Personal Financial Planning Flashcards
(1) What aspects does financial planning encompass?
Taxation, insurance, superannuation, retirement planning, estate planning, investments, accounting, economics and finance.
(1) What aspects does a financial planner need to consider in preparing a financial plan?
Client’s age, disposable income, risk profile, level of debt, number of dependants, amount of assets available for investment and tax position
(1) Financial assets that are created and exchanged can be divided into what five broad types? Provide examples.
- Debt instruments – require repayment plus interest (bank deposits & debentures)
- Contractual – require payment at a set time or event (insurance & super)
- Equity – involve ownership claim over profits or assets (shares)
- Hybrid – securities with debt & equity (pref shares/conv. notes)
- Derivatives – financial asset whose value is derived from another financial asset. (options & futures)
(1) What are the three broad classifications for financial markets
- Primary and secondary markets
- Money and capital markets
- Retail and wholesale markets
(1) In 1997 what report was created and what did it identify? And recommend
Wallace Committee Report – aging population, changing work patterns, increased accumulation of asset/liability, increased awareness, and technology. It recommended regulation by function rather than institution type. RBA removed as regulator of banks, and AFIC and ISC became ASC (now ASIC)
(1) When were APRA and ASIC established? What are their roles?
1 July 1998, APRA supervises the banks, insurance co & super funds to ensure operation in line with law. ASIC is responsible for ensuring market integrity and consumer protection.
(1) Which report followed this one and why was it done?
The Ripoll Report 2009 prompted by the collapse of Storm Financial and Opes Prime.
(1) What legislation contains some of these changes and what are they?
FOFA – Future of Financial Advice, included:
• ban on conflicted remuneration structures
• statutory fiduciary duty to act in members best interests
• introduce flexible advice payment options inc opt-in
(1) Why are more people interested in the management of their finances
- Ownership of superannuation – less reliance on pension
- Successful government floats on share market
- Increased choice & product availability
- Choice of super fund (2005)
- Technological advancement
- Availability of financial information – better educated
- Continuing volatility in stock markets
- People living longer and aging population
- Increased number of early retirements and retrenchments
(1) What are the six steps in creating a financial plan
- Gather client data
- Set goals and objectives
- Analyse and evaluate financial stats and identify problems
- Prepare and present written recommendations
- Implement the financial planning recommendations
- Review, revise and maintain the personal financial plan.
(1) A financial statement generally contains two parts, what are they?
- A personal cash flow budget or statement – shows income and expenditure.
- A personal balance sheet – shows assets and liabilities.
(1) Why are financial ratios important
Because they evaluate a person’s financial performance. Lenders also use these ratios to assess credit risk.
(1) What is excluded from the liquid assets?
Shares and managed funds that may be liquid but would result in a loss if sold.
(1) What factors affect financial planning
Economic, political and social.
(1) What is economics a study of?
How people and society choose to employ scarce productive resources to produce goods and services and distribute them amongst society.
(1) What is the definition of a recession
Two or more quarters of negative real GDP Growth.
(1) What Govt policies could affect financial planning?
- Monetary policy – flow of funds & interest rates
- fiscal policy – government spending & taxation
- prices and income policy – wages & therefore production
- external policy – strategies to stabilise exchange rates, exports, imports and capital flow.
(1) What legislation regulates advisers?
Part 7.6 Division 5 of the Corporations Act 2001
(1) What does this legislation require of licence applicants?
- they are not insolvent
- have adequate educational qualifications & experience
- no reason to believe they are not of good fame & character
- no reason to believe they will not perform their duties efficiently, honestly and fairly
(1) What is the other key piece of legislation affecting financial planning?
The Financial Services Reform Act 2001, it covers the specific details about training and management, and is incorporated as a new chapter (7) in the Corporations Act 2001.
(2) When investors invest they need to consider what?
The time period that funds are committed, effects of taxation & inflation & volatility of returns
(2) Investments have different characteristics, what are 5?
- Liquidity and accessibility
- Taxation treatment
- Transaction costs
- Return
- Risk
(2) What is ‘the time value of money’
It is investing now for a period of time at a rate of return that is greater than inflation.
(2) What are the variables that determine present and future value of a debt instrument?
- the face value of the investment
- the term to maturity
- the current market interest rate
(2) What is the effective rate?
Is the annualised rate of interest which includes the effect of compounding within the year.
(2) What are the three characteristics that must be present for it to be an annuity
- have a fixed term to maturity
- is a regular payment
- is paid in arrears.
(2) What is return? And what are the risks?
The total of any income earned for the period together with capital gains. Uncertainty in level of income and volatility.
(2) What is investment risk?
The probability that the actual return on an investment will be different from the expected return.
