Financial
Roadmap
A clear, personalised path to your financial goals.
Chris Crough
Head of Advice
Chris joined First Financial at the very beginning of his career – in a role officially titled “trainee,” though he fondly recalls spending much of that time making coffee and filing papers. What stood out even then was his appetite for learning and his ability to grow alongside the business. Over the years, Chris has evolved into a trusted financial adviser and now head of advice, bringing a deep technical knowledge and a passion for helping clients achieve their goals.
With a strong background in superannuation and strategy, Chris prides himself on delivering advice that’s not only technically sound but tailored to what really matters – his clients’ lives. He values the long-term nature of financial advice, where relationships grow deeper over time.
Many of his clients have become friends, and he finds immense satisfaction in seeing their plans come to life – whether it’s a dream holiday, supporting their children, or retiring with peace of mind. Chris is a firm believer in First Financial’s culture, which he describes as more of a big family than a traditional financial firm.
Outside of work, Chris is a self-confessed adrenaline junkie. He’s passionate about motorbike racing and surfing, and dreams of escaping to the Mentawais—though he’d happily swap that for a romantic getaway to Paris or the South of France with his wife. His only real frustration? Melbourne traffic.
Chris’ qualifications include:
Certified Financial Planner®
Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning)
YOUR FINANCIAL JOUNEY
Building your financial future
Every client journey begins with a conversation. We look closely at where you are now, what matters to you, and what’s possible. Then we structure our advice to match.
Financial
Tax
Efficiency
Proactive strategies to maximise your tax savings.
Personalised
Investing
Tailored plans aligned with your goals and risk profile.
Ongoing
Support
Regular guidance to keep your plan on track.
CLIENT STORY
Graeme and Craig
Life Stage:
Retired and semi-retired
Background:
Referred by friends helped through aged care, Craig sought secure financial guidance after inheriting funds.
- Invest inheritance securely without high risk
- Maintain a modest lifestyle with confidence
- Building trust for someone new to advice
- Accessible, personalised advice
- Provided a low-risk strategy with regular income
- Reassured with steady, market-aware updates
- Established trust through responsiveness and warmth
- Delivered calm, expert support through all transitions
“We feel very secure with First Financial, the income just comes in, and we know everything is being looked after. It’s not just safe, it’s smart. We’ve recommended them to others because we genuinely believe in the team.”
CLIENT STORY
Larry and Virginia
Life Stage:
Newly retired
Background:
As retirement neared, Larry and Virginia were ready to enjoy travel, family, and freedom, without uncertainty. A friend recommended First Financial, and from the first meeting, they had a clear plan, a safety net, and people they trusted.
- Wanted to travel and enjoy retirement without second-guessing finances
- Needed a structured income plan with buffers for the unexpected
- Valued guidance that felt honest and human, not overcomplicated
- Needed people they could call and count on
- Created a reliable income stream with a set-aside safety net for the unexpected
- Gave them the freedom to travel and spend meaningfully with family
- Kept advice simple, thoughtful, and tailored to what mattered to them
- Built a lasting partnership based on trust
“We’ve travelled the world, Europe, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, without once stressing about the money. They made everything feel simple and gave us the confidence to live well. We feel secure because we know exactly where we stand, and that peace of mind means everything.”
CLIENT STORY
Lyn
Life Stage:
Retired widow
Background:
Lyn stepped into financial management for the first time after her husband's passing. With patience and care, First Financial supported her through grief, learning, and empowerment.
- Had never managed finances before
- Was overwhelmed after her husband’s passing
- Needed plain-English explanations and patience
- Sought emotional support and practical clarity
- Offered caring, respectful advice at her pace
- Rebuilt confidence with diagrams, stories, and reassurance
- Supported gradual decision-making around retirement
- Remained a trusted constant through major transitions
“After my husband passed, I was completely unsure where to start. First Financial gave me the space to learn, to ask questions, to grow confident. They drew a diagram that I still have. And now, I sleep well at night knowing I’ve got someone in my corner.”
CLIENT STORY
Jan
Life Stage:
Retired
Background:
Jan's husband managed the finances until entering aged care. Jan gradually stepped into the financial picture with First Financial’s support.
- Needed financial guidance after business sale
- Lacked experience managing complex finances
- Sought consistent income and long-term structure
- Wanted a familiar, reliable relationship
- Provided long-term support through several transitions
- Helped structure income reliably for retirement
- Empowered Jan through education and reassurance
- Delivered calm advice through both grief and growth
“The money just comes in. I don’t have to think about it. And I know they’re always there. They’ve always been there in the background, just quietly making things work.”
CLIENT STORY
John
Life Stage:
Retired business owner
Background:
After decades of running a successful pharmacy, John sought financial guidance to simplify decision-making and support long-term planning.
- Navigated the sale of a long-held business
- Wanted simple, honest advice after burnout
- Needed a hands-on adviser he could talk to
- Desired financial guidance aligned with lifestyle goals
- Crafted a strategy that supports relaxed, post-work life
- Offered approachable, plain-English advice
- Maintained an ongoing, trustworthy relationship
- Provided flexibility with investments and cash flow
“I feel genuinely supported by First Financial. I can ask anything, and there’s no pressure, just clear advice and real care. The money’s growing, I’m not stressed about it, and I feel completely at ease for the first time. I don’t miss work, but I’d miss the support I get from First Financial.”
CLIENT STORY
Tim and Adam
Life Stage:
Early retirement and working professional
Background:
When Tim received an overseas medical settlement, he and Adam had just 14 days left in a 90-day window. They needed clear guidance, fast. A referral led them to First Financial.
- Only two weeks left to meet urgent legal and financial deadlines
- Wanted to preserve capital while setting up income for the future
- Needed a plan that supported both retirement and ongoing work
- Hoped to find advice that felt personal, not transactional
- Managed every moving piece, from legal documents to super rollovers
- Designed a strategy that supported both Tim’s retirement and Adam’s career
- Offered clear guidance with steady follow-through, with no stress or pressure
- Built in ethical investing and flexibility, without sacrificing performance
“We’re in totally different life stages, but First Financial built a strategy that supports us both. From urgent legal steps to ethical investing, they handled every detail with calm, care, and real expertise. It’s financial freedom without compromise, and we couldn’t have done it without them.”
What to expect
Introductory Call
Your first contact with us is typically through a phone call. We aim to understand your needs early on, address any immediate questions, and make sure we’re the perfect match.
Discovery Meeting
This meeting will be more in-depth, allowing us to thoroughly understand your situation, financial goals, and priorities. We will clearly explain our fees, so you know what to expect.
Strategy
We’ll take the time to analyse, evaluate, and develop strategies to determine an effective path to achieve your goals and address your priorities.
Recommendations
We take the time to go through your tailored plan, in a simple, straightforward manner. Our goal is to provide clarity and confidence, so you can see a clear path forward.
Implementation
Following your approval, our team will proactively guide the process to implement your recommendations and set you on the path to achieve your lifestyle and financial goals.
Partnership
Our partnership keeps you on track with regular check-ins, clear updates, and next steps. When life changes, we review and adjust your plan so it stays aligned to what matters.