Our Process

The path to financial confidence starts with your complimentary initial consultation with our financial adviser. Your free one hour consultation can be held in one of our many offices across Melbourne or through Skype or over the phone, its completely up to you. It’s an opportunity for you to ask questions about our experience, qualifications, testimonials and talk informally about your goals and ambitions aswell as giving you the chance to get to know the adviser.

If at the initial meeting we both agree there is a sound basis to proceed we will outline the scope of our advice and our fees. A Fee Engagement will be provided to you for your agreement before any advice is provided. No fee will be charged without your prior approval in writing.

Once our service enagement has been agreed on your Financial Adviser will then go away and perform in depth research and analysis in order to formulate suitable strategies that will allow you to achieve all your desired financial goals and objectives.

The end result will be a personalised Financial Plan that will be clearly outlined in your Statement of Advice.

Start getting the support you need and book a consultation with one of our team members today. Call us on (03) 9792 1506 or make an enquiry via email at esteban@oakwoodwealth.com.au and one of our staff will get back to you as soon as possible.

Our Team

Esteban Garzon

Senior Financial Adviser

Esteban Garzon is the founder and head Financial Adviser at Oakwood Wealth Management. Esteban has spent the last decade working in the Finance industry. During this time he has gathered a plethora of knowledge and experience that allows him to offer tailored financial solutions to clients all over Australia.

Esteban has an Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning and is SMSF accredited. He also holds a Diploma in Business Management as well as a Cert IV in Mortgage Broking.

Esteban has a passion for Investment markets and has built his experience dealing with complex financial instruments over the last decade. Esteban stands for the delivery of a completely flexible and ethical financial management service, which will provide solutions for his clients on the basis of a thorough analysis of their needs and long term approach to their financial planning.

On his spare time, he likes to spend time with his wife, young daughter and dog. He is die-hard Essendon supporter and he can be found at the MCG most weekends supporting the team.

Teresa Ly

Administration Manager

Teresa Ly is our Administration Manager, her attention to detail in the everyday running of our office coupled with over 10 years of customer service experience makes Teresa invaluable.

Teresa is responsible for planning and coordinating administrative procedures and systems. She takes extra pride in dealing with all client enquirers and is not content until the client is 100% satisfied.

In her spare time, Teresa likes to spend time with her young family and maintain a healthy lifestyle comprising of healthy eating and exercise.

Holistic Financial Planning

At Oakwood Wealth Management we understand the value of creating a holistic customised plan that is tailored to your unique financial goals. Your portfolio is only one piece of the puzzle, we help you make sense of the other important issues that life can throw at you to design and implement a life plan that will help to get you where you want to go.

Together, we will develop a holistic financial plan customised for your life that let you live more confidently today and tomorrow.

All though we are based in Melbourne we service clients in any part of Australia so get in touch to find out how we can help you achieve your financial goals and objectives.

Our Holistic Financial Planning service includes a comprehensive financial plan providing optimization strategies covering all of the following areas:

• Cash flow and debt management including allocation of projected surpluses
• Tax planning, including strategy development for salary sacrificing, contribution splitting and investment management
• Retirement planning
• Investment planning: strategy and review
• Risk management and insurance (sufficiency of risk coverage plus review of product options)
• Estate planning including tax planning at death and review of wills and powers of attorney
• Capital needs and special commitments: education funding, business interests, second property purchase, charitable gifts, etc.

After completing the plan, we:

• Develop a detailed time sensitive Action Plan (what should be done, by whom, by what date, for what financial result) and
• Assist with ongoing implementation of Action Plan to the extent agreed upon by you

Start getting the support you need and book a consultation with one of our team members today. Call us on (03) 9792 1506 or make an enquiry via email at esteban@oakwoodwealth.com.au and one of our staff will get back to you as soon as possible.

Investment Planning & Strategy

After completing a detailed review, analysis and determining a strategic asset allocation model, we will then recommend specific investments and implement the various investment strategies. We provide ongoing investment advice, including detailed reporting, portfolio rebalancing, and periodic review meetings.

When you’re looking to make the wisest investment decisions, we’ll help you confidently understand your portfolio preferences, short and long term options and the strategies best suited to you and your family. From portfolio assessment, ETF portfolios, portfolio manager searches, and all the nitty gritties in between, we’ll apply our know-how to your distinct circumstances for investment advice you can feel great about.

Markets are global and changing all the time. It is difficult for an unqualified person to understand the benefits of tax-effective savings and super contributions, never mind how to invest in managed or listed funds. This is where a qualified Financial Planner will help you personalise a plan that will see you transition from now into your retirement.

