Financial Planner Gold Coast | Era Financial Planning

Q: When should I see a financial planner?

The best time to see a financial planner is when you want clarity and confidence about your financial future, whether retirement is approaching, you want to grow your wealth, review your super, or simply make sure everything is structured correctly. Many of our clients say they wish they'd started sooner. There's no wrong time to get good advice.

Q: How much does financial advice cost on the Gold Coast?

The cost of financial advice depends on the complexity of your situation and the services required. At Era Financial Planning, we start with a no-obligation coffee conversation to understand your goals before discussing fees. All fees are transparently outlined in our Statement of Advice before any work begins.

Q: Can I work with Era Financial Planning if I'm not on the Gold Coast?

Yes. While we're based in Helensvale on the Gold Coast, we work with clients across Queensland and Australia via phone and video consultations. Both of our advisers, Gina Benney and Ryan Smithyman, are ASIC-registered and authorised to provide financial advice to clients nationally.

Q: What is a Financial Services Guide (FSG)?

A Financial Services Guide (FSG) is a legally required document that outlines the services we offer, how we charge, how we handle your information, and what to do if you have a complaint. You can download the Financial Services Guide for either of our advisers, Gina Benney or Ryan Smithyman, directly from our website.

The Era Financial Planning team, Gold Coast financial planners based in Helensvale

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Registered Financial Advisers ASIC Authorised Representatives

About Era Financial Planning

A Holistic Approach to Your Financial Future

At Era Financial Planning, we believe great financial advice should be clear, personal, and built around your life, not a one-size-fits-all template. Our team of two registered financial advisers brings together more than 40 years of combined experience: decades spent working with Gold Coast families, retirees and professionals, alongside extensive international financial planning and wealth management experience.

That breadth of perspective means we've seen a wide range of situations, markets and life stages, and we use it to take the time to truly understand where you are now and create a practical roadmap to where you want to be. Whether retirement is on the horizon, you're looking to grow your wealth, optimise your superannuation, or simply want to make sure everything is structured correctly, we're here to help you feel confident and in control. Based in Helensvale, we also offer phone and video consultations for clients anywhere in Australia.

Tertiary qualifications in commerce and finance
Postgraduate qualifications in financial planning
SMSF Regulation & Taxation expertise within the team
Both advisers are Authorised Representatives of Avana Financial Services (AFSL)
Over 40 years of combined local and international experience
We take the time to understand your situation first

🛡️ Our advisers are registered financial advisers, authorised under Avana Financial Services (AFSL). Meet the team & view our Financial Services Guides →

Meet the Team

Two Advisers. One Shared Commitment to You.

Get to know the registered financial advisers behind Era Financial Planning, and reach out directly to whoever you'd like to have a coffee with.

Financial Planner

Gina Benney

With more than 20 years of experience in financial planning, I have spent my career helping Gold Coast families, retirees and professionals make confident, well-informed decisions about their money, and I still get a genuine kick out of seeing a plan come together for someone.

I hold a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) and a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning, and I am SMSF Regulation & Taxation qualified. I am a registered financial adviser and an Authorised Representative of Avana Financial Services, and I work with clients across Queensland and Australia from our home base in Helensvale.

My approach is holistic and practical. I take the time to understand where you are now, what you are working toward, and what a comfortable future genuinely looks like for you. Then I build a clear, plain-English plan to get you there. No jargon, no one-size-fits-all templates, and no pressure.

I firmly believe expert financial planning isn't just for the ultra-wealthy. Much of my work is with everyday “accumulators”, people working hard to prepare for retirement, and I love finding ways to structure superannuation and investments so they can build real wealth without it hurting their day-to-day cash flow.

For me, good advice starts with a conversation. That is why every relationship begins with a relaxed coffee, where we get to know each other and make sure we are the right fit, because that matters just as much to me as it does to you.

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Email [email protected]
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Mobile 0448 770 492

🛡️ Gina Benney is a registered financial adviser, authorised under Avana Financial Services (AFSL). View Financial Services Guide →

Financial Planner

Ryan Smithyman

With over 20 years of experience in financial planning, including extensive international experience, I bring a broad perspective and a genuine commitment to helping clients achieve their financial goals with confidence.

