See full profile: Momentum Financial Planner| Roodepoort - Thabo Ntini
Were you always planning to be a Financial Advisor and why?
Yes, I have always had a passion for finances and I enjoy dealing with people. Seeing my elders making certain bad financial decisions also drove me to want to educate people on their finances and assist them manage their financial lives.
When meeting with clients do they mostly come to your own premises or do you mostly go their theirs?
I mostly go to my clients.
What is your preferred mode of communication with your clients?
Email, Phone, Face to Face, Skype, WhatsApp.
Have you ever done an online video call with a client?
Yes
What do you love most about being a financial advisor
The flexibility of the job as well as dealing with different people and being challenged to continuously improve myself.
Would you recommend becoming a financial advisor as a career for school-leavers, and why?
Yes. It allows one to build their own practice and have time to do other income generating endeavours parallel to that. It is also great to be able to write your own pay cheque while having peace of mind that you are positively contributing to society as a whole.
What qualities should South Africans be looking for in their financial advisor?
Honesty, integrity, patience, knowledge, professionalism (through board affiliation)
What is the biggest challenge facing financial advisors today?
Inaccessibility to clients as clients believe every financial planner is trying to "sell" them something rather than solve a real life problem.
What aspects of financial advising do you focus on most?
I focus on investment planning (local and offshore), education planning, business assurance, employee benefits, risk planning (death, disability, critical illness), estate planning, tax planning, debt management, and budgeting.
Describe your average client:
My average client would be a young professional or someone that is retiring.
How far away from your premises is your furthest client?
1200kms
From your financial advising experience, if you could cite one of the biggest reasons financial goals, what would it be?
The lack of financial literacy as well as not adhering to a zero-sum budgeting technique. Many South Africans spend without actually planning for said expenditure. Savings are usually the last thing considered.
What financial software do you like best?
PACE
What other software, online services or apps do you use?
Smart Money
Do you think the coming wave of automation in the next few years will steal some financial advisor jobs and why/why not?
No. This is because clients enjoy the human interaction when dealing with the complexities of their finances.
What is your opinion on Bitcoin?
It is unregulated and thus I would not comment on something that is unregulated.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy spending time with family and friends, expanding my knowledge base (from finances to gardening), watching movies and imparting financial education.
What is the most interesting thing on your bucket list?
To travel to Egypt.
What has your experience been on FindanAdvisor?
I am new here so no experience as yet.
