The Solace Financial Team outside Solice Financial House in Brisbane

Financial Planners For Business Owners & Entrepreneurs

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Solace Financial specialises in helping business owners cultivate personal wealth while nurturing the businesses they’ve dedicated years to building. Many entrepreneurs unintentionally rely solely on their business as a retirement plan, placing significant financial risk on just one asset. As an independent firm with our own Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), we ensure our advice serves your best interests, free from the influence of banks or product providers. If you’re interested in understanding your financial situation better, we offer an initial consultation at no cost and with no obligation.

Why business owners need a financial planner who understands business ownership

Many business owners are diligent when it comes to reinvesting in their companies, but often neglect their personal financial health. Earnings frequently go toward purchasing new equipment or hiring additional staff, while personal savings and investments are pushed aside. Retirement savings, personal investments, insurance, and emergency funds are often postponed year after year. As retirement approaches, the business often emerges as the primary asset, leading to a plan that hinges on selling it and living off the proceeds.

The scenario poses a major threat. Relying only on one resource in one field means that you are vulnerable to economic changes and personal health issues. The worth of your business will ultimately depend on how much people will be prepared to pay for it once you retire.

The unpredictable pattern of income makes planning for your finances difficult. It is possible to earn a lot of money in one period only to make less during another. Employees get a steady income and contributions towards their pensions made on their behalf by their employers, but this is not the case for the business owner. Financial tips offered may also assume that you receive a regular income and make pension contributions, something that may not be relevant for a business owner.

What a financial planner does for business owners

Tax and business structuring

The way you organise your wealth can be just as important as the amount you have. At Solace, we examine the frameworks you have, such as companies, family trusts, or a self-managed super fund, to ensure your personal and business assets are optimally positioned. This approach helps direct your income to the right place at the right time. With a Chartered Tax Adviser on our team, we integrate tax planning and structuring seamlessly, eliminating the hassle of coordinating between different professionals.

Protecting your business and family

Being a sole proprietor means that you cannot expect to benefit from the kind of security that a typical employee can enjoy. This is because employers normally pay into pension plans, have workers’ compensation for work-related injuries, and even offer sick leave. Being a business owner, you cannot expect these things unless you arrange them for yourself. To address these vulnerabilities, personal and life insurance can be tailored to match your specific financial obligations. For companies that depend largely on a few individuals, key person insurance will help maintain the operation of the business even when the individual who is essential to the smooth running of the business is unable to work. Risk management strategies like these are tailored to suit your specific needs.

Building wealth outside the business

The idea of diversifying your investments is equal to preparing for your future in such a way that you will not depend on a single possibility. Once your business starts becoming successful, then it becomes prudent for you to set aside some money from those profits towards diversification. These diversified investments can help you earn a steady income regardless of the success level of your business. This strategy aligns with our recommendations for building wealth in Australia.

Super and retirement for the self-employed

Automatic superannuation payments for employees take place every pay period without a second thought. This is not the case with self-managed savings plans. This is where continuous superannuation advice proves invaluable. Your contributions are structured in such a way that they are coordinated with your cash flow and annual limit constraints. In addition, we make sure that where you are able to benefit from the concessional contribution caps, you are maximising your opportunities. This is achieved by making use of tax-effective strategies. Linking all contributions to a well-defined retirement plan ensures each one helps you reach your specific goals.

Succession and exit planning

Ultimately, there comes a time when every entrepreneur must think about leaving their business. This may entail selling off the business, handing it over to the family, stepping back to watch it grow further, or slowly closing it down. With a good succession strategy, you guarantee your business is of value to any future investor or successors, besides securing your finances for the future once you retire. Earnings from selling the business provide you with huge amounts of money. How you invest that money and pay taxes will determine how your future as an individual is.

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Financial planner, accountant, or business advisor: which do business owners need?

Sometimes the roles of financial professionals can blur, so it helps to define them clearly. An accountant focuses on compliance, ensuring your tax returns, BAS, and bookkeeping are in order, and your business meets regulatory requirements. On the other hand, a business advisor examines how your company operates and seeks ways to improve its growth and efficiency. Meanwhile, a financial planner manages your personal finances as a business owner. They consider how your wealth is organised, protect your family’s financial future, guide investments outside of the business, and plan for retirement and eventual business exit.

In most cases, it is preferable for both a planner and an accountant to be involved in the process as opposed to selecting between the two. The areas of work between the two may overlap at many points, particularly in respect of tax matters. At Solace, we address the issue through having a Chartered Tax Adviser on our team, who combines the tax structuring with advice on other finances.

Why business owners choose Solace Financial

Solace stands out as an independent, principal-owned firm, holding our own Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL 509493). Free from the influence of banks or product providers, our focus remains solely on understanding and optimising your financial situation. With more than 80 years of combined experience among our five advisers, including several Certified Financial Planners and an in-house Chartered Tax Adviser, we offer comprehensive expertise in both financial and tax matters.

