Let us find the Best Financial Planner for your Needs and Situation.
Louise Parker – Absolute Wealth Advisors
I’ve been in the financial planning game since 1989, helping folks imagine and then create a better financial future for themselves and their families.
With over 35 years in the business, I still get a real buzz from helping my clients reach their goals, and I’m more passionate than ever about it.
I joined Financial Lifestyle Managers in 2004 after stints with AMP and Westpac. I took to the business straight away – so much so that I ended up buying it in 2006.
In 2012, after six years of growing the client base and helping hundreds of people secure their financial future, I merged with FMD.
A couple of years later, in 2015, I kicked off a new chapter and relaunched Financial Lifestyle Managers to get back to what I love most – helping clients achieve their financial dreams.
And just recently, on 1st November 2024, I merged Financial Lifestyle Managers with Absolute Wealth Advisers to take the next step in providing even more comprehensive financial advice to our clients. It’s an exciting new chapter, and I’m pumped for what’s ahead.
Brent Cerutti – Kelly Wealth Services
Brent made the move from Ingham to Cairns in 2000 after completing a Bachelor of Management through James Cook University, Townsville. With over 14 years’ experience in the Financial Services Industry, including 6 years providing direct equities advice in a stockbroking role, Brent has a breadth of knowledge to help his clients make the right financial choices suitable to their circumstances.
He specialises in investments, wealth management, direct equities, superannuation, Self-Managed Super Funds, wealth protection, personal insurance and retirement planning and aged care advice. In addition to his degree, Brent has completed an Advanced Diploma of Financial Services and is an ASX accredited equities and derivatives adviser.
He is also an SMSF accredited adviser and holds the Certified Financial Planner® designation with the Financial Planning Association. More recently, Brent has also become an accredited Aged Care Professional™ in order to assist clients and their families, with the often stressful financial decisions required around transitioning into Aged Care.
Office
Suite 7, Florence House
Level 2, 26 Florence Street
Cairns QLD 4870
Tracey Kitson – Astute Financial
I have 10 years’ experience as a Financial Planner, having moved to Cairns from outback Queensland (Mount Isa), and joined the Astute family in February 2018. I grew up in Gladstone and started an admin traineeship with a Suncorp General Insurance Agent straight after leaving school. My partner and I moved to Mount Isa where we called home for next 13 years.
I worked for a Financial Planning Firm where I completed my Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning. Here I found my passion for helping clients achieve their financial goals, protect their most important assets (their family), but also build strong trusting relationships to enable me to be there for my clients through the tough times when claims need to be made to ensure this time is as stress-free as possible.
As many have done before me, a short holiday to Cairns lead to a love affair with the region. The majestic rainforest surroundings and reef, stole my heart and it wasn’t long before I trekked across the state to start the new chapter of my life with my family.
I have 10 years’ experience as a Financial Planner and am with you every step of the way throughout your lifetime. I take the time to listen to your needs and objectives and find solutions that you not only understand, but are comfortable with.
I invite you to give our office a ring to see how I can assist you in the planning and protection of your financial future.
Office
136 Mulgrave Road, CAIRNS, QLD 4870
Scott Burness – Yellow Brick Road Wealth Management
For the last 20 years, I have managed a property portfolio and invested in small business enterprises. Now, a great day at work is when I can use this knowledge to help my clients whether their enquiry relates to business structuring, finance, property investment, insurance, superannuation or any other financial needs.
Having been an active sportsman and adventurer, my travels have taken me to over 80 countries. These travels reinforce what an exceptional place I was born and raised in. Far North Queensland is a truly unique place. When I have downtime, you’ll probably see me having a game of golf on the course nearby. Through Yellow Brick Road, I can provide a comprehensive range of financial products to clients in one convenient location, which will save you both time and money. I seek to provide all of our clients with advice and solutions that enable them to live a life of balance and security, whilst building wealth safely for their retirement.
Office
154-156 Mulgrave Road,
Cairns QLD 4870
Peter Horsfield – SMART Advice
We are a boutique financial planning business that specializes in helping you become financially independent sooner. Our services include advice, implementation and ongoing management of all your financial needs.
Important to our clients is the freedom to do what they want, with whom they want, when they want, wherever they want, however they want.
Message from Peter:
We are very fortunate in this great country “The Lucky Country” to have so many opportunities.
My journey of a 1000 miles and financial independence began with a single step on my 25th birthday.
Twenty plus years later and 20,000+ hours of studies, certification & professional experience to this day, I still continue to learn new things, invest in new opportunities and also help others along their journey too.
I’ve learnt that simply earning more money is not the only ingredient required to become wealthy. True financial independence requires the blend of simplification, organisation, implementation, perspiration and being held accountable every step along the way.
Action ultimately the DNA of one’s success. “An inch of action will always deliver you more results than endless miles of intentions”
My mission is simple. “Help you to achieve your financial goals sooner.” It is this combination, of your action and our delivering a tailored and effective advice solution, built on flexibility and value that makes “your goals being achieved sooner’ a reality.
In 2005 I was appointed Managing Director of FMW Financial Planning and grew the business to become recognised 2007, 2008 and 2010 as the National Advisory Practice of the Year.
In 2014 we expanded our offices and services, support and advice to include Cairns beginning a new partnership with Infocus Money Management.
Today my time is invested helping and supporting clients along the entire eastern seaboard of Australia. With offices in Cairns, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne.
Office
Level 1, 35 Grafton Street, Cairns QLD 4870
Rita Zappulla – SMSF Strategic Advisors
Rita is a Cairns local. Born here, she attended St Monica’s College before heading to Brisbane to complete her tertiary education at the University of Queensland. Family connections saw her return to Cairns, where she was employed with several leading accounting and financial planning firms, before deciding to start her own business.
