How to Choose a Financial Adviser: Does Location Still Matter?

Last Updated: September 22, 2026

When searching for a financial adviser, one of the first things people often type into Google is:

“Financial adviser near me.”

It makes sense. Traditionally, financial advice was something you discussed face-to-face in an office. Your adviser was usually located in the same suburb, city or region as you.

Technology has changed that.

Today, financial advice can often be provided through a combination of face-to-face meetings, video conferencing, telephone calls, secure digital document exchange and online investment and superannuation platforms.

This means geography may be less important than it once was.

The more important questions are:

For many clients, the right financial adviser may not be the one who has the closest office.

What Financial Advisers Do and How to Choose One

A financial adviser can help you make decisions about areas such as:

The advice you need will depend on your circumstances.

Someone approaching retirement may have very different needs from a business owner building wealth, a couple managing significant superannuation or someone who has recently sold a business.

This is why choosing an adviser based simply on location can be misleading.

A nearby adviser may not provide the type of advice you need, while an adviser located hundreds of kilometres away may be able to work with you effectively using modern technology.

Does Geography Matter for Financial Advice?

It can, but perhaps not in the way it once did.

Some clients prefer face-to-face meetings and want their adviser nearby. For those clients, location can be an important consideration.

Others are comfortable conducting meetings by Zoom or another video-conferencing platform and managing documents electronically.

Technology can make it possible to work with an adviser who is not in your local area without sacrificing regular communication.

For example, Veyron works with clients using a combination of:

This can make financial advice practical even when the adviser and client are not located in the same city.

The important question is not simply “How close is the adviser?” but “How effectively can we work together?”

A financial adviser reviews documents with a couple at a desk in a sunlit office.
A financial adviser reviews documents with a couple at a desk in a sunlit office.

Checking the ASIC Financial Advisers Register

Before engaging an adviser, check the ASIC Financial Advisers Register.

The register provides information about financial advisers, including their registration and authorisation details. ASIC requires relevant providers who provide personal advice to retail clients on relevant financial products to be registered, and the Financial Advisers Register provides a way to check an adviser’s details.

Look for:

Don’t rely solely on a Google search, online reviews or the adviser’s website.

Checking the register is an important part of doing your own due diligence.

General Advice and Personal Advice Are Different

It is important to understand the difference between general and personal financial advice.

General advice does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs.

Personal financial advice takes your individual circumstances into account when making recommendations.

Personal advice to retail clients is subject to additional legal obligations, including the best interests duty and related obligations. Where an SoA is required, it must be provided in accordance with the applicable requirements.

If an adviser is recommending a particular strategy or product, ask whether the information being provided is general advice or personal advice.

What Is a Statement of Advice?

A Statement of Advice, commonly called an SoA, is an important document used when personal financial advice is provided in circumstances where an SoA is required.

It explains the advice and the basis for the recommendations and includes relevant information about fees, remuneration and conflicts of interest. ASIC notes that the SoA is intended to help clients understand the advice they have received and make informed decisions.

An SoA should be relevant to your circumstances rather than simply being a generic document.

The important question isn’t how many pages it contains.

It is whether you understand:

If something is unclear, ask the adviser to explain it.

Financial Adviser Fees in Australia: How You Pay

Financial advice can be charged in different ways.

Depending on the advice and the arrangement, fees may include:

Fee structure How it works
Fixed fee A specified fee for a defined scope of advice
Ongoing fee A fee for agreed ongoing advice and services
Percentage-based fee A fee calculated by reference to an agreed percentage or other basis
Other permitted arrangements Depending on the advice and circumstances

The important issue is not simply the fee percentage.

You should understand:

What am I paying?

What services am I receiving?

How is the fee calculated?

How often will I pay it?

How can the arrangement be ended?

Veyron operates on a fee-for-service basis. The appropriate fee depends on the scope and complexity of the advice required.

Ongoing Advice Fees

If you enter into an ongoing fee arrangement, there are specific requirements governing the arrangement and the client’s consent.

Since 10 January 2025, the rules for ongoing fee arrangements have changed. Advisers must obtain written consent to enter into or renew an ongoing fee arrangement and written consent relating to the deduction of ongoing fees, subject to the applicable rules. ASIC also requires specified information to be provided to clients before the relevant consent is obtained.

This is one reason it is important to understand the ongoing service you are paying for rather than simply focusing on the headline fee.

Ask:

How to Compare Two Financial Advisers

Comparing advisers isn’t simply about comparing fees.

Consider the following:

1. Scope of advice

Does the adviser deal with the areas you actually need help with?

2. Experience

Does the adviser regularly work with people in circumstances similar to yours?

3. Advice philosophy

Does the adviser explain the reasoning behind their recommendations?

