What to Expect

A long-term partnership built on strategy and a clear understanding of your needs, priorities and the complex financial decisions that arise as your life and circumstances evolve. We have designed a clear, six-step process to help you gain financial control, enjoy life with security, and retire on your terms.

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 for you.

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 exactly 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 pathway to achieve your lifestyle and financial goals.

Partnership

Our partnership will keep you on track to achieve your financial goals. If things change, we will adjust your plan as needed.

Happy Senior woman seeking advice from adviser

Financial peace of mind

We take a personal, long-term approach to financial and retirement planning. You’ll have a team that knows you, stays in touch, and is there when life changes.

Work, family and health can shift what you have and what you need. When they do, we help you make sense of the options and adjust your plan with clarity and confidence.

‘Later’ comes around quickly. Super, investing and retirement can feel big, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We start by getting clear on what matters to you, build a plan to match, and keep you on track with regular check-ins as life evolves.

Advice shaped by your life, not a formula

Most financial advice starts with a generic risk profile. You answer a few questions, the software assigns you a label, and your investment strategy is built around that. But those labels often ignore your life stage, goals and decisions. We start with what matters to you, what needs to be achieved, and how much flexibility you want along the way.

Even with a good income, manageable debt and steady savings, it’s normal to question whether it’s enough. At First Financial, relationships come first. We take the time to understand your full position and priorities. Because we’re not tied to institutional products or rigid models, we have the freedom to move quickly and make decisions based entirely on your needs.

It’s an ongoing process & partnership

The final stages of our six-step process, implementation and partnership, aren’t really the end at all. They’re where your financial journey begins. This is when everything we’ve planned together starts to come to life. Once you’re ready to move forward, your adviser and support team will guide you through each step with clear communication and complete transparency, so you know exactly where you stand and what’s happening next.

From here, the relationship continues and develops. Your adviser remains actively involved, staying informed about changes in your life and adapting your strategy as your circumstances evolve. Whether you’re navigating career changes, family milestones, or retirement transitions, we stay connected through regular reviews and ongoing communication.

“Even with a good income, manageable debt and steady savings, it’s normal to question whether it’s enough.”

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

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

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.”

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

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

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.”

Meet our advisers

Adela Ngai

Financial Adviser

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Brendan Smith

Financial Adviser

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David Howell

Financial Adviser

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Jackie Cook

Financial Adviser

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Roel Burghouwt

Financial Adviser

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Ryan Sgarioto

Financial Adviser

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during the discovery meeting?

The discovery meeting is an in-depth consultation where we get to know you, your lifestyle, financial goals and priorities. It’s a chance to ask questions, understand how we work, and decide if we’re the right fit to support your long-term plans.

What if my goals or circumstances change?

That’s why we view financial advice as an ongoing partnership. Your adviser will stay in touch and review your plan regularly, making recommendations and adjustments as your needs, market conditions or legislation change.

What kind of information will I need to provide?

To create an effective strategy, we’ll need details about your income, expenses, assets, debts, superannuation and insurance. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ll guide you through it and let you know what’s most important.

Is this process just about investing?

Investment advice is one part of a broader strategy. We also help with superannuation, insurance, cash flow, retirement planning and estate considerations – everything needed to support your financial life over time.

Ready to take the first step?

You can use the form below to make a general or initial enquiry.

You can also book a 15 minute call with an adviser by clicking the blue button below.

Ready to take the first step?

You can use the form on the right to make a general or initial enquiry.

You can also book a 15 minute call with an adviser by clicking the blue button below.

Here’s what to expect:

1. Tell us about yourself

Fill in your details and briefly let us know how we can help.

2. Prompt follow-up

We’ll reach out to schedule a time that suits you.

3. Meet your adviser

Enjoy an obligation-free initial meeting to discuss your goals and explore how we can guide you toward financial confidence.

Let’s start the conversation.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Level 9, 90 Collins Street,
Melbourne, VIC, 3000

Office Hours
Mon – Fri | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Get in touch with First Financial