Our People – Watzdorf Financial Planning

Our People

Working together to reach and exceed your financial goals, providing confidence for your future.

Werner Watzdorf

Director, MFinPlan
Authorised Representative 242190
Accredited Aged Care Professional TM
Accredited Behavioural Finance Professional ABFP^®Chartered Retirement Planning Counsellor CRPC^®

Werner Watzdorf is a Certified Financial Planner with 35 years’ experience in the profession. He entered the life insurance industry in 1989 and became a licensed Financial Planner in 1994. His commitment to further education saw the completion of the Diploma in Financial Planning and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) accreditation in 2002, the Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning in 2020, and the Masters of Financial Planning in 2022. He sat and passed the first rollout of the government’s newly introduced mandatory Financial Planner exam in 2019. Werner and his wife and business partner, Manuela, have been operating under their own Financial Services License since 2018.

Due to an ever-increasing demand for advice on aged care, Werner was re-accredited on Strategic Advice for Aged Care in 2021. He has also completed the Masters Level for Self-Managed Superannuation (SMSF).

Werner is a highly energetic person with a drive to deliver exceptional client service and quality financial planning advice. His aim is to help clients build long-term financial success. He attends regular professional development training sessions, seminars, and conferences to stay abreast of advanced technical and legislative changes.

He enjoys spending time with his family, reading, heavy metal music, bushwalking, good food, and Australian and American classic cars.

Adviser Profile

Manuela Watzdorf

Director, Grad Dip FP
Authorised Representative 1243784

Manuela co-founded WA & MK Watzdorf Pty. Ltd. in 1994. She established administration and accounting practices to support the growing business, drawing on expertise gained in more than 11 years’ management and customer service. Manuela successfully managed a division of Ansett Australia responsible for providing local and multi-national companies with corporate, group, and incentive travel.

In 2016, Manuela undertook further studies and completed the Diploma in Financial Planning and the Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning. She is an Associate Member of the FPA. In 2019, she successfully passed the mandatory Financial Planner exam and completed the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning in 2021.

Manuela attends regular professional development training sessions, seminars, and conferences to stay abreast of advanced technical and legislative changes.

Manuela’s compassionate and caring nature is well suited to supporting women who have a desire or need to take charge of their finances. Her aspiration is to help women understand investing and the financial planning process in order to help them feel secure on their path to financial success.

She enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, yoga, gardening, and bushwalking.

Adviser Profile

Aaron Ward

Provisional Financial Planner, Grad Dip FP
Authorised Representative 1310232

Aaron joined Watzdorf Financial Planning in April 2020, holding a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Computer Game Development, where he participated in office administration. In July 2021, Aaron commenced financial planning studies, and from July 2022 on, he began attending client meetings with financial advisers. Aaron completed the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning in October 2023, commenced his professional year in 2024, and passed the Adviser Exam in April 2024. In July 2024, Aaron became a Provisional Financial Planner and continues to assist financial advisers with ongoing support in client meetings while undertaking a wide range of economic, investment, and strategy research to help build tailored financial strategies that meet each client’s financial goals and needs. Aaron continues to strengthen his knowledge, competency, and skills in the provision of effective and trusted financial advice while building professional relationships with our clients.

Adviser Profile

Darren Rowe

Client Service and Compliance Manager

Darren joined Watzdorf Financial Planning in January 2008, having previously worked in the industry since 2005. In 2014, Darren was promoted to Client Service and Compliance Manager to oversee the day-to-day running of the practice. With a vast knowledge of the financial planning profession and its rules and practices, Darren is responsible for the supervision of our client service experience and ongoing client administration, as well as the production of advice documentation, implementation and settlement of new business, compliance management, and leading and mentoring the administration team. Darren holds a Diploma in Financial Planning as well as a Certificate III in Business Administration.

Lily Scali

Client Service Officer

Lily joined Watzdorf Financial Planning as a Client Service Officer in May 2010 and has worked in financial planning since 2005. A vital part of the team, Lily has a vast knowledge of the financial planning process, its rules and practices, and is responsible for handling client enquiries, ongoing client administration, and preparing a broad range of client documentation and correspondence. Lily is also part of the Investment Committee, which is responsible for making decisions regarding the investment portfolios used in clients’ accounts. Lily holds a Diploma in Financial Planning as well as a Certificate III in Business Administration.

Marcus Rautenbach

Client Service Officer

Marcus joined Watzdorf Financial Planning as a Client Services Officer in March 2022, having previously worked at Westpac as a Customer Assist Consultant specialising in financial hardship. Marcus is responsible for welcoming clients with a friendly smile, assisting them with their enquiries and administration needs, supporting the administration team, and preparing a broad range of client documentation and correspondence. He also attends client meetings to assist financial advisers with ongoing support. Marcus holds a Bachelor of Accounting and Finance, a Diploma in Financial Planning, an Advanced Diploma of Financial Services, and is currently studying towards the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning. Upon completion, in 2025, he will commence his professional year.

Associates

With the aim of providing additional finance related services to our clients we have established referral arrangements with other professionals. The planning process is designed to take into account all your finance related needs. During this process it may become apparent that you need access to expertise outside Watzdorf Financial Planning, at that point your adviser will be able to refer you to trusted individuals within other organisations..

DISCLAIMER

Werner Watzdorf and Manuela Watzdorf are authorised representatives of Watzdorf Nominees Pty. Ltd. and provide financial planning services for superannuation, managed investments, personal risk insurance, shares and self managed superannuation fund investment advice.

Although one of our Advisers may refer you to other professionals, each business is solely and separately responsible for the advice they each provide. In particular, Watzdorf Nominees Pty. Ltd. is only responsible for the financial planning services for superannuation, managed investments, personal risk insurance, shares and self managed superannuation fund investment advice provided by Werner Watzdorf or Manuela Watzdorf.