4. Fees

Are the fees clear and understandable?

5. Communication

How will you communicate?

Face-to-face?

Zoom?

Telephone?

Email?

A combination?

6. Technology

Can the adviser work efficiently with your superannuation, investment and other financial information digitally?

7. Accessibility

How easy is it to contact the adviser when you need help?

8. Independence and conflicts

Ask how the adviser and their business are remunerated and whether any relationships or arrangements could influence the advice.

9. Personal fit

You are likely to discuss significant financial decisions with your adviser.

You should feel comfortable asking questions and challenging recommendations.

Why Technology Can Make Geography Less Important

Technology has fundamentally changed how financial advice can be delivered.

A client in Brisbane can have a video meeting with an adviser in Sydney.

A couple travelling overseas can attend a review meeting without returning to Australia.

A business owner can meet with their adviser between meetings with their accountant.

Documents can be exchanged and signed electronically.

Investment and superannuation information can be accessed digitally.

This can make advice more convenient without necessarily reducing the quality of the relationship.

But Technology Doesn’t Replace the Relationship

Technology is useful, but financial advice is still fundamentally about people.

A video meeting is not a substitute for understanding your circumstances.

The adviser needs to understand what you are trying to achieve, the decisions you are facing and the trade-offs involved.

For some clients, face-to-face meetings remain important.

For others, spending an hour travelling to an office simply to have a meeting that could be conducted by video adds little value.

The right balance depends on the client.

How to Prepare for a Financial Planning Meeting

Whether your meeting is face-to-face or online, preparation can make it more productive.

Consider having available:

Most importantly, think about what you want your money to achieve.

For example:

“I want to retire at 60.”

is a useful starting point.

But:

“I want to retire at 60, travel for several months each year and know that my money will last throughout retirement.”

provides much more context for a financial planning discussion.

Red Flags to Consider When Choosing a Financial Adviser

Location should not be the only consideration — and neither should a polished website.

Be cautious if an adviser:

No single issue necessarily tells you everything about an adviser.

The objective is to gather enough information to make an informed decision about whether the adviser is appropriate for you.

How to Vet an Adviser Before You Commit

A practical process is:

Step 1 — Check the ASIC register

Confirm the adviser and their registration details.

Step 2 — Understand their service

Ask what areas of financial planning they advise on.

Step 3 — Understand the fees

Ask for the cost in dollars and understand what is included.

Step 4 — Understand how advice is delivered

Ask whether meetings are face-to-face, online or a combination.

Step 5 — Ask about technology

Find out how documents, investment information and communication are managed.

Step 6 — Ask about experience

Ask whether they regularly work with clients with circumstances similar to yours.

Step 7 — Meet the adviser

Use the initial meeting to decide whether you are comfortable with their communication style and approach.

Step 8 — Take your time

You don’t have to engage an adviser simply because you attended an initial meeting.

Switching From an Existing Financial Adviser

If you already have an adviser and are considering a change, location may be one reason — but it isn’t the only one.

You might be considering a change because:

A new adviser may be able to review your existing arrangements and explain what they would recommend, subject to the scope of the engagement.

You are not required to choose an adviser simply because they are nearby.

What Matters More Than Location?

When choosing a financial adviser, consider the following hierarchy:

1. Appropriate authorisation and qualifications

2. Relevant experience

3. The scope and quality of the advice

4. Clear and transparent fees

5. Communication and accessibility

6. Technology and service delivery

7. Personal fit

8. Location

For some people, location may move higher up the list. If you strongly prefer face-to-face meetings, having an adviser nearby can be important.

For others, technology means location may be relatively unimportant.

The key is to choose an arrangement that works for you.

Why Clients Choose Veyron

Veyron works with clients who want financial advice that is practical, understandable and focused on their broader financial position.

Our advice can cover areas including:

We use technology to make the advice process easier for clients who are not located close to our office.

That means you can choose to meet with us:

For many clients, this provides the flexibility of working with an adviser who suits their needs rather than restricting the choice to advisers within a few kilometres of home.

Technology Has Changed What “Near Me” Means

The question used to be:

“Which financial adviser is closest to me?”

Today, a better question may be:

“Which financial adviser is right for my circumstances, and can we work together effectively?”

Geography still matters for some people.

But technology means it no longer has to be the deciding factor.

At Veyron, our focus is on helping clients make informed financial decisions through practical, fee-for-service financial planning.

Boring money. Exciting life.

If you would like to discuss your financial circumstances and whether Veyron’s advice services may be appropriate for you, you can arrange a

Free initial consultation.

General information only:

This article is intended to provide general information and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It should not be relied upon as personal financial advice. Consider whether the information is appropriate for your circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a normal fee for a financial adviser?