(2) The level of risk a client will accept varies with their circumstances, what are some of these considerations
- age
- income-generating capacity
- particular assets and asset classes already held
- the level of debt
- financial responsibilities
- time frame
(2) What is expected return?
Is the weighted average of all possible returns from an investment with the weight being the probability of each return
(2) In analysing three investments with the same expected return, what is another thing to be considered?
The standard deviation – measure of how actual returns are likely to differ from expected returns. Higher = higher risk. Investments have 68% chance of falling within one deviation, 95% within two.
(2) What is a real return?
The return after the effects of tax and inflation
(2) What is NPV
The net present value and is the sum of the present value of cash inflows less cash outflows. When this is positive the investment is considered worth undertaking. Expected future cash inflows are adjusted for the time value of money by discounting those cash flows by a discount rate – this gives a present value
(2) What is IRR
Internal rate of return – which is the rate of return at which the present values of cash inflows and outflows are equal.
(2) Which method should a financial planner use?
The NPV method because when there are multiple sign changes in cash inflows and outflows, this can result in multiple IRR values at which NPV=0 or no IRR value at all.
(2) When valuing fixed interest securities what doe the discount method refer to?
The rate of return required by the investor and is the rate at which future cash flows are discounted back to the present value.
(2) What are the benefits of producing a personal cash flow statement?
Estimating your cash position at a future point in time.
(2) What is a savings surplus?
In a personal cash flow statement, where income exceeds expenditure, this difference.
(2) When is the nominal rate of interest equal to the effective rate of interest?
When there is only one compounding period per annum.
(3) What three levels is tax levied at and who is responsible for the imposition of tax?
• Commonwealth – income tax, fringe benefit tax, GST etc
• States – stamp duty, payroll tax, land tax etc
• Local councils – council rates
The Commonwealth are responsible.
(3) Who administers income tax and who is applicable?
The ATO - all entities on a financial year basis on a PAYG basis.
(3) How is tax administered in Australia?
On a self-assessment basis by individuals. The ATO have audit and penalty powers
(3) Progressive tax system?
Those who earn more, pay more, Australia uses this.
(3) Difference - individual income tax and company?
Individuals are taxed in a progressive nature based on a scale of how much is earned, where as companies pay a flat 30%.
(3) What is the taxation formula?
Assessable income – allowable deductions
(3) Assessable income includes ordinary and statutory income including what?
- wages, salary, director fees and service earnings
- business income
- investment income
- compensation that replaces assessable income
- periodic income
- capital gains
(3) How does ITAA97 define ordinary income and what does this mean?
Income according to ordinary concepts. This would include tips, but not income received from hobbies.
(3) What are allowable deductions?
The discount on the assessable income. They may be general or specific.
(3) What are ‘general deductions’
Any loss or outgoing that is incurred in gaining or producing assessable income or is necessarily occurred in carrying on a business for income producing activities (as long as not of a capital, private or domestic nature)
(3) What are specific deductions
Repairs, depreciation, tax preparations, prior period losses and charitable donations. Entertaining expenses are NOT included.
(3) What is the general rule applied when claiming an allowable deduction
If the deduction is greater than $300 the claim must be substantiated with receipts and other evidence and retained for 5 years.
(3) Tax-free threshold?
The amount of money earned by an individual which is not taxable - $18,200
(3) Tax planning?
The legitimate organisation of an investors affairs in accordance with tax laws to minimise tax
(3) Tax evasion?
Involves criminal falsification or non-disclosure to reduce tax.
(3) Tax avoidance?
Is minimisation of tax through legal means, which are artificial, contrived and have no reason other than for a tax benefit.
(3) Difference between direct and indirect tax?
Direct tax is tax paid directly by the person or organisation, where as indirect tax is levied on expenditures (eg GST).
(3) After the taxable income has been determined, what is the tax formula?
Taxable income x tax rate = gross tax payable.
Gross tax payable – tax offsets/rebates + levies = net tax payable.
(3) How is income distributed to a minor from a testamentary trust treated?
A testamentary trust established under a deceased’s will are taxed using adult marginal rates
(3) What is the Medicare levy and how does it apply?
It is 1.5% and commences on income over a certain level. The level differs based on status of the individual and whether they have children, tax offsets cannot reduce the Medicare Levy.
(3) What is the Medicare Levy Surcharge?
Applicable if an individual does not have private health cover with an excess not greater than $500 (singles) and $1000 (other).
(3) The income used to assess the MLS is based on what income, and how does this differ when calculating the MLS?
• Taxable income
• Reportable fringe benefits
• Reportable superannuation contributions
• Total net investment losses
• Amount on which family trust distribution tax has been paid.
Reportable superannuation conts and total net investment losses are not included in the calculation.
(3) What are tax offsets and how are refundable tax offsets different?
Reduce tax payable. Only the private health insurance rebate, franking tax offset and education tax refund are refundable, which means they can be refunded or carried forward.