All though we are based in Melbourne we service clients in any part of Australia so get in touch to find out how we can help you achieve your financial goals and objectives.

An initial portfolio assessment can be as general or as detailed as you wish. Some things we consider:

• Your investment knowledge, experience, and goals
• Your future cash flow requirements and investment time horizons
• The level of risk or volatility you’re comfortable with
• The rate of return required to reach your financial objectives
• The types and proportions of investments you wish to own
• Your desired degree of involvement in managing your portfolio
• The costs associated with your portfolio
• Your portfolio’s past performance relative to your required rate of return, appropriate composite index, and performance of other managers with similar investment mandates

Start getting the support you need and book a consultation with one of our team members today. Call us on (03) 9792 1506 or make an enquiry via email at esteban@oakwoodwealth.com.au and one of our staff will get back to you as soon as possible.

Superannuation

Superannuation is a way to save for your retirement. You build up super while you are working to make sure you can have a comfortable retirement. Retirement may seem like a long way off, but the earlier you take control of your superannuation the better off you will be at retirement.

Super receives special tax treatment compared to your other money. When it comes to investing over the long term, there aren’t many better tax-effective ways to save for your retirement than through Super. Lower tax rate and more investment options – such as local and international shares, property and fixed interest investments – gives your money more potential to grow.

Both you and your employer can deposit money into your account by the way of a contribution. Caution needs to be taken when determining how much money will be invested in any given year as there are Contribution caps that need to be adhered to. This is where carefully structured Financial Planning can help you manage the legal requirements that govern the Superannuation industry.

All though we are based in Melbourne we service clients in any part of Australia so get in touch to find out how we can help you achieve your financial goals and objectives.

The team at Oakwood Wealth Management can help you understand, grow and manage your superannuation, we can help you:

• Consolidate multiple super funds and allow you to save on fees
• Identify investment options tailored to your goals that suit your risk profile
• Plan your concessional and non-concessional contributions to super
• Identify strategies to help boost your superannuation
• Set up a salary sacrifice strategy
• Understand your insurance options within superannuation
• Have the correct beneficiary nominations in place
• Determine whether a self-managed super fund (SMSF) is right for you

Self-Managed Superannuation Fund

At Oakwood Wealth Management Financial Services we can provide for all your Self Managed Super funds needs. We can help you manage the complex legislative requirement to run you own SMSF.

A self managed super fund (SMSF) offers greater flexibility and control compared to public offer funds. By establishing your own SMSF, you can also take advantage of the tax-effective superannuation environment. For these reasons, more and more people are attracted to the benefits of managing their own fund. Self managed super is now the largest and fastest growing superannuation segment in Australia. We can assist you to achieve your lifestyle and financial goals for both current and future generations. We can advise you on the suitability of an SMSF and develop personalised advice that's right for you.

Benefits of an SMSF

• Every SMSF is unique, however, each SMSF will share some of the following key benefits:
• Control to make decisions regarding how and where to invest your funds.
• Flexibility to personalise and alter your investment strategy at any time.
• Ability to pool member funds together, opening up more investment options.
• Large investment choice including direct shares, separately managed accounts, residential or commercial property, alternative assets, term deposits and cash.
• Borrow to invest through the fund to open up new investment opportunities.
• Potential to minimise or eliminate income and capital gains tax.
• Maximise taxation benefits through imputation credits.
• Achieve cost efficiencies for large accounts.
• Pre-retirement strategy optimisation.
• Flexibility to hold and fund your personal or business risk insurance.
• Family and estate planning benefits.
• A vehicle for intergenerational wealth transfer.
• Family and estate planning benefits.
• A vehicle for intergenerational wealth transfer.
• Asset protection from creditors.

Start getting the support you need and book a consultation with one of our team members today. Call us on (03) 9792 1506 or make an enquiry via email at esteban@oakwoodwealth.com.au and one of our staff will get back to you as soon as possible.

Personal Insurance

How much insurance do you really need? Your personal property and liability risks are as distinct as you are. We’ll analyse them all and incorporate them into a financial plan to find where you are over – or underinsured, so in the end, you can be sure you’re effectively covered in the ways that matter most.

Oakwood Wealth Management can provide you with expert advice in all aspects of: Life, Total and Permanent Disability, Income Protection, Trauma and Business Insurance. Not been restricted to or aligned with any product providers allows our Financial Adviser to implement the most appropriate and adequate insurance products for our clients all of the time.

All though we are based in Melbourne we service clients in any part of Australia so get in touch to find out how we can help you achieve your financial goals and objectives.

