Financial planning

Avenue Capital Management offers the option of receiving either comprehensive financial planning or specific advice to its clients. Finding out what is most suitable to you will depend on your personal circumstances and previous experience. In the pages following we have endeavoured to provide an overview of some of the more common areas of advice.

The information provided is an overview only and we recommend seeking further advice before any strategy is implemented.

Financial plans can be specific to one asset or strategy, for example paying off debt or establishing a regular savings program, or can be all encompassing and complex.

Financial planning is simply the process of designing and implementing a plan of action in relation to your financial affairs. Financial plans can be specific to one asset or strategy, for example paying off debt or establishing a regular savings program, or can be all encompassing and complex.

A comprehensive financial plan addresses all areas of current and future financial matters that influence a person’s financial wellbeing. A comprehensive financial plan is recommended for the majority of clients, as it ensures that all areas of financial concern and importance to the specific client are incorporated.

The following is a guide of what may be examined in a comprehensive financial plan:

Cashflow analysis, including sources of income and all regular, impending and lump sum expenditure (download the Avenue Budget Planner);
Risk analysis and risk/return fundamentals;
Asset and investment analysis including allocation, and reasons for recommendations;
Debt planning and management;
Accessibility funding and the necessity to plan for unforeseen emergencies;
Income producing investments, including income replacement in retirement and top-up income;
Asset accumulation for future needs, including education funding, asset upgrade or replacement, future lump sum expenditure and retirement planning;
Retirement funding, including superannuation and income stream planning;
Wealth accumulation, including a regular savings regime and gearing strategies;
Taxation planning, including the benefits of income splitting, imputation credits, foreign tax credits, superannuation and income stream treatment and remuneration planning;
Social security eligibility, including family benefits, pensions and allowances;
Risk management, including health insurance, asset protection, income replacement insurance, medical trauma cover, premature death cover and business insurance planning;
Estate planning, including wills, powers of attorney, trust structures and tax payable upon death;
Review the structure recommended after establishment of the financial plan to ensure the suitability of the financial plan in the event of changing circumstances;
Fees and charges payable for the implementation, maintenance and review of the financial plan;
Projections for cashflow, investment income and growth and anticipated portfolio valuations over the anticipated investment time horizon.

A successful financial plan is the result of an effective partnership between you, the client, and your financial planner, from the beginning and over your investment lifespan.

The key to effective financial planning and advice is a thorough investigation and understanding of your individual financial position, investment objectives and financial goals. A successful financial plan is the result of an effective partnership between you, the client, and your financial planner, from the beginning and over your investment lifespan. To ensure that the advice given is constructed to meet your individual goals and circumstances, it is vital that all information regarding your finances, health, goals, objectives and risk tolerance is provided to your financial planner.

If you do not provide sufficient information you should be aware that inappropriate advice may be given. If this advice is implemented, you risk making a financial commitment to investments and policies that may not be appropriate to your requirements.