I hold an Honours degree in Finance from the University of Cape Town, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State. I began my career with one of South Africa's leading financial planning and pension fund administration companies, where I developed a strong foundation across a wide range of financial planning and wealth management disciplines. I was also a member of the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa.

Now based in Australia, I am a registered financial adviser and enjoy working closely with clients to understand what matters most to them and develop clear, considered strategies that support their financial goals and long-term plans.

Outside of work, family is at the heart of my life. I am married with three beautiful daughters, and when I'm not spending time with them, you'll often find me on the golf course or at the beach.

I believe good financial advice is about more than numbers. It is about understanding people, building lasting relationships and helping clients make informed decisions about their financial future.

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Email [email protected]
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Mobile 0401 044 326

🛡️ Ryan Smithyman is a registered financial adviser, authorised under Avana Financial Services (AFSL). View Financial Services Guide →

What We Offer

Comprehensive Financial Services

We don't just focus on one piece of the puzzle. Our holistic approach ensures every aspect of your financial life is working together: clearly, efficiently, and for your benefit.

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Financial Planning

A comprehensive roadmap built around your life goals. We analyse your complete financial picture and deliver a clear, jargon-free plan you can actually understand and act on.

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Wealth Accumulation

Smart, sustainable strategies to grow and protect your wealth over time. We identify opportunities to make your money work harder through investment, contributions, and smart restructuring.

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Superannuation

Ensuring you're in the right fund with the right investments and contributions. Small changes here can make a significant difference to what you actually retire with.

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Personal Risk Insurance

Protecting you and your family from life's unexpected moments. We review income protection, life cover, and TPD to ensure you're properly covered, without overpaying.

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Retirement Planning

Whether retirement is 2 years or 20 years away, we help you understand what a comfortable retirement genuinely looks like for you, and build the plan to get there with confidence.

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Estate Planning

Making sure your assets are protected and passed on according to your wishes. We help structure your legacy the right way, for the people and causes you care about most.

How It Works

Simple, Transparent, No Obligation

We've designed our process to be as stress-free as possible. Here's exactly what to expect when you reach out.

01

A Coffee On Us

We start with a relaxed conversation. We want to get to know you, understand your situation, and hear what you're working toward. It's as much about making sure we're the right fit for you as it is the other way around.

02

We Do the Heavy Lifting

We analyse your super, contributions, and investment mix and identify the gaps. We find what most people miss, and work out what could be working much harder for you.

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Your Personalised Plan

We put it all together in a written plan, in plain English. Clear recommendations, clear reasoning, and something you can actually read, understand, and act on with confidence.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you want to know before reaching out, answered honestly.

What does a financial planner on the Gold Coast actually do? +

A Gold Coast financial planner creates a personalised strategy covering retirement, wealth accumulation, superannuation, personal insurance and estate planning. At Era Financial Planning we take a holistic view, looking at every aspect of your financial life to build a clear, practical roadmap tailored to your goals and timeline.

When is the right time to see a financial planner? +

The right time is when you want real clarity and confidence about your financial future, whether retirement is approaching, you want to grow your wealth, review your super, or simply make sure everything is structured correctly. Most clients tell us they wish they'd started sooner. There's no wrong time to get good advice.

How much does financial advice cost on the Gold Coast? +

The cost depends on your situation and the services you need. We start every relationship with a no-obligation coffee conversation, before we talk about fees. Once we understand your goals, any costs are fully transparent and outlined in your Statement of Advice before any work begins.

Can I work with Era Financial Planning if I'm not on the Gold Coast? +

Absolutely. While we're based in Helensvale on the Gold Coast, we work with clients across Queensland and Australia via phone and video consultations. Both Gina and Ryan are ASIC-registered advisers authorised to provide financial advice nationally, so wherever you are, we'd love to chat.

What is a Financial Services Guide (FSG)? +

An FSG is a legally required document that outlines our services, fees, how we manage your information, and how to raise a complaint. Each of our advisers has their own FSG. Download Gina's FSG here or Ryan's FSG here.

Still have questions? Let's have a coffee

Client Reviews

What Our Clients Say

Real people. Real results. Here's what Gold Coast clients have to say about working with Era Financial Planning.

Your Future Deserves
Expert Guidance

A Holistic Approach to Your Financial Future