Financial Investment Adviser

Highly relevant tasks include:

• Interviewing prospective clients to determine financial status and objectives, discussing financial options and developing financial plans and investment strategies;
• Monitoring investment performance, and reviewing and revising investment plans based on modified needs and changes in markets;
• Recommending and arranging insurance cover for clients;
• Arranging to buy and sell stocks and bonds for clients;
• Advising on investment strategies, sources of funds and the distribution of earnings;
• Setting financial objectives, and developing and implementing strategies for achieving the financial objectives;
• May refer clients to other organisations to obtain services outlined in financial plans.

Additional tasks may include:

• Conducting risk profiling/assessments of clients in order to determine investment strategies;
• May provide advice on potential mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to clients;
• May provide advice on taxation, retirement and estate planning;
• In a corporate banking context, may advise on financing solutions/plans.

The terms ‘Financial Adviser’ and ‘Financial Planner’ are restricted in Australian law. 

Financial Investment Advisers generally provide advice to clients on the purchase and sale of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and market-related investments, typically in relation to superannuation and self-managed super funds (SMSFs). 

They meet with clients to discuss ways for them to better handle their financial investments. They research and analyse aspects of the economy such as trends in stock, bond and currency markets. They inform their clients about risk management and changes to taxes, laws or market environments that may affect the client’s investments. They may in some cases provide financial advice relating to risk and insurance.

Employment primarily focused on undertaking research and creating periodical reports on financial/investment trends or background issues is not considered highly relevant, nor is employment primarily focused on the sale of financial products without the development or implementation of financial plans or strategies.

Applicants would be expected to be managing a portfolio of clients, providing advice on, and promoting a range of financial products, including those from outside their organisation, have professional licensing in their country of employment or be working in an organisation licensed to provide advice. Any additional professional certificates, though not a requirement for skills assessment, would assist in determining the applicant’s skill level.

VETASSESS also receives a number of applications from Financial Investment Managers, an occupation we also assess. Applicants who invest and manage sums on of money on behalf of others over an agreed period of time in order to generate income and profit. This occupation is within the same Unit Group in ANZSCO. However, our skills assessment considers this as a separate occupation. A key indicator that a role is more suited to the Financial Investment Manager occupation is the lack of client relationships and the level and depth of tailored advisory provided to clients. Financial Investment Managers are mainly concerned with the implementation of an investment fund's investment strategy and managing its subsequent trading activities, on behalf of all the investors within their fund.

While the VETASSESS Skills Assessment for migration purposes is distinct from an assessment for licensing or registration purposes, applicants are advised to provide copies of relevant licences (including from overseas) if held.

If you are nominating this occupation, you may submit an organisational chart. An organisational chart should include the company letterhead, your job position and those of your superiors and subordinates as well as all positions reporting to your immediate supervisor and to your direct subordinates.

You should also provide details of any relevant training or professional development courses undertaken. These may be detailed in the Curriculum Vitae/Resume provided.