Each one is licensed for different work. Knowing where one role ends and the next begins helps you ask the right person the right question.

Reviewed 31/10/2026. General information only, not personal advice.

Three different licences

• Main focus: Financial adviser: Your overall financial strategy: super, investments, insurance, retirement and estate planning. Accountant: Tax returns, tax planning, business accounts and structures. Mortgage broker: Finding and arranging loans
• Licence: Financial adviser: Authorised under an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL). Accountant: Registered tax agent (for tax work); an AFSL is needed for financial product advice. Mortgage broker: Authorised under an Australian Credit Licence (ACL)
• Register to check: Financial adviser: ASIC's Financial Advisers Register. Accountant: Tax Practitioners Board register. Mortgage broker: ASIC's credit registers
• Main legal duty: Financial adviser: Act in your best interests when giving personal advice. Accountant: Tax Practitioners Board Code of Professional Conduct. Mortgage broker: Act in your best interests when giving credit assistance
• Typical payment: Financial adviser: Advice fees, and for some insurance advice, commissions (disclosed in the FSG). Accountant: Fees for service. Mortgage broker: Usually commissions paid by the lender, disclosed to you

When each one is the right first call

A financial adviser if you want to:

• grow or protect your wealth, or review your super
• plan for retirement or decide how to draw an income
• review your life, TPD, trauma or income protection insurance

An accountant if you need to:

• lodge tax returns or work out a tax position
• set up or run a business structure, trust or SMSF accounts

A mortgage broker if you want to:

• buy a home or investment property
• refinance or restructure your debt

Working together

Bigger decisions often touch all three. For example, retiring can involve your super and pension (adviser), the tax on any payments (accountant) and paying down or restructuring a loan (broker). With your written permission, the people you choose can share what they need and coordinate, so you're not repeating yourself or getting conflicting answers.

Weigh it up for your own situation

This page explains how the options generally compare. Which one suits you depends on your goals, balance, health, family and the rest of your finances. Book a free initial discussion or call 07 3733 1731. Meet face to face in Eight Mile Plains, or online anywhere in Australia.

Frequently asked questions

Can my accountant give me financial advice?

An accountant can advise on tax and business matters. To give personal advice about financial products, such as super funds, investments or insurance, they need to be authorised under an Australian Financial Services Licence. Some accountants are, many aren't.

Can a financial adviser arrange my home loan?

Only if they're also authorised under an Australian Credit Licence. Financial advisers and mortgage brokers often work together, with the adviser looking at the overall strategy and the broker arranging the loan.

Do I need all three?

Not always. Many people only need one at a time. When you're making a bigger decision, such as retiring, selling a business or buying an investment property, it can help when they work together, with your permission.

Related reading

• Financial planner vs financial adviser
• What does a financial adviser cost?
• Financial planner in Brisbane