Risk management is the process of:

• Identifying your risks
• Assessing the probability of those risks occurring
• Assessing the impact if the risks occur
• Minimizing the occurrence of perils
• Protecting against the consequences of loss

Together, we will:

• Discuss your personal, property, and liability risks
• Analyze the probability and impact of potential losses
• Determine the amount, duration, and risks that should be insured
• Assess all of your life insurance needs (survivors’ needs, estate liquidity, estate value enhancement)
• Assess your living benefit insurance needs (disability, income protection, critical illness and long-term care)
• Analyze and consider insurance product alternatives

Start getting the support you need and book a consultation with one of our team members today. Call us on (03) 9792 1506 or make an enquiry via email at esteban@oakwoodwealth.com.au and one of our staff will get back to you as soon as possible.

Retirement Planning & Projections

It's never too early — or too late — to start planning for a more comfortable retirement​

With retirement in sight, the time has come to revisit and focus your financial planning activity. The objective of the retirement financial plan is to ensure that your assets and pension income will be sufficient to meet your retirement lifestyle needs. Tax efficiency and portfolio restructuring are also critical components to a successful retirement plan.​

Our Financial Adviser has expert knowledge in retirement planning strategies which can help you achieve your retirement goals and needs.

If you are still some years away from retirement we can provide you with detailed projections on what you can expect to achieve when you do reach your golden years. Projections can be used as a crystal ball into the future and allow you to put measures in place if your goals and aspirations in retirement are a little out of reach.

Aspects of retirement planning that will be taken into consideration

• Superannuation balance
• Cash flow
• Required income
• Required lump sums
• Tax
• Centrelink

Start getting the support you need and book a consultation with one of our team members today. Call us on (03) 9792 1506 or make an enquiry via email at esteban@oakwoodwealth.com.au and one of our staff will get back to you as soon as possible.

Estate Planning

Estate planning is about ensuring your family are well looked after once you're gone and that your assets are handed down according to your wishes.

Oakwood Wealth Management's Financial Adviser will help you take an overview of your assets, consider how they're structured and how you'd like them to be distributed after you die.

All though we are based in Melbourne we service clients in any part of Australia so get in touch to find out how we can help you achieve your financial goals and objectives.

A comprehensive estate plan addresses issues such as:

• Probate fees
• Wills
• Power of Attorney
• Income taxes
• Life insurance
• Beneficiary designations
• Estate management issues
• Trusts or gifting strategies

We will work in tandem with your legal advisers to ensure that your estate plan meets all of your legacy objectives.

Start getting the support you need and book a consultation with one of our team members today. Call us on (03) 9792 1506 or make an enquiry via email at esteban@oakwoodwealth.com.au and one of our staff will get back to you as soon as possible.

Cashflow & Debt Management

The most important step to financial freedom is to have complete understanding and control of your cashflow. Many people leave this until it's too late in life. Not being able to manage your cashflow and debts can lead to stress and anxiety in your personal relationships that could be well avoided if only you had a good financial plan in place.

Effectively managing your debt and cashflow can have a significant impact on your overall financial health. We firmly believe that developing and maintaining the right financial habits is necessary in reaching your goals as minimising debt and managing cashflow is the basis of long term wealth creation strategies.

At Oakwood Wealth Management, we can assist you to become more financially successful through:

• Reviewing your spending patterns, financial commitments and debts
• Identifying your long-term financial goals and target timeframes to achieve them
• Assisting to set clear, simple and easily attainable goals
• Creating plans to pay off debts whether it is the mortgage, credit cards or HELP debts
• Recommending savings plans or investment strategies to achieve your goals
• Providing advice on appropriate insurances to protect your assets and financial position

Start getting the support you need and book a consultation with one of our team members today. Call us on (03) 9792 1506 or make an enquiry via email at esteban@oakwoodwealth.com.au and one of our staff will get back to you as soon as possible.

Taxation Advice

The implementation of effective tax strategies is an integral part of the financial planning process. Structuring the way in which you receive your salary, superannuation contributions, investments, risk and debt management can significantly minimise your tax implications and are an essential component of your wealth creation and retirement strategy.

At Oakwood Wealth Management, we want you to accomplish your financial objectives in the most tax-efficient manner as other aspects of your financial plan become easier to implement when your tax liability is minimised.

Our strategies are tested, proven and successful. We offer a broad range of taxation advisory services including:

• Tax minimisation
• Capital Gains Tax (CGT) management
• Superannuation contributions & Retirement planning
• Salary Packaging plan
• Tax paid investments

There are numerous tax effective financial planning strategies that may be appropriate for your circumstances and enhance your tax, retirement and wealth objectives.

