If you want your practice to be successful it takes more than medical skills. In the absence of a financial adviser, you will also need a significant level of business acumen to navigate the ins and outs of important financial obligations such as bookkeeping, taxation, insurance, incomings and outgoings, and salary sacrifice.

By understanding how to structure your finances in your practice you’ll improve your level of financial security for yourself, your practice, and your family. You should look to exercise careful financial management across the following areas:

Make a budget and track your expenses, then add a buffer and spend less

Knowing what your income is and aiming to not spend more than that is easy when you’re on a salary. But when you’re running your own practice things are less predictable and you may find yourself coming up against unexpected costs. Therefore, start now and track your current situation. Once you have a few months’ worth of information, you can critically analyse your expenses. Look at where savings can be made, reduce your expenditure, and reserve savings for unforeseen future business costs.

Pay down bad debt

You really don’t want to go into a business with bad debt so if you have a credit card, car, or store debt, concentrate on reducing this debt as a top priority. If you have a large credit card debt you may want to consolidate the debt onto one low rate card that offers an interest-free period or consider a low rate personal loan.

Pay off a mortgage vs adding extra to super

Owning our own home outright is a goal for many but there are significant tax concessions afforded to superannuation, making it one of the most effective ways to build wealth for retirement. Superannuation also helps you diversify your savings across a more diverse range of asset classes, compared to investing in just one asset class, like property. So if you’re looking to reduce your tax bill, and accumulate wealth, consider contributing extra to your super.

Review your superannuation fund

You may still be using the ‘default’ fund that you joined when you started working in medicine but does this still suit your changing needs and higher income? It’s worthwhile considering your options as you want to be sure the fund offers low fees and sound investment performance. It may even be the time to consider a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF).

Did you know it may even be possible to purchase your consulting rooms through the fund?

Start extra super contributions early

Thanks to the wonders of compound earnings – the earlier you start saving for retirement, the more you will accumulate over time.

Your employer is required to direct 10 percent of your wage to superannuation each year however, if you work for yourself then you do not always need to make these contributions. Despite this, it is worth reviewing your budget to see if you can afford to keep making superannuation contributions as it helps increase your balance over time, and super is still one of the best vehicles to accumulate wealth.

Review your insurance needs – both personal and business

Insurance is designed to financially compensate you if you become seriously ill or injured. There are many types of insurance cover available; the main ones to investigate are life, disability, trauma, and income protection. Your superannuation fund may offer some form of insurance cover as well.

Generally speaking, the cost of cover is heavily dependent on your age and health – so the earlier you obtain cover, the cheaper it is.

Additionally, as you move into running your own practice, you’re going to need practice indemnity insurance. This is different from your personal medical indemnity insurance. You may consider engaging an insurance broker to help assess your risks and suggest cover that will best suit your changing needs.

Put an estate plan in place

Talk to a solicitor about putting a Will in place. A Will needn’t be overly complex but it is important that it accurately reflects your wishes. Also bear in mind that getting married causes a Will to be void, but getting a divorce doesn’t.

Start working with a financial adviser

There is no better time to get professional help with your finances than now. Working with a qualified financial adviser can help put you on the right path to long-term wealth creation. An adviser can provide you with an overview of what you should be focusing on now. They can work with you on putting strategies in place to achieve your goals and objectives over the longer term.

Operating your own practice is not easy. You may have the technical expertise to excel in your chosen field but that is only half the battle. Seeking professional advice from a financial adviser will ensure you start off on the right foot. Your financial advisers can assist in establishing the appropriate tax structures, working with financiers for borrowed funds, and cash flow planning.

The medical field, combined with private practice, can bring many pressures and stressors therefore, establishing a financial strategy and investment plan early will not only reduce the risk of poor financial outcomes but will set you up for deliberate financial and business success.

Who is Hewison Private Wealth?

Hewison Private Wealth are independent financial planning and wealth management experts, with an eye on growing and protecting your wealth.

Hewison Private Wealth can assist you with your personal financial planning needs as well as provide advice on the establishment of a private medical practice.

For more information or to book an initial discovery call you can get in touch with us HERE.

The views in this blog are those of the individual and may not represent the general opinion of the firm. The information provided above is general information only.  It does not consider your needs, financial situation, or objectives. You should seek specialised advice from a qualified financial adviser