About
As an Independent Financial Advisor, I provide specialist financial advice for family business owners and private foundations, guiding my clients through their unique and complex wealth management issues. My expertise lies in providing the right financial education, structure, and support, with a focus on building strong professional networks to provide comprehensive, sustainable outcomes for my clients’ long-term wealth management.
Working in a family owned and operated business myself, I am passionate about helping my clients avoid the challenges involved with transitioning out of the business they have worked so hard to build, and remove the stress and anxiety that comes with being responsible for their family’s financial future.
Looking forward
As a founding member of the Profession of Independent Financial Advisers (PIFA), I’m committed to raising the bar for professional knowledge and standards in my profession. To me, gold-standard financial advice is based on a planner’s ability to look past their own financial Interests and provide strategies created entirely in the clients’ best interests. My focus is on my clients’ education and ongoing guidance in all financial matters relating to their family. I am also a member of Family Business Australia and remain committed to exploring the financial challenges that family business owners face.
Another of my passions is educating the next generation of Financial Planners. I’ve spent time teaching tomorrow’s Financial Planners at various Melbourne universities, including RMIT and La Trobe. This way, we can take comfort that the financial planners of the future are graduating with the integrity and understanding of what it means to be truly independent.
Articles by Joe
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Introducing our Three-Part Video Training Series
Introducing our Three-Part Video Training Series
By Joe Stephan
Activity
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We had a great week shooting print and motion footage for Resimax Group…Beautiful ad executions shot in excellent conditions with a superb…
We had a great week shooting print and motion footage for Resimax Group…Beautiful ad executions shot in excellent conditions with a superb…
Liked by Joe Stephan
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At People for Purpose we have the great privilege of spending hundreds of hours a year with those who lead and govern the great Australian charity…
At People for Purpose we have the great privilege of spending hundreds of hours a year with those who lead and govern the great Australian charity…
Liked by Joe Stephan
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With Apple’s decision to partner with OpenAI to enhance Siri and OpenAI's initiative to use Reddit, Inc. content to train ChatGPT, we are on the…
With Apple’s decision to partner with OpenAI to enhance Siri and OpenAI's initiative to use Reddit, Inc. content to train ChatGPT, we are on the…
Liked by Joe Stephan
Licenses & Certifications
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Certified Financial Planner TM
Financial Planning Association of Australia
Issued ExpiresCredential ID 331882
Publications
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Investment committees benefit all advice models
Professional Planner
See publicationAdviser groups of all sizes are finding that having an investment committee (IC) with at least one independent external member really pays off despite the costs.
I gave my opinion on why every financial adviser needs an IC, in this article by Professional Planner. -
Continuing the fee-for-service legacy
Professional Planner
See publication"We feel his guiding hand” - I share my story about how my brother and me continue the legacy our father began by charging a fee for advice to a small client base.
Read more in this article by Professional Planner. -
Road to Independence
Independent Financial Adviser
Scot Hodder's article on how we developed our business to be one of the few practices that can call itself truly independent
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Have you ever tried googling ‘independent financial advisor’?
ifa
See publicationGoogle estimates that every month around Australia 6,600 people on average are searching for an 'independent financial advisor'.
Check out this opinion piece, featured in ifa online. -
Cost of Living Survey shows Australians struggle with rising prices no matter what your income
News.Com.Au
Publication on the impact of cost of living pressures on families of all types.
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Younger advisers seek client soft skills
ifa
See publicationYoung advisers are increasingly seeking more support in the use of soft skills to develop relationships with clients, according to AstuteWheel.
I was quoted in this article by ifa. -
Today's Careers need work
Sydney Morning Herald - Muriel Reddy
Our advice on how to set yourself up financially to deal with Job loss. Check out my interview with Muriel Reddy.
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Australia defies global trend - for now
Money Management
On the 18th October I was interviewed by Freya Purnell from Money Management to discuss the way we construct our clients’ superannuation, pension and investment portfolios and why our investment philosophy is so credible.
