Meet Angus
If you haven't already met Angus - he is the Managing Director here at ACru Wealth.
Here's a quick interview to get to know him a little better:
* Describe yourself in 5 words:
- Grateful
- Resilient
- Adviser
- Rugby-tragic
- Inquisitive
* What is the most frequently asked question that you are asked by new clients?
I’d say the most commonly asked questions are about specific outcomes, such as can you help me buy a property, or set up a self-managed super fund for example. Even if the answer is yes, we always start by ascertaining the client goals and problems that need solving, otherwise there’s a real risk of prescribing before diagnosing!
* Tell us something that might surprise us about Financial Planning...
When done well, it is hugely rewarding both for advisers and also for clients. I think people would be surprised how much we can do – almost whatever the client circumstances, I think almost everyone could benefit from sound financial advice. For sure there are increased barriers to entry for clients – including costs (evidenced by the fact that less than 10% of Aussies get financial advice), but it’s not just for those with lots of money.
* Name one of your goals for 2022 - 2023 financial year?
For sure professionally it would include further supporting my excellent team here – the A-Cru! We’ve stabilised and brought two brands together as one, so building on that from within only serves to better equip and support our services to clients. Personally I’d love to take a family holiday too – I have two beautiful young children and like most of us with COVID it has been so long since we had a fun break together.
* How do you want to make your clients experience different to what they might expect from a meeting with a Financial Planner?
I think one thing we do well is speaking like a normal human being, not dazzling or confusing our clients with loads of technical language and industry jargon. That’s a priority for us. Another element I feel we do better than many advisers is to be very collaborative with our clients, it starts with clear goal setting at the outset, and being super transparent as to how we do things – our processes and costs, so there’s no nasty surprises for clients.
* When you aren’t working how do you most love to spend your time?
My absolute favourite is fun times with my wife Carly and our kids – I love when we do family outings to the beach, walking the dog in a beautiful bush setting, that sort of thing. Then my extended family are precious to me – my sister and her family, and my mum! So family gatherings and events make me happy. I’m a very social human, so no surprises maybe but I love hanging out with mates too – and a trip to the Rugby and a social hangout, or BBQ, are right up there for me among my favourite things to do.
* Top tip for New Financial Year:
Probably nothing wildly mysterious – just try to think more about setting solid patterns than trying to ‘hack’ the system – as they say with exercise, the best type is the one you’re going to keep doing. We help our clients decide which patterns support their priorities and goals, so they’re feeding enough to the right goals at the right times to make them achievable. If the best time to start was yesterday, the next best time is today!