We are honoured by accolades like AWMA Adviser of the Year for High Net Worth in 2025 and IFA Business Outcome Leader of the Year in 2023 because of our dedication and quality. We regularly receive excellent ratings on Google from our satisfied clients. Our value to you is that we can provide expert advice in finance and taxes to help you grow your business.

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Meet our team of advisers

scott quinlan solace financial bio 2024
Stephen Horton FINANCIAL ADVISER
Giles Stratford FINANCIAL ADVISER
Joel Carty

Scott Quinlan

Certified Financial Planner ®”

Principal / Financial Adviser
MFP, B.Comm, CFP®

I hold a Master’s degree in Financial Planning from Griffith University along with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Newcastle. I’m a Cert…iles-stratford/”>Learn More

Stephen Horton

Certified Financial Planner ®”

Principal / Financial Adviser
B.Comm, CFP®

I am a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and a member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia. I have a degree in Commerce (Accounting) from the University of Queensland and an Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning.

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Giles Stratford

Certified Financial Planner ®”

Principal / Financial Adviser
MFP, AFP®

I hold a Masters in Financial Planning and a Member of the Financial Planning Association.

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Joel Carty

Certified Financial Planner ®”

Financial Planner
CFP®, MFP, CTA

I hold a Master’s degree in Financial Planning from the University of the Sunshine Coast and am a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®). Additionally, I am a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) and a proud member of both the Financial Advice Association Australia and The Taxation Institute of Australia.

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Between our advisers, we bring more than 80 years of professional expertise. Meet the full team.

Frequently asked questions

Do business owners need a financial planner or just an accountant?

Both are necessary in most cases, and their roles are distinct. The role of an accountant is to ensure compliance and process tax and other paperwork, while that of a financial advisor is to safeguard your personal wealth, protect you personally, manage investments separate from the business, and plan for your ultimate withdrawal. Working together, they perform better, especially where tax expertise exists within the advisory firm.

What does a financial planner do for a small business owner?

They create and oversee your individual financial strategy from a business perspective. This includes tax effective structuring of your wealth, protection of your income and your family, building wealth independent of the business, strategies for superannuation and retirement, and preparation for ultimate business transition or exit. The goal is to ensure that you do not rely solely on your business for financial security.

Can a financial planner help me separate my personal and business finances?

Yes, and for the majority of owners, it is this separation that marks the beginning. Our approach is to examine your personal finances in relation to your business finances, such as your salary, profit distribution, and structure, after which we can plan your personal finances separately. This way, the business becomes part of your finances and not the entire picture.

Do self-employed business owners get superannuation, and how should I plan for it?

There isn’t any employer who will pay your super guarantee on your behalf because you are self-employed. It’s you who needs to make sure that you save superannuation on your own, and this means doing so purposely in line with your financial flows and contribution caps per annum. When done correctly, it might even become tax effective because concessional contributions are usually taxed at lower rates than income.

When should a business owner start succession or exit planning?

Long before most owners anticipate, ideally several years ahead of your plans for departure. The preparation of the company for sale or transition is time-consuming, and how the deal proceeds will affect how much you retain. Getting an early start ensures that your choices are not limited by unforeseen events or personal health issues.

Does Solace Financial work with business owners outside Brisbane?

Yes. We are located in Brisbane and operate throughout Australia, advising clients. Meetings may take place in person at our Creek Street offices or online, which means that your geographical location will not be an obstacle to working together.

Is the first consultation really free?

Yes. The first visit will not cost you anything, and there will be no commitment on your end. This will allow you to see whether we are the right choice for you. 

Start with a free consultation

Your initial consultation with us is completely free and comes with no strings attached. It’s an opportunity to discuss your current situation and consider what a plan might look like, all before any financial commitment is made. 

If you choose to continue with us, we have a straightforward pricing strategy. We provide a flat upfront fee, which we will discuss prior to commencing any work. The fee will cater to the creation of your advisory plan and Statement of Advice. From there, any additional advisory services offered will be charged at a percentage of the managed investment amount. You don’t have to worry about any surprises, as we do not impose hidden fees like entry and exit fees.

When you’re ready to take the next step, feel free to give us a call at (07) 3106 3106 or visit us at Level 6, 97 Creek Street, Brisbane. Even a brief initial chat can help determine if our services align with your needs and set you on the path to a more secure financial future.

Contact

P: (07) 3106 3106 | F: (07) 3106 3100
E: [email protected]

Address

Solace Financial House
Level 6, 97 Creek Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
GPO Box 980, Brisbane Qld 4001

Get Started

Enquire today and take the next step toward a secure, enjoyable retirement, tailored to your goals and lifestyle.

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