(3) Name some tax offsets?
- Dependent spouse tax offset (DSTO)
- Low income tax offset (LITO)
- Net medical expenses tax offset (NMETO)
- Private health insurance tax offset.
(3) How is interest income taxed?
Part of assessable income – joint assets are split equally.
(3) What is an interest-offset arrangement?
Where the interest earned is offset against the person’s mortgage, which reduces the income the investor earns.
(3) How is property income taxed
Rental income is part of assessable income but deductions are applicable for associated costs. CGT is payable on capital gain
(3) How is share investments taxed?
Dividends are included in assessable income, but tax depends on its franking status.
(3) What does franking do and how does it work?
It ensures that tax is only paid once on an amount. If the company has fully paid tax on the amount, the dividend will be said to be fully franked.
(3) How is the franking / imputation credit calculated
Dividend received x (company tax rate / 1- Company tax rate)
(3) What is a capital works deduction?
An allowable deduction against assessable income where construction on a residential building used for investment commenced after 1985 (4%) or 1987 (2.5%)
(3) What are two types of Employer Termination Payments (MTPS)?
- Bona fide redundancy – no longer requires an employee to carry out a particular kind of work.
- Approved early retirement schemes.
(3) What are the two main features of an MTP?
- A tax free amount applies
* It cannot be rolled over to a superannuation fund
(3) How are payments over the tax free amount treated?
As a life benefit termination payment (LBTP). This means up to $160K is taxed at 15% (over preservation age) or 30% below preservation age) + any excess at the individual’s marginal rate.
(3) An MTP includes what payments?
- payment in lieu of notice
- payment for unused sick leave
- golden handshakes
- severance or termination payments
- redundancy payments in excess of the tax free amount
(3) What does in not include?
Payment for unused leave, including long service leave or compensation for personal injury.
(3) To be deductible, interest outgoings on borrowings require the expenditure to have what two features?
- be used for income producing purposes and
* have been incurred.
(3) When is an individual not able to increase the capital gain cost base by CPI?
Where the asset was held for less than 12 months
(3) A capital loss can be carried forward for how many years?
Indefinitely
(3) The CGT discount rate of 50% is not generally available to?
Companies and superannuation funds. A super fund is generally able to obtain a discount rate of 30%
(3) The CGT discount rate of 50% is not generally available to?
Companies and superannuation funds. A super fund is generally able to obtain a discount rate of 30%
(3) Who pays fringe benefit tax?
The employer.
(3) Effective salary packaging requires salary sacrifice arrangements to be made by who and when?
By the employer to the employee prior to the earning of the relevant remuneration.
(3) What is the aim of tax planning?
To develop strategies that will legitimately and lawfully minimise the taxation liability of individual and company taxpayers.
(3) What are six tax effective strategies?
- Income splitting – investments in the name of someone in a lower tax bracket to minimise tax.
- Income timing – when best to receive income
- Negative gearing – occurs when interest on borrowings exceeds income from the investment.
- Salary packaging
- Income verses capital growth
- Business structures
(3) An investor who intends to engage in gearing should have what four attributes?
- have a regular, secure income stream
- be a medium to high income earner
- have an adequate income protection insurance cover
- be aware of the risk and the multiplication of the risk.
(3) What are the advantages of negative gearing
- lowers income tax as losses are offset against other income for taxation purposes.
- Increases wealth – in the long term
- Allows purchases that could otherwise not be afforded
(3) What are the disadvantages of negative gearing
- Loss of money if asset does not increase at a higher rate than the sum of cash losses made each year
- You don’t own the money invested, if it fails you still need to pay back the borrowings
- Only effective for ‘capital growth’ assets
(3) What is the purpose of margin lending?
Allows investors to borrow against the value of eligible securities.
(3) What is the margin lending loan gearing ratio
The percentage of the market value that the lender will loan against (generally 40-80% depending on risk).
(3) What is a margin call and when is it payable
Where the loan falls below the loan gearing ratio, the notice to restore the ratio. It is generally payable within 24 hours.
(3) What are some basic rules applicable to margin lending?
- use a conservative approach and avoid over extending
- take a long term view to investing
- reinvest dividends to increase you equity over time.
(3) What is a safety margin?
The amount of security over and above the value of their loan. This is usually specified by the lender, but the investor can increase this to protect themselves from a margin call.
(3) How can margin calls be satisfied by the borrower?
- contribute cash – reduce the balance of the loan
- use existing assets as security
- sell some assets pledged as security and use proceeds to reduce balance of the loan
(3) What are the benefits of margin lending?
- Purchase assets at a higher value than they can afford
- Ability to spread risk by diversifying
- Shares are a liquid investment
- Tax benefits through deductibility of interest on loan
- Choice of investments
(3) What are the risks of margin lending?