There is no single “normal” fee for financial advice. The cost depends on the complexity of your circumstances, the scope of advice required and the services you receive.

Advisers may charge:

  • A fixed fee for a defined scope of advice
  • An ongoing fee for agreed ongoing advice services
  • An hourly or time-based fee
  • A percentage-based fee in arrangements where this is appropriate and permitted

For example, the cost of preparing an initial Statement of Advice may be different for someone with straightforward superannuation and investments compared with a business owner approaching retirement with multiple assets, debts and business interests.

When comparing advisers, don’t compare the fee alone. Ask:

  • What advice is included?
  • What will the initial advice cost?
  • Is there an ongoing fee?
  • What services are included in the ongoing arrangement?
  • How is the fee calculated?
  • Are there additional platform or investment costs?
  • How can the ongoing arrangement be ended?

Veyron provides fee-for-service financial advice, with fees based on the scope and complexity of the advice required.

Do banks offer free financial advisers?

Banks and other financial institutions may provide general information, financial education or access to financial advice services.

However, it is important to understand the difference between general information, general advice and personal financial advice.

Personal financial advice takes your individual circumstances into account and may involve a fee. A free initial consultation, where offered, does not necessarily mean the subsequent advice is free.

Before proceeding, ask:

  • Is this general or personal advice?
  • What areas of advice can you provide?
  • What will the advice cost?
  • How is the adviser and business remunerated?
  • Are there any products or services that the adviser is limited to recommending?

The fact that an initial conversation is free does not, by itself, indicate whether the advice is suitable or whether the overall service represents good value.

How do I verify if a financial adviser is registered with ASIC?

You can check the ASIC Financial Advisers Register before engaging an adviser.

The register provides information about relevant financial advisers, including their registration details, qualifications and the licensee they operate under.

Search for the adviser by name and check that the information is current.

You can also ask an adviser for their registration details before your first meeting and use the register as part of your own due diligence.

Checking the register is only one part of choosing an adviser. You should also consider whether the adviser’s experience, areas of advice, fees, service model and approach are appropriate for your circumstances.

What is the difference between general and personal financial advice?

General advice does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs.

Personal financial advice takes your individual circumstances into account when making recommendations.

For example, an article explaining the general benefits and risks of contributing to superannuation may be general information or general advice. Recommending a particular contribution strategy after considering your income, superannuation balance, contribution history, objectives and circumstances would potentially constitute personal advice.

Personal advice to retail clients is subject to additional legal obligations. Where a Statement of Advice is required, the adviser must provide it in accordance with the applicable requirements. Not every instance of personal advice necessarily requires an SoA, because there are specific exceptions and circumstances under the law.

If you want advice about what you should do with your superannuation, investments, retirement savings, insurance or other financial arrangements, the important question is whether the adviser is providing advice that takes your personal circumstances into account.

Does my financial adviser need to be located near me?

Not necessarily.

Technology has changed the way financial advice can be delivered. Depending on your preference, meetings can be conducted face-to-face, by video, by telephone or through a combination of these methods.

This means you don’t necessarily need to choose an adviser simply because their office is close to your home.

For some clients, face-to-face meetings are important. For others, the convenience of video meetings and digital document management makes geography much less important.

When choosing an adviser, consider whether they have the experience, service model, communication style and technology to work effectively with you.

At Veyron, technology allows us to work with clients who are not located immediately nearby while still maintaining regular communication and personal interaction.

How should I compare two financial advisers?

Don’t compare advisers based solely on their fees or how close their office is.

Consider:

  1. Experience — Do they regularly work with clients in circumstances similar to yours?
  2. Scope of advice — Can they advise on the areas you need?
  3. Advice approach — Do they explain the reasoning behind their recommendations?
  4. Fees — Are the costs clear and understandable?
  5. Communication — How often will you communicate and how?
  6. Technology — Can the advice process be managed efficiently online if required?
  7. Ongoing service — What will you receive after the initial advice?
  8. Personal fit — Are you comfortable asking questions and discussing your financial circumstances?

The cheapest adviser or the adviser closest to you isn’t necessarily the appropriate adviser for your circumstances.

Likewise, a more expensive adviser isn’t automatically better.

The objective is to understand what you are paying for and whether the service is appropriate for your needs.

Can I work with Veyron if I don’t live nearby?

Yes. Technology means Veyron can work with clients who are not located close to our office.

Depending on your circumstances and preferences, meetings can be conducted by video, telephone or face-to-face.

Documents can also be exchanged and signed electronically, making the advice process more convenient.

For clients who value face-to-face meetings, these can still be arranged where practical.

Technology doesn’t replace the adviser-client relationship — it simply gives clients more flexibility in how that relationship works.

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