We make the process easy
Letting someone into your financial life is one of the most intimidating things that many people do. Over the past 15 years of operating Summerhill Financial Services, many of our clients have become friends. We hope we can do the same with you.
Summerhill Financial Services was created out of a desire to help clients realise their potential as individuals, not to just make money. We carefully select our clients to ensure that our goals are aligned.
We invite you to get to know more about our Founder, Caroline Bell, Director and Senior Adviser, Alex Perini and Client Service Manager, Margaret Coulter.
Why we'd love you to work with
Experienced team, passionate about creating wealth.
You can access your investments 24/7 and watch it grow.
Chat to our team when you need to, so you're not alone.
We give you access to sustainable investing options.
We love travel, so we understand goal setting.
Who are the people behind Summerhill?
ALEX PERINI
Senior Adviser and Certified Financial Planner
Hey, I’m Alex.
I work with clients from all walks of life to understand what their personal and lifestyle goals mean to them and then create strategies to provide direction and clarity to help achieve these goals. My purpose is to increase our client’s financial well-being and provide them with confidence and peace of mind with their finances, so they can focus on what is important to them, such as family, lifestyle and career.
I’ve got…
- Bachelor of Business
- Master of Financial Planning
- Certified Financial Planner
- Advanced Diploma of Financial Services - Financial Planning
- Diploma of Financial Services - Financial Markets
When I’m not helping our clients work towards their goals, I can be found...
- Exploring the outdoors and connecting with nature - hiking, trail running, snowboarding
- Travelling and chasing new experiences - some favourite places include Spain, Northern Italy and Colombia
- Spending time with family and friends
If you’re dying to know more, here are 3 things you don’t know about me…
- Value experiences over material objects
- Prefer mountains over the beach
- Was potentially the last person on planet earth to join Facebook - but still, haven’t quite adopted this thing called ‘social media’
MARGARET COULTER
Client Service Manager
Hi there, I’m Margaret.
I work with people who have chosen to take control of their finances.
I give them the tools to deal with their paperwork while making their personal administration less of a burden.
I’ve got…
- Over a decade of experience
- Certificates III and IV in Business Administration
- The tools and expertise to work from anywhere
And when I’m not liaising with our clients and making things work behind the scenes, I can be found...
- Listening to music, reading a book, watching TV or taking a walk or run in the park
- I live with my partner and our two cats. I love animals and would have many more if I had the time and space
- Two of the most beautiful places I have travelled to have been Pamukkale, Turkey and Monument Valley, USA. However, I prefer quick getaways where I can go somewhere to relax within a few hours’ drive of home rather than long overseas trips. So I’m a big fan of places like Echuca, Yarra Valley, Phillip Island and the Grampians.
If you’re dying to know more, here are three things you don’t know about me...
- I grew up in a small country town, but I’m a city person at heart
- I have a Landcare forest named after me in Banyena, Victoria
- In my free time, I studied for a Diploma of Nutrition which I completed in 2020
See what Alex's clients say about working with him:
"Ignore the headlines and current noise, stay on your own and focus on your financial goals."
Alex Perini
Senior Adviser and Certified Financial Planner
CAROLINE BELL
Founder + Advisory Board
Hey, I’m Caroline.
I design tools and processes to help people have clarity, control and confidence with their finances, to help them know where they are and how they can make the most of their money to achieve their personal goals.
I’ve got…
- Bachelor of Commerce, University of Melbourne
- Diploma of Financial Planning (Australia)
- Certificate in Financial Planning (UK)
- Innovator of the Year 2020 Finalist (Women in Finance)
- Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 (Melbourne Business Network)
- Financial Standard Power 50 Most Influential Financial Advisers in Australia 2020
And when I’m not advising on Summerhill's business direction and strategy, I can be found...
- Travelling from my base in Berlin around Europe (cannot choose a favourite, other than enjoying exploring Eastern Europe)
- Relaxing and catching up with friends
- And although it may be embarrassing, when I really want to switch off, I play Pokemon Go and walk around 70km a week as a result
If you’re dying to know more, here are 5 things you don’t know about me...
- I also grew up in a small country town like Margaret, but definitely a city person at heart (although still appreciate getting out of the city)
- I have been working remotely for 8 years, as has the whole team
- I have 3 siblings, and at one stage, we all lived on different continents
- I also have Travel Agent and Personal Trainer qualifications
- I have achieved C2 level in German, but it will be a lifelong learning experience!
Come join us and begin your financial empowerment journey
You have goals to achieve
What do you want to do with your money? Until you know you won't have a purpose with saving and money management.
Learn and take action
We provide a safe space where you can learn and ask questions to give you the confidence to take action.
Achieve financial empowerment
Make better decisions and become more informed about the things that are most important to you.
Licensing, membership and fees
Summerhill Financial Services Pty Ltd is privately owned and has its own Australian Financial Services Licence (AFS Licence No. 300038). This means we have no affiliation with any institution or product provider, so can develop the most appropriate strategies for each client.
Alex Perini is a Certified Financial Planner, which is the highest level of education in financial planning globally.
We are a qualified tax relevant provider (QTRP) able to provide tax 'financial' advice services. As a tax 'financial' adviser we are able to provide tax financial advice strategies which involve understanding and applying tax laws to a client's personal circumstances. We must pass additional education and training requirements to be recognised as a qualified tax relevant provider (QTRP) able to provide tax (financial) advice services.
Fees
Summerhill Financial Services was set up as a fee-based practice, so it doesn’t accept investment commissions.
You’ll find all our fees fully outlined in our Financial Services Guide. We’ll agree them with you before you become a client of Summerhill Financial Services, so you know exactly what to expect.