FAQ
Who are you and how long have you been in business?
Thomas Cardwell & Associates is a subsidiary of the Australian Consolidated Planning and Insurance (CPI) Group Pty Limited – ABN 45 114 779 467 | AFSL 522418 which was formed by managing director Lloyd Thomas and a group of local financial advisers in 2005. (Lloyd Thomas is an Authorised Representative of Australian CPI Group Pty Ltd).
If I’m investing, how much do I need to get started?
Our minimum investment amount for basic, ordinary money investments is $2,000 which allows us to create at least some diversification.
I don’t have much in super, what is the smallest balance you work with?
At Thomas Cardwell we believe that people with small to medium size super balances are generally the people who can benefit the most from our help so low balance holders are more than welcome.
Can I access global markets?
Yes, all of the platforms we use provide international exposure indeed this is key to a well-diversified portfolio.
What are your fees? We have three different fee structures available:-
- Fee for Service – this is where we assess the work being undertaken and determine a fixed dollar amount that you’re comfortable with, upfront. This is typically used by investors who are interested in more specific strategies. Can be paid separately or deducted from the asset value.
- Asset Based Percentage – this is a percentage that we agree upon based on the value of your investment. It is generally used for account values under $200,000 and can be deducted from the account balance.
- Hourly Rate – sometimes people simply want our opinion on a particular investment or just want some qualified information before making investment decisions for themselves without becoming a client. While this is limited to generic advice it can be very helpful in cutting down research time.
- The fee structures are flexible and can be split, combined or altered as your needs change.
Who controls my money?
You do! You always remain the beneficial owner and only you as the account owner or your nominated trustee can provide instructions to us.
Do I have access to my account?
Yes of course! Once your account/s are set up you will be issued online access codes. You also have the capacity to call directly through to the investment platform at all times.
With insurance, if I have a claim what happens?
If you’ve suffered an event that triggers a claim the last thing you want to worry about is paperwork. Notify us of your situation and we’ll take it from there.
If it takes a week to walk a fortnight, how many apples are there in a cookie jar?
Typically there are 5 but if the fortnight takes a week to walk then there could be as many as a bakers dozen.
