Business South October 2020

76 | RMA Financial Queenstown Taking the hassle out of financial planning TT Karen Phelps M el Watson from RMA Financial Queen- stown aims to take the hassle out of financial matters such as insurance and home loans for her clients. Specialising in assisting small businesses and young families, Mel, a registered financial advisor, brings an accounting and manage- ment background to the business spanning nearly 20 years. She says RMA Financial Queenstown pro- vides a broad service and a team of advisors specialising in different areas of financial advice. “Planning for your financial future is a long- term view. At RMA we consider the client’s in- dividual needs on a personal and/or business level, research all the options, offer advice and tailor a package just for them.” Bringing youth and energy to the business, the Queenstown team offer a fresh perspec- tive providing a range of specialities, products and services all designed to offer clients the full package of investments, advice and insurance solutions. It can also provide ACC specialist advice to clients who are self-em- ployed business owners. As Mel specialises in personal risk in- surance, she provides targeted insurance solutions that work for each client and their business to help them to manage risk effec- tively. Life and health, mortgage and income, house, contents, car and boat and business are just some of the insurance offered. Mel can also offer ACC specialist advice to business owners. Happy to help: Mel Watson and the team at RMA Financial Queenstown. HEALTHY EMPLOYEES MEAN HEALTHY BUSINESS The partnership with QLE KDV GHÀQLWHO\ KHOSHG WR VSHHG XS UHFRYHU\ DQG LW·V EHHQ JUHDW IRU XV FXOWXUDOO\ DV VWDII QRZ KDYH WKH FRQÀGHQFH NQRZLQJ WKH\·UH VXSSRUWHG ZLWK SULYDWH KHDOWKFDUH BUSINESS SERVICES She says that the two main areas of concern when it comes to ACC are how expensive the levies are and confidence in what level of cover a person will have at claim time. Mel says often her ACC advice results in significant savings along with guaranteed, pre- agreed levels of cover that don’t require proof of income at claim time. Budgeting and financial advice to help Kiwis get into their first home is another passion for Mel. She can also assist with home loan applications, dealing directly with all the major banks and second and third tier lenders. Covid-19 has put pressure on some business- es in the region and this is another area where Mel can assist. For example she says many insurers have offered premium suspensions so people continue to have cover but do not need to pay their premiums for a certain period of time depending on their circumstances. “We always have options to assist if people are struggling. That’s where a financial advisor can provide real value,” she says. “At RMA we focus on regularly keeping in touch with business clients as Queenstown is an ever changing landscape. We want to see how they are doing and how we can help.” Ultimately though for Mel it is about making complex financial matters easy for her clients to understand. She provides a free review regularly for her clients to ensure they have the best set up for their personal situation. “A lot of people are time poor so at RMA Financial Queenstown we take away the has- sle, doing all the homework, paperwork and legwork so they can leave these matters in the hands of professionals who understand the industry and can get them the best outcome.” “We always have options to assist if people are struggling. That’s where a financial advisor can provide real value.”