From My Mother’s Lessons to My Life’s Mission: Why I Became a Fee-Based Advisor
I grew up watching my mother build her life around helping others.
She’s an insurance agent — the kind who still brings her clients fruits during Chinese New Year and patiently explains every policy line by line, even to those who can’t read well. Many of her clients are elderly, some are from rural areas, and most simply trust her because she truly cares.
As a child, I didn’t fully understand it. But as I grew older, I realised what she was doing was more than selling insurance — she was giving people peace of mind. And that made me proud.
But I also saw how tiring it was. The long hours, the paperwork, the emotional burden of being there for clients through illness and loss — it was hard. I began to wonder if there was a better way to serve people — one that still carries empathy, but with a structure that’s transparent, sustainable, and educational.
That’s how I found my path as a fee-based financial advisor.
Working with Australian financial planners opened my eyes to a new model — one built on trust, clarity, and professional advice that isn’t tied to product commissions. I learned to write detailed Statements of Advice (SoAs), balancing clients’ goals with cash flow, investments, insurance, and estate plans. Most importantly, I learned what it means to put clients’ interests truly first.
Today, I carry both worlds with me —
✨ My mother’s heart for people.
✨ The professionalism I learned from the Australian system.
Under FA Advisory, I now focus on helping Malaysian families make confident, informed financial decisions through:
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Tax Planning – finding smarter, legal ways to reduce tax burdens
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Insurance Needs Analysis – ensuring the right protection, not just the most expensive one
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Retirement & Investment Planning – helping young professionals and families grow wealth with purpose
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Estate Planning – preserving legacy and protecting loved ones
For me, financial planning isn’t just about money.
It’s about helping people feel secure, hopeful, and free to live their lives without fear of the future.
That’s the kind of advisor I strive to be — one who leads with empathy, guided by experience, and grounded in trust.
Important: The information and opinions in this article are for general information purposes only. They should not be relied on as professional financial advice. Readers should seek independent financial advice that is customised to their specific financial objectives, situations & needs.
Published By:
Terrence Teh – Associate Consultant | Personal Finance & Cross-Border Planning (Malaysia–Australia)
I’m Terrence Teh, an Associate Consultant with FA Advisory, passionate about helping individuals and families achieve clarity, structure, and growth in their financial journey.
With a background in accounting, tax, and paraplanning for Australian advisory firms, I bring both local Malaysian insight and international financial planning expertise. I am currently pursuing the Registered Financial Planner (RFP) certification to deepen my knowledge in estate planning, retirement strategies, and wealth management.
I specialize in:
Cross-border planning for Malaysian families with ties to Australia (education, property, retirement, investments).
Insurance & risk management, including corporate employee benefits and group insurance.
Wealth accumulation & retirement planning, with strategies tailored to long-term growth and protection.
My goal is to make financial planning simple, structured, and aligned with your life goals, whether you are starting your career, expanding your family, or planning your legacy.
