Philosophy
Every client is on their own investment journey.
We believe it is a shared journey with our clients, our role being to provide guidance and support across all areas of their financial life.
Our unique education process enables our clients to understand investing. With this understanding comes empowerment and the ability for our clients to provide informed consent to the advice we provide.
We respect your money and where that money has come from.
TEAM
Steven Scarano, Director | Accountant | Financial Planner
Steven is an experienced, qualified accountant and, more recently, has extended his qualifications into financial planning. Having started with Focus Wealth Advisers in 2019, his role progressed from providing assistance with the delivery of financial advice to becoming a qualified financial planner himself. He continues to manage the day-to-day operations of the business, while also offering accounting and taxation services.
Steven’s career in accounting came later in life after having run his own successful local business for over 10 years. This has given him the knowledge and understanding to work with individuals and business clients: he knows “what it takes” to help them achieve their financial goals.
Steven loves spending as much time as possible with his family and travelling to warmer climates. Steven holds a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Financial Planning. He is a member of the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) and is a Registered Tax Agent and Member of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), with a Professional Practice Certificate.
Catriona Sgouros, Director | Financial Planner
Catriona’s first career was as a language teacher, teaching French Language and Literature and English as a Foreign Language whilst living abroad. On returning to Australia, and with small children, Catriona decided to find work that enabled her to work from home and became a bookkeeper. It was then a natural progression into a career as a financial planner, which she commenced in 2014.
Catriona has always found the most rewarding part of her job to be speaking with clients, in particular those approaching or already in retirement: learning about their lives, how they got to where they are, and where they want, or need, to get too next. She is a strong believer in the power of a great financial strategy, reviewed regularly, to assist clients in achieving their goals while gaining peace of mind along the way.
In her free time Catriona loves to catch up with friends and family, read, travel, and go for walks while listening to true crime podcasts. She is also a dedicated supporter of various streaming services.
Catriona holds an Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours). She is a member of the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) and the SMSF Association.
Charlotte Vidler, Associate Planner
Charlotte embarked on her professional year with Focus Wealth Advisers in early 2024, holding a Bachelor of Commerce from The University of Sydney, majoring in Marketing and International Business. With a robust academic foundation and a diverse skill set honed through practical experience, Charlotte is eager to transition into the financial advisory sector. Currently pursuing a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning at The University of Technology Sydney, she aspires to leverage her expertise to make impactful contributions in this field.
Charlotte’s background in Marketing has nurtured her creative aptitude and problem-solving acumen, with a focus on building meaningful customer relationships. Having excelled in roles at a strategic B2B marketing agency and as a Client Services Manager, Charlotte is driven by a passion for financial education and empowerment, particularly among young individuals and women.
Charlotte finds joy in riding her horse, going on walks with her rescue greyhound, Elsie, and savouring a coffee at Nick’s in Bowral.
Linda Ford, Office Administrator
Linda has been an integral part of our team since 2017. As one of our two Office Administrators, she assists with, among other things, general client queries, the implementation of advice recommendations and the administration of corporate actions. She works with both advisers and clients to achieve the best outcome for our clients and is an adept problem-solver.
Linda has extensive experience in administration roles in various professional areas, including accounting and law.
Melinda Humphrey, Office Administrator
Melinda has a scientific background in natural resource management (B.Nat.Res(Hons)) and has extensive experience in administrative management roles in both government (National Parks & Wildlife Service) and private business.
Melinda assists with the onboarding of new client accounts, the implementation of advice recommendations and with everyday client enquiries.