Start getting the support you need and book a consultation with one of our team members today. Call us on (03) 9792 1506 or make an enquiry via email at esteban@oakwoodwealth.com.au and one of our staff will get back to you as soon as possible.

Implementation of Advice

We make an estimation of the time it will take to implement our recommendations. Our hourly rate is calculated @ $150 + GST for senior office staff (minimum 5 years experience) and $300 + GST for senior financial planning staff. Our implementation fee is to offset business costs only.

Ongoing Service Program

The investment strategy and recommendations outlined in your financial plan have been based on your current circumstances and your financial goals and objectives. We have also taken into consideration a number of other factors, including:

• the economic environment and state of the financial markets;
• government monetary and fiscal policies;
• current legislation;
• your tax position; and
• investment sector and fund manager performance.

All of these variables change over time and this can have a significant impact on the continued suitability of your investment portfolio as recommended in your financial plan. We are committed to monitoring your investments and, as such, we provide different ongoing service levels that can be tailored to your circumstances. An important aspect of our ongoing service options are the periodic reviews.

Financial plans are best reviewed regularly to ensure they continue to meet your objectives in the face of your changing circumstances and changes in the external market environment. Reviews are scheduled either 6 monthly, annually or 18 monthly with additional meetings on request or as required. You can choose which is right for you.

The ongoing service and frequency of reviews we recommend and offer is predicated by the complexity of your financial structures.

Superannuation and investment reviews include the following basic components:

• Economic updates
• Account Statements
• Portfolio reporting
• Portfolio review with investment evaluation and asset allocation reports including a Record of Advice for any recommended changes
• Review meeting
• Review fee disclosure
• Offer of additional services

Reviews on smaller portfolios can be conducted via post, email or phone discussions. They do not have to be face to face. We also offer Zoom meetings where appropriate or more convenient.

• Our fee for a Basic ongoing service is $550.00 pa (recommended for investments up to $100,000)
• Our fee for a Full ongoing service is 1.1% of investment amount (capped at $3,850 pa)

Insurance Advice Service & Fee

A well-constructed life insurance portfolio should cover Death, Total and Permanent Disability, Income Protection & Trauma. Cover is essential for everyone with financial responsibilities. Adequate insurance is the foundation of every well-constructed financial plan and no insurance or underinsurance does result in catastrophic financial outcomes.

Life Insurance Advice Fee, Implementation & Reviews

Advice:

Depending on the complexity of the insurance advice required our Statement of Advice Fee can range from $900 + GST to $2,500 + GST.

Initial and Renewal commissions are fully disclosed in $ & % terms in your Statement of Advice.

Implementation:

We do not charge an implementation fee as commissions are paid by respective Life Offices and incorporated into the premium (i.e. Commissions are not an additional charge to you and reimburse us for the significant time involved in providing & implementing our recommendations for you).

Review Fee:

Renewal commission paid by the Life Offices is incorporated into the premium and covers our review fee.

Commission Structure:
As your adviser we can select from 2 brokerage options (your premium remains the same irrespective):

• Upfront commission - Up to 70% + GST of 1st years premium and 20% + GST of annual premiums thereafter; or
• Level commission - 20% +GST or 30% + GST of the 1st years premium and every following year.

Comment:

The higher the commission as a percentage in the 1st year the lower the commission as a percentage is in the following years. The higher the Commission is in subsequent years the greater the value you have as a client of the firm and the greater level of service you will receive. Renewal commissions paid in subsequent years allows us to review your insurance portfolio without you paying us a fee to do so.

Reviews:

It is appropriate that all insurance is reviewed at least every 2 years, or earlier as circumstances dictate. Life Insurance is a very competitive market and offerings by different Life Office's deserve consideration:

• Not all Life Office's pass on all policy upgrades to their existing clients;
• Some Life Offices reduce their rates with better claims experience or increased market share (and some increase);
• At a company level we also pay close attention to administration standards and claims experience with the companies we have recommended.

In additional the review service we offer includes the following:

1. Comparative analysis of the competitiveness of your current cover with:
   • Premiums;
   • Benefits; and
   • Product ratings
2. Review changed circumstances to the appropriateness of your existing cover:

Some examples:

• An addition to the family is an increased financial responsibility
• An increase in pay should prompt an increase in your income protection cover
• Ensuring sufficient cover to cancel mortgage in the event of a premature death or disability
• Moving to a new employer who offers insurance benefits as part of your package needs to be considered with existing personal cover levels etc.

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