People we work with...
While many people would benefit from Wealth Foundations’ service, we believe that it may prove most valuable to you if you have similar characteristics to our existing clients.
The following six profiles describe the types of people who currently enjoy our approach to wealth management and will continue to do so in the future. A supporting case study is also provided for each profile to demonstrate their typical financial concerns. It should be noted that for confidentiality reasons the case studies do not describe actual clients.
We hope the profiles and case studies provide you with some insight into who we are best placed to help.
Successful 40-50 Year Olds
'Make or break...'
Usually, one partner is moving towards or at the peak of a career, as an investment banker, respected medical specialist, senior partner/principal in a law, accounting or management consulting firm or high level business executive.
Generally, household income is more than $500,000 p.a., with a sizeable component of investment bankers’ and executives’ remuneration possibly provided as company shares and/or share options.
Any children are in or about to enter secondary school, most likely at private schools. One spouse may not be working, or may be doing a limited amount of work that does not currently contribute significantly to the couple’s total financial position.
The family’s lifestyle is very pleasant, with nice cars, overseas holidays, dining out – to some extent, it is seen as reward for a potential work/life imbalance.
The couple is likely to have a mortgage, put in place to finance a residence upgrade to cater for a growing family. There may also be a desire to extensively renovate to update the residence to cater for changing family needs.
While all outward appearances indicate “success”, there may be a feeling of not making a lot of financial progress – money appears to be going out as fast as it is coming in.
The “Dr Bill White and Dr Susan Green” case study illustrates the concerns felt by many people in this group.
“We are very happy with a very professional and friendly service. We like the “scientific” basis for the advice that is so different from that of most advisers. We have recommended Wealth Foundations to several friends and colleagues.”
Early 40’s, Managing Director of Australian subsidiary of a major international company
Reappraising 50-60 Year Olds
'A change in direction...'
These clients are most likely to have a major income earner who is a professional ( e.g. medical, legal, accounting, management consulting) or senior business executive that has gone as far as they want to go in a successful career. They are looking to wind down or transition to a less demanding and / or less time consuming role where their experience and skills can continue to be used.
Any children have finished or are close to finishing school, with most going to university – perhaps, some now have a degree of financial independence. A previously non-working partner may be returning to the work force but may not be contributing significantly to the family’s financial position.
The mortgage may be repaid or is at least at a very manageable level. The couple is likely to have a reasonable amount of superannuation and, perhaps, something of an unstructured investment portfolio outside superannuation.
Ongoing cash inflows exceed cash outflows, with no significant sizeable once-off lifestyle spending planned. There is an opportunity to maximise investment wealth accumulation. Business executives may have vesting shares / options that offer the prospect of significant gains.
The “David and Anne Black” case study provides some insights to typical issues faced by such clients.
“Wealth Foundations’ services are invaluable to our peace of mind with relation to our financial situation. The service is excellent, with the attention to detail really appreciated. We are always very pleased with the prompt response to any questions. In summary, Wealth Foundations always delivers.”
Anonymous client testimony
Immediate Pre-Retirement and Retirement
'Much better late than never...'
This group describes couples who have decided to retire or are already retired. They do not expect to receive any more exertion income and need to rely on accumulated investment wealth to meet their lifestyle aims. They are likely to have at least $3-4 million of investment wealth and own their residence outright.
Any children are now likely to be largely financially independent on a day-to-day basis but weddings, grandchildren and help to purchase property could require sizeable outlays.
The “Brian and Cynthia Grey” case study provides an example of a potential client who would greatly benefit from our service but, in an ideal world, would now be better placed had they addressed the issues they now confront earlier in life.
“I have total confidence that I am in good hands and there is good communication with me and my accountant.”
Anonymous client testimony
Independently Wealthy
'Handling wealth with wisdom...'
These clients have accumulated significant wealth. They have more than enough to meet their lifestyle needs, without the need to work but may still be working because they enjoy it. Typically, wealth may have come from the sale of a business, vested shares for a senior executive, an inheritance or a divorce settlement.
They may be any age and any family situation. Their defining characteristic is that they are looking for someone to help them use their wealth in a purposeful way, rather than simply invest their funds. They want to be strategic about utilisation of their wealth, but do not want to be consumed by the management of it. They are too busy enjoying other aspects of their lives.
The “Bruce and Beverly Teal” case study provides an example of a couple who would find Wealth Foundation’s service of considerable value.
“A great advantage of the Wealth Foundations’ process is the financial discipline it brings to your affairs. But the more important thing is that it provides the rationale for the discipline. Otherwise, you could just float along. Also, you consciously select the level of risk – it is a transparent approach. Even at the high risk levels, risk is taken in a sensible way.”
High net worth medical specialist
Female Divorcees or Widows
'Looking beyond the trauma...'
These clients are recently divorced or widowed, likely to own their own residence and have at least $2 million of other assets and / or earn at least $300,000 p.a. They are looking for help to plan their financial future and want a trusted sounding board.
They want to be able to get on with the rest of their lives, rather than having to get on top of personal finances, previously looked after by their former partner. However, it is absolutely critical that they are comfortable with their adviser.
The “Margaret Pink” case study describes the financial issues faced by a 55 year old divorcee.
“I feel I have an adviser I can totally trust, I feel there is a lot of depth of knowledge and care behind the advice I receive and, although I like to have some active involvement in my planning, I feel I don’t necessarily have to be watching what is happening all the time because my adviser will be doing that.”
Retired Divorcee