Married to Brien Leibinger (Brien Leibinger Lawyers, who also specialise in Estate Planning, Inheritance Protection, Business Succession and more) Rita and Brien have two children and enjoy spending time with the family on weekends.
Rita Zappulla started SMSF Strategic Advisors in late 2014. Rita is excited to have her own business and looks forward to continuing to provide expert financial advice and services, to business and individual clients in her own capacity.
Rita Zappulla is a Certified Financial Planner, Registered Tax Agent and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia.
Specialties
• Self-Managed Superannuation Funds
• Superannuation and Rollover Advice
• Centrelink Advice
• Buying and Selling Shares
• Retirement Planning
• Corporate Superannuation
• Financial Planning
• Investment Strategies
• Tax Planning Advice
• Portfolio Management
• Insurance Advice
• Estate Planning
Office
2/192 Mulgrave Road,
Cairns, QLD 4870
Danny Maher – Fiducia Private Wealth
Fiducia’s principal Danny Maher CFP DipFP has over 20 years in financial services and is a fourth generation local to Far North Queensland.
Danny is a CFP and a practitioner member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), Australia’s peak professional association for financial advisers.
Danny has served on various national FPA committees, as well as the local Cairns Chapter and has filled the role as Chapter Chair over the last ten years.
Danny is recognised as a leading practitioner, not just locally but nationally and has spoken at conferences locally and nationally both for the FPA and also for various dealer groups and licencees.
Danny’s passion is for sport and spending time with his wife Fiona and his two sons, Lachlan and Ryan.
Danny Maher
CFP DipFP, SPAA SMSF Specialist AdviserTM
Office
Level 1, 103-113 Spence Street, Cairns QLD 4870
Jason O’Donnell – O’Donnell Kerr Financial Planner
Jason has had extensive experience providing all aspects of financial advice to clients throughout Queensland.
Jason is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and holds a Diploma of Financial Planning through the Financial Planning Association in conjunction with Deakin University. He is an Authorised Representative of O’Donnell Kerr Pty Ltd – Corporate Authorised Representative of Advice Professionals Pty Ltd. Jason is a member of the Financial Planning Association.
Office
1/170 Mulgrave Rd, Cairns, QLD, 4870
Judith Brown – PSK Private Wealth
Judith has 27 years’ experience in the financial services industry. She helps clients navigate the complexity of legislation and implement financial strategies that will work towards reaching a client’s lifestyle goals. Over the years she has seen her clients raise their children and retire and has been able to share with clients the journey that is financial planning. She enjoys using her experience to provide comprehensive and practical advice to a wide range of clients in a variety of situations, including families, professionals, small business and rural operations.
Judith’s goal is to support her clients in any decision they may need to make in life and act as a sounding board and the voice of reason through their journey.
Judith finds the most rewarding part of the position to be when her clients achieve their goals, especially retirement.
Outside of the office, Judith is passionate about giving back to the community and is currently the Finance Chair of Meals on Wheels Queensland and Treasurer of Cairns Meals on Wheels.
Office
Level 2, 111-115 Grafton Street, Cairns QLD 4870
Joel Little – Ipac Securities Limited
Joel has been helping clients with their finances since 2008 and enjoys ensuring that his clients are making the most of what they have. Joel has extensive experience assisting clients of all ages and backgrounds to develop simple solutions to reach their financial and lifestyle goals.
Joel has particular interests in:
Joel moved back to Cairns in 2011 to enjoy the tropical lifestyle and provide his family with opportunities that only a regional centre can.
Most people seek the services of a mechanic to ensure that their car runs reliably or plan their wedding because they want a positive outcome. Many people use a tax agent for their tax returns because they don’t understand the system. The same logic applies to financial advice – it provides a reliable and positive financial outcome in a complex world.
Joel’s goal is to have fun, keep it simple, enjoy the company of my colleagues and clients while making a difference.
Office
Level 5, 111-115 Grafton Street, Cairns
QLD 4870
The cost of hiring a financial advisor can fluctuate based on the specific services you need. Whether you seek comprehensive financial planning or advice tailored to a specific goal or situation, the fees may vary. Either way, there is typically initial upfront cost.
The Financial Planning Association (FPA) states that average setup fees are typically around $3,300, with annual service charges ranging from $4,000 to $5,000. That said, fee structures can differ among financial planners, so it’s crucial to have a transparent discussion about fees in the beginning.
We have reviewed all of the financial advisors in Cairns and the area to compile a list of the best financial planners. To determine our top ten advisors, we assessed their qualifications, years of experience, client testimonials, and their track record of reviews on platforms like Google and Facebook. Only those that have consistent positive feedback have been included on our list of best financial planners in Cairns.
Identifying the right financial advisor is crucial, yet it can be a complex task due to the variety of financial planners available. If you are in search of a financial planner in Cairns, here are a few factors you should take into account.
First, consider their qualifications and accreditations. While this doesn’t guarantee a perfect match, it does indicate that they’ve completed the necessary tests and registrations.
Second, assess the types of clients they work with and whether they have any specialised areas of expertise. This insight can help indicate if they have the relevant experience and skills tailored to your specific situation.
Finally, evaluate their communication style. It’s essential to ensure that you can maintain open communication with them and that they are attentive to your concerns, responding to your questions promptly. Ultimately, your comfort level with your financial advisor is key.
Need financial planning advice in another area of Australia? Check out our recommended best financial planners in:
If you would prefer a female advisor, our list of the best women financial planners and advisors in Australia is a great resource.
This website showcases the best Financial Planners in Australia and makes it easy for you to find them. We have listed the Top 10 Financial Planners in each capital city based on our selection criteria.
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