
Eleni Michael
Brisbane Business Manager, Financial Planner
I’ve always held an interest in finance. In fact when I was seven, I started to do my ‘books’ every night to track how much pocket money I had received and spent each week. In hindsight, a career in Financial Services seems particularly fitting.
Commencing in superannuation, I experienced firsthand the limitations of working in ‘generalist’ advice. It never felt like enough and always at odds with what people were truly seeking holistic and tailored advice geared to their personal goals. Moving into Financial Planning represented both a clear choice and natural progression.
For me, good advice is about taking the time to understand what a client seeks to achieve and in doing so identify roadblocks that have been present in the past. Knowing what questions to ask is crucially important to revealing what matters most and it will be different for every client.
The financial landscape has become increasingly complex and challenging and for this reason, I see my role as one of both coach and counsel, as I help my clients to navigate and understand this environment. I believe putting a clear and deliberate strategy in place – a plan that empowers them to make smart decisions as they look to grow and protect their wealth – is the key to improving long-term financial outcomes.
With so many options and varied opinion, overwhelm and inaction is often the by-product, so I love that moment where a client feels they have reached clarity and a sense of calmness comes over them – knowing they’re putting their ‘financial house’ in order. Being a part of this equation and watching their plan come to fruition as we track their progress is incredibly rewarding.
I currently hold a Bachelor of Business (Management), Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning a CFP certification – the highest financial planning designation worldwide, was awarded Self Managed Super Fund Specialist, Life Risk Specialist, am a Justice of the Peace and am a member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia. In 2012 and 2013 I was also named in Australia’s Top 50 Financial Advisers by the Australian Financial Review.