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Superannuation and retirement planning that connects to everything else.

financial planner gold coast.

From our Burleigh Waters office, we provide practical advice for individuals and businesses to make smarter financial decisions.

Aerial view of a coastal city with a skyline of modern skyscrapers, sandy beaches, and the ocean in the background during sunset.

Super sorted by the same people who know your tax, your business, and your goals.

Most Gold Coast business owners treat superannuation as an afterthought. Filed alongside the tax return, not revisited until there's not much left to do about it.

The super decisions you make while you're still building are some of the biggest financial calls you'll make.

Our financial planning team work alongside your accountant, same office, same numbers. Whether you're running an SMSF, consolidating old funds, or working out what retirement actually looks like for you, the advice connects to your real tax position and business structure.

Supporting individuals and businesses across Australia.

See all our Google reviews ⭐ 4.3

Based in Burleigh Waters, we work with individuals and businesses across Robina, Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach, Varsity Lakes and surrounding Gold Coast suburbs, Brisbane, as well as clients throughout Australia.

What we can help with.

Self-managed super funds

01SMSF setupWe handle the full establishment of your self-managed super fund: trust deed, trustee appointments, ATO registration, and bank account setup. Getting the structure right from day one avoids costly corrections later.SMSF 02SMSF administration and reportingAnnual financial statements, member statements, and ATO lodgement for your fund. Everything prepared to ATO deadlines so your SMSF stays compliant and your records are always in order.Admin 03SMSF auditEvery SMSF must be audited annually by an approved auditor. Damien McKern is a Registered SMSF Auditor with ASIC, with over 10 years of compliance audit experience. We also complete audits for trust accounts used by accountants, lawyers, and real estate agents.Audit 04Investment strategy reviewThe ATO requires every SMSF to have a documented, up-to-date investment strategy. We review yours regularly to make sure it reflects the fund's objectives, risk profile, and the members' circumstances.Strategy

Retirement planning

01Transition to retirementOnce you reach preservation age, a transition to retirement strategy can reduce your working hours without reducing your take-home income. The tax position needs to be modelled properly before you act.TTR 02Account-based pension setupWhen you retire, moving your super into pension phase changes how the fund is taxed. We set up account-based pensions, calculate minimum drawdown requirements, and help you understand what the income stream looks like in practice.Pension 03Retirement income planningHow long will your money last? What combination of super, investments, and age pension gives you the best outcome? We model your retirement income across different scenarios so you can make decisions based on numbers, not guesswork.Income 04Age pension entitlementsThe assets test and income test catch people out. We review your position before you apply so you understand where you sit, what counts, and whether structuring decisions could affect your entitlement.Pension

Super strategy

01Contribution strategiesConcessional and non-concessional caps, carry-forward contributions, spouse contributions, downsizer contributions. The rules change regularly and the penalties for getting it wrong are significant. We map out the right approach for your situation each year.Contributions 02Super consolidationMultiple super accounts mean multiple sets of fees and duplicated insurance premiums. We review what you have, check whether consolidation makes sense given your insurance cover, and handle the rollover process.Consolidate 03Insurance within superLife, TPD, and income protection can be held inside super, often at a lower cost. But the cover needs to match your actual situation. We review what you currently hold and whether it's adequate, before anything changes.Insurance 04Super for business ownersBusiness owners often underfund their super while building the business, then scramble to catch up. We work through contribution strategies, whether an SMSF suits your structure, and how to use the small business CGT concessions to boost your retirement balance on exit.Business

Superannuation FAQs.

Yes. We work with individuals, families, and business owners across the Gold Coast from our Burleigh Waters office. Whether you need an SMSF set up, a retirement income plan modelled, or a contribution strategy reviewed, we handle it locally and in person.
An SMSF is a super fund you control directly as trustee. You choose the investments, manage the administration, and take on the compliance obligations. It is not right for everyone. We can model whether it makes sense for your situation before you commit.
Most people don't know, and most projections are too simple. The honest answer depends on when you want to retire, what income you need, what other assets you have, and whether you'll be eligible for any age pension. We model this across different scenarios so you can see where the gaps are and what to do about them.
We handle everything from the trust deed and ATO registration through to annual financial statements, member statements, tax returns, and the mandatory independent audit. Damien McKern is a Registered SMSF Auditor with ASIC, with over 10 years of compliance audit experience. The audit is completed in-house.
Yes. Our financial planning team are licensed and authorised to provide financial advice. Our Financial planning services are provided by authorised representatives of Count Financial Limited, holder of Australian Financial Services Licence No. 227232. Our team can explain the advice process, the services we provide, and the relevant Financial Services Guide before you decide whether to proceed.
es. We look at what fund you're in, what you're paying in fees, whether your investment option matches your situation, whether your insurance cover inside super is adequate, and whether your contribution strategy is working as hard as it should. Most people haven't had this conversation since they started working.
The honest answer is: it depends on your goals and lifestyle. ASFA's February 2026 figures put a comfortable retirement at $630,000 for a single person and $730,000 for a couple. But those are retirement targets, not age 50 targets.
Business owners often have lower balances at 50 because they've put everything back into the business. McKern provides super strategy and retirement income modelling on the Gold Coast.

Compliance & Licensing

Financial Services Guide

These documents explain how we're licensed, how we're paid and what you can expect when working with us. Please read both parts together before engaging our financial planning services.

While we offer both financial planning and taxation/accounting services, taxation and accounting services are not provided under Count Financial Limited's Australian financial services licence and are not the responsibility of Count Financial Limited.

Part One

About Count Financial

Information about Count Financial Limited, available financial services and products, remuneration, potential conflicts of interest and the complaints process.

Part Two

Our Adviser Profile

Information specific to McKern Strategic and its advisers, including authorised services, fees, referral arrangements and adviser experience.

*McKern Strategic Pty Ltd ABN 15 610 097 508 is an Authorised Representative of Count Financial Limited ABN 19 001 974 625, AFSL No. 227232. Count Financial Limited is a subsidiary of Count Limited ABN 111 26 990 832, an Australian public company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX:CUP). The information on this web page is general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs.

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Let’s work together.

Get in touch by sending us a message or contact us at our office.

McKern & Associates

Gold Coast accounting, finance and financial planning. Based in Burleigh Waters, serving clients across Australia.

Building 4, Burleigh Office Park
5 Executive Drive, Burleigh Waters QLD 4220

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McKern & Associates Pty Ltd (ABN 71 099 997 501) is an Australian proprietary company registered with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), based in Burleigh Waters on the Gold Coast. McKern & Associates Pty Ltd is an authorised representative of Count Financial Limited (ABN 19 001 974 625), holder of Australian Financial Services Licence No. 227232. Count is owned by Count Limited ABN 111 26 990 832 of GPO Box 1453, Sydney NSW 2001. Count Limited is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. The information on this web page is not financial product advice and is provided for information only. Information on this website is based on current regulatory requirements and laws, which may be subject to change. While care has been taken in the preparation of this information, no liability is accepted by Count, its related entities, agents and employees for any loss arising from reliance within.

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