PLANNERS IN PROFILE

Owned by: Cameron Walshe is part of the Suncorp Group, one of Australia’s top 20 ASX listed companies. It was one of the first investment advisory firms in the Australian financial services industry.

Number of planners: Cameron Walshe has 18 advisers at offices in Melbourne, Perth, Bunbury and Fremantle, with national expansion expected in 2008.

Main wrap/master trust platform(s) used: Some of the most common platforms include Macquarie, Asgard and Navigator wraps and Asteron’s Optimum, Asgard, Colonial First State, ING and MasterKey mastertrusts.

How are fees charged?: Advisers discuss charges with clients and give them the choice of either fee and/or commission. Generally a client will elect a combination of fees and commission for initial plan preparation and ongoing advice. Cameron Walshe advisers disclose total costs to clients through written statements of advice.

Qualification of planners: Most advisers are tertiary qualified and/or certified financial planners. Some also hold MBA qualifications and have CPA accreditation. Cameron Walshe adviser Paul Moran was IFA 2004 financial planner of the year.

Specialisation: Cameron Walshe advisers are wealth management specialists providing holistic, tailored advice for wealth accumulation and retirement planning, by considering all aspects of a client’s needs and goals. Advice covers a broad range of investments, including direct equities and warrants. Advisers also have a strong focus on pre and post retirement planning, as well as self-managed super funds.

Target Market: Clients are successful business owners and executives aged 40 years plus seeking guidance with wealth-accumulation strategies and/or retirement planning advice.

Point of difference: Planners specialise in financial advice for family wealth transfer, including longevity-care strategies for ageing Australians. Its advisers and clients enjoy the flexibility and freedom of a boutique advice business, coupled with the strengths and stability of the Suncorp Group, with its resources for technology and compliance.

Brand management view: Cameron Walshe is a specialist dealership but doesn’t register on the awareness radar for most investors. Yet among the planning fraternity it is regarded as a largely independent boutique with a high calibre of professional advisers.