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Like Father, like Sons
Financial Planning Magazine
An article about the contribution Magdy Stephan left financial planning and our desire to honour this legacy. Helpful information about our history.
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Seek Strength in Diversity
Daily Telegraph, Sydney
See publicationFOR as long as anyone can remember, we're told to never put your eggs in one basket.
Don't invest your life savings in a single venture and don't chance it all on just one punt.
Instead, it's better to spread your eggs over several baskets you might break a couple but at least you won't lose them all in one go.
Languages
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English
Native or bilingual proficiency
Organizations
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Financial Planning Association
Member & Certified Financial Planner™
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Independent Financial Advisors Association of Australia
Gold Standard of Independence™ Practising Member
- PresentTo qualify as an IFAAA Practising Member, advisers must satisfy these three criteria: No ownership links or affiliations with product manufacturers. Impartiality is impossible where an adviser has links to a product manufacturer. Ownership links create an environment where the adviser resembles, at best, a well-intentioned salesperson. No commissions or incentive payments from product manufacturers. Commissions are payments made by product manufacturers to their distribution network. They…
To qualify as an IFAAA Practising Member, advisers must satisfy these three criteria: No ownership links or affiliations with product manufacturers. Impartiality is impossible where an adviser has links to a product manufacturer. Ownership links create an environment where the adviser resembles, at best, a well-intentioned salesperson. No commissions or incentive payments from product manufacturers. Commissions are payments made by product manufacturers to their distribution network. They create a conflict of interest between advisers and their clients. No asset-based fees. Asset fees, although are authorised by the client, are calculated precisely the same way a commission is calculated. Asset fees are incentives that prevent an adviser from being impartial and therefore create a conflict of interest between adviser and client.
Recommendations received
5 people have recommended Joe
Join now to viewMore activity by Joe
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We’re moving to Mexico for the '24-'25 school year. And I have AI to thank for it. Our process: 1️⃣ Define goals and important details 2️⃣ Create…
We’re moving to Mexico for the '24-'25 school year. And I have AI to thank for it. Our process: 1️⃣ Define goals and important details 2️⃣ Create…
Liked by Joe Stephan
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Podcast shout out? Heard good things about 10% Happier pod with Dan Harris, what are your thoughts? Any other recommendations? #3hs #heartheadhumor…
Podcast shout out? Heard good things about 10% Happier pod with Dan Harris, what are your thoughts? Any other recommendations? #3hs #heartheadhumor…
Liked by Joe Stephan
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A good read on 'What to Consider When Selling Minority Stakes in Your Advisory Firm'. Of course, one approach would be to sell down a portion of the…
A good read on 'What to Consider When Selling Minority Stakes in Your Advisory Firm'. Of course, one approach would be to sell down a portion of the…
Liked by Joe Stephan
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✨ Make a difference for kids in foster care one pair of PJs at a time! Your support this National Pyjama Day will help fund Pyjama Angel mentors for…
✨ Make a difference for kids in foster care one pair of PJs at a time! Your support this National Pyjama Day will help fund Pyjama Angel mentors for…
Liked by Joe Stephan
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I am looking for a Lead Counsel to join me at the VGSO Police Advisory Branch. If you want interesting, challenging and meaningful work with the…
I am looking for a Lead Counsel to join me at the VGSO Police Advisory Branch. If you want interesting, challenging and meaningful work with the…
Liked by Joe Stephan
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Come volunteer with us in Port Moresby, and gain the knowledge and practical skills to deliver financial literacy training. The deadline is fast…
Come volunteer with us in Port Moresby, and gain the knowledge and practical skills to deliver financial literacy training. The deadline is fast…
Liked by Joe Stephan
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Best part of the year. I give 10% of my money to charities every year as part of my Giving What We Can 10% Pledge 🔸. It's the most important thing I…
Best part of the year. I give 10% of my money to charities every year as part of my Giving What We Can 10% Pledge 🔸. It's the most important thing I…
Liked by Joe Stephan
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