- Assets are secured to loan could be at risk
- Risk of margin call at bad time
- Serviceability risk – ability to meet interest payments
- Tax risk – loss of income or tax rate changes could remove this benefit.
(3) What is salary packaging?
Taking some remuneration in the form of a concessionally taxed benefits which result in an overall reduction in tax, however these are then subject to fringe benefit tax (FBT).
(3) How are salary sacrificed superannuation contributions shown and taxed?
As Reportable Employer Super Contributions (RESC) and are taxed at 15% in the fund. These contributions are included in the income calculation for income testing purposes.
(3) How are salary sacrifice cars treated?
Subject to concessional FBT, which still makes this a good option
(3) What is exempt from FBT?
Salary taken as cash, super contributions and termination payments. Cars are concessionally taxed.
(3) What are the restrictions on getting the concessional FBT on a car?
It must have a carrying capacity of less than 1 tonne or lower than 9 occupants.
(3) What are the two methods of calculating FBT?
Statutory formula method and operating cost method
(3) What are the advantages of conducting business under a company structure?
- superannuation contributions are deductible
- allows income splitting by dividend payment to shareholders
- family can be appointed as directors (paid reasonable directors fees)
- income can be averaged over a number of years through a dividend regime
- it is easier to claim expenses under a corporate structure
- limited liability to value of shares if applicable.
(5) What does a buy and hold investor believe? What is the opposite?
That the market is efficient (prices reflect company value). The opposite investor believes the market is inefficient and so may utilise a ‘timing the market’ strategy.
(5) What is the efficient frontier
Graphical depiction of returns and risk. A portfolio that will give the greatest possible rate of return will lie on the efficient frontier.
(5) The behaviour of loss aversion occurs when?
Individuals place different values on gains and losses and discover that losses are considered far more undesirable
(5) What are the reasons people may not plan for their future?
- lack of disposable income
- government supporting people’s retirement
- lack of goal setting
- lack of financial education
(5) What are the four main classes of assets to invest in
- Cash – low risk – manage cash flows
- Fixed interest – low to medium risk – steady income
- Property – medium to high risk – longer term investment
- Shares – high risk
(5) What are the different forms of income?
Dividends, interest and rent
(5) What are dividends?
The distribution of company profits to shareholders done after all accounts finalised, considering the availability of cash, profit and any investment / development opportunities. Declared annually or biannually and based on the number of shares held at a certain point in time.
(5) What is ex-dividend?
This means that any new shareholders after this date are not entitled to the dividend that has been declared
(5) What is a capital gain?
Increased value of the shares compared to the purchase price
(5) What is a paper profit?
A profit from shares that have not been sold but increased in value.
(5) When does capital growth occur?
When the investment value exceeds what was paid for the investment.
(5) How are income and growth assets generally seen with regards to risk?
Income assets are considered low risk and growth assets as high risk
(5) What is risk?
The probability that the actual return will differ from the expected return.
(5) What factors affect an individuals risk tolerance (8)?
- time frame
- personality
- concerns re inflation
- current market conditions
- Desire for flexibility
- age
- liquidity requirements
- desire for income verses capital growth.
(5) What is systemic risk
Refers to the portion of investment return variability that is caused by factors affecting the value of all comparable investments. Economic, political and sociological changes etc.
(5) Why won’t diversification reduce systemic risk.
All investments are affected.
(5) What is unsystemic risk and what four categories can it be broken into?
Portion of risk unique to the investment, including:
• business risk – continued profitability
• financial risk – level of debt carried
• default risk – ability to meet obligations
• liquidity risk – ability to convert assets to cash
(5) Give 4 ways diversification can be achieved?
- Across companies
- Across asset classes
- Across countries
- Across fund managers.
(5) What is correlation?
Looking at combinations of assets to cancel out each other’s riskiness. Correlation looks at these risk patterns.
(5) Assets moving together are described as what?
Positively correlated
(5) What do you look for in a balanced portfolio?
Less correlated = lower portfolio risk.
(5) What is the correlation band?
-1 strong negative correlation (move opposite) to +1 strong correlation (move together)
(5) What is the principle behind modern portfolio theory?
Correct combination of assets can achieve a high return associated with more risky investments but reducing the level of risk associated.
(5) Effective diversification reduces risk at each level to best suit the investor. How are these risks categorised?
- firm risk
- Industry risk
- Asset class risk
- Economic risk
- International risk
(5) Asset allocation is crucial and involves what two main decisions?
- what asset classes will be included
2. how will the asset classes be weighted
(5) What are the two main approaches to asset allocation?
- Strategic – focus on long term performance objectives to establish the asset mix – eg a % to each asset class is determined and when unbalanced it is reweighted
- Tactical – changes the asset mix based on market performance expectations, including timing the market and sector rotation.