with direct investments in Australian shares where appropriate.  Full investment and taxation reporting is also provided as well as internet access to your investment portfolio details at all times.  We have calculated that the absence of commissions when combined with our specialised portfolio construction techniques should save approximately 1.00% in total management fees on a typical portfolio.  This equates to a saving of approximately $3,000 per year on a $300,000 portfolio rising to approximately $12,000 per year on a $1,000,000 portfolio.

There will be no additional charges for any ongoing service such as portfolio management, reviews, updated financial plans, restructuring portfolios, Centrelink assistance, consultations, etc. 

If you choose to use the Active Investment Management Service we will do a full analysis of your investment needs and then develop a detailed financial plan, which encompasses your individually tailored investment strategy and specific investment recommendations. Please note that as this is an advice based service, as a first step we will need to prepare a written  financial plan at our normal fee.

Upon your acceptance of our recommendations we will then assist you with the placement of your investments.   At this point we will commence to track your investments via our Active Portfolio Management System, and we will contact you to advise of any action that may need to be taken regarding your investments.

In addition to this, twice a year we will review your financial situation and to report upon your investments.  An integral part of our Active Investment Management Service is your personal eCASH account, which is designed to simplify the management of your investment income and to smooth out your cash flows.

This service is best suited to portfolios valued at more than $250,000.

Additionally the payment of fees for financial planning advice may be eligible for a deduction against future income tax liabilities, depending upon your circumstances.

Under our Online Investment Account we charge flat initial and ongoing management fees with no additional fees or charges for changes to your portfolio.  Ongoing services such as a second review and other consultations are charged at our normal hourly rate.  Please note that as this is an advice based service, as a first step we will need to prepare a written  financial plan at our normal fee.

As this service uses wholesale investment funds, not only are management charges lower, but also there are no fund manager entry or exit fees, nor any switching fees when investments are changed.  

Additionally the payment of fees for financial planning advice may be eligible for a deduction against future income and capital gains tax liabilities, depending upon your circumstances.

If you choose to use our Online Investment Account we will do a full analysis of your investment needs and then develop a detailed financial plan which encompasses your individually tailored investment strategy and specific investment recommendations.

Upon your acceptance of our recommendations we will then assist you with the placement of your investments. At this point we will commence to track your investments and we will email, ring, write or fax you to advise of any action that may need to be taken regarding your investments.  In addition to this, we will contact you twice a year to review your financial situation and to report upon your investments. 

Using the Online Investment Account you will have access to your current investment balance, performance and unit price information and details of any recent transactions.  In addition, you are able to make additional investments, switch investments and make withdrawals by way of the internet.  Another advantage of the Online Investment Account is that at no extra cost you will receive full consolidated investment and taxation reporting covering all of your investments within the Online Investment Account

This is designed for clients who wish to seek advice (including financial planning) from us but who may not wish to have their investments continually managed. Our Investment Consultancy Service provides a fee based service which is charged out at an hourly / skills rate. Investments placed using our Investment Consultancy Service will receive a full rebate of initial commissions resulting in a nil entry cost to most managed funds.

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