Careers & Conversations

Meet Kate Tierney – Financial Adviser, Financial Services

If there is one thing Kate knows, it is agribusiness. Growing up on a sheep property in Western Victoria and subsequently specialising in agricultural wealth management, Kate is passionate about all things 'agribusiness'. 

Kate works as part of RSM in Ballarat’s Wealth Management Team, helping agribusiness clients across Western Victoria. With over 14 years’ experience in financial services, Kate is well-equipped to help businesses face the unique challenges associated with the agribusiness industry.

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE JOINING RSM AUSTRALIA?

When I first finished university, I worked at a boutique financial advice firm. I then moved into stockbroking and spent 3 years working on a stockbroking floor (an interesting experience as I was there through the GFC). After this, I joined Macquarie Group and after a stint in private banking, I moved to Sydney to work in Macquarie’s Agricultural Funds Management division, which was undergoing a huge amount of growth. I spent 4 years there in various roles, before deciding that I wanted to get back into financial advisory. My first job was in a bakery!

WHAT LED YOU DOWN THIS PARTICULAR CAREER PATH?

When I was at university, I studied Commerce, a very broad degree. I picked up an investment course and loved it, so I started a financial advice major. I was always drawn to the potential of helping people and making a difference as I have always been acutely aware of how important financial security is.

WHAT ARE COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT FINANCIAL ADVISERS?

 I think the biggest misconceptions are around value for money and level of personalisation.

"While I cannot speak on behalf of all advisers, I know that a 'good' adviser adds value well in excess of fees charged. A huge part of getting the advice right and adding value is taking the time to get to know the client and their unique situation to provide highly specialised, and personalised, advice that genuinely fits the client’s needs and objectives."

HAVE YOU LIVED IN OTHER PARTS OF AUSTRALIA?

I have lived in Melbourne, Sydney, the Riverina and a few places in Western Victoria. In the great Melbourne vs Sydney debate I am of the opinion that Sydney is a better place to visit, but Melbourne is a better place to live (sorry Sydney).

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WHERE YOU ARE NOW?

I live at the foot of the Grampians in Western Victoria and it really is a beautiful place. Given where I live, I have flexible work arrangements and I work from home 2-3 days a week (my house is 2 hours from our Ballarat office!). I am lucky in that I specialise in working with agribusiness clients, so quite often, I can see clients on the way into the office, or on the way home at their farms.

TELL US SOMETHING WE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU... YET.

My husband and I recently bought a farm which happens to have a large, heritage listed home on it. While it is not a project we were expecting to take on, we are now restoring it with the intention of opening it up for accommodation and special events later this year. It has been nearly three months since we have settled the property and we have come a long way. It has been a big learning curve and we are looking forward to having our weekends back at some point!

WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU AND WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

My parents are very hard working and have always inspired me. They have built up such a great farming business over the decades and have experienced some very high highs and some very low lows. My father is very driven and can be pretty hardnosed, but my mother balances this out so they match each other well (most days).

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF PROFESSIONAL ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?

A very good friend, and a previous mentor when I was starting out, had a few great liners that I still remember and use to this day. I think a classic one was to learn to never be jealous of what someone else had negotiated for themselves and if you want what they have, you should go after it yourself, not whine about it. I always try to keep this in mind whenever that very innate human feeling of envy creeps in!

If you would like to hear more from one of our financial advisers, please contact your local RSM office.