CORNERSTONE ADVISORY - Key Persons

Andrea has worked in the financial planning sector since January 1999. Andrea gained extensive experience in her role as a Financial Planner in the Townsville office of Morgans Stockbroking for a period of 12 years, where she specialised in providing advice in the superannuation and Self-Managed Superannuation Fund space. After a three year hiatus from the industry to raise her family, Andrea joined Findex Financial Services, working in a range of non-advisory roles during her 6 year tenure with the group. Andrea has recently joined Darren Franklin at Cornerstone where she provides technical support as a Paraplanner. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Commerce from James Cook University and a Diploma of Financial Planning from Deakin University. She is also a CFP member of the Financial Planning Association and a Specialist member of the Self Managed Superannuation Association.

Job Titles:

• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER

Darren is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional and has over 30 years experience across the financial services industry assisting clients and charitable organisations to meet their financial needs goals and objectives through all types of market conditions. Being in a privileged position to be able to improve the financial health and well being of many individuals and corporations, he is also passionate about assisting those individuals and families that need a helping hand through volunteering roles in local community groups and as a Foundation Trustee of the United Apostolic Volunteers Foundation. Darren enjoys spending time with his family and friends where there is plenty of good food, wine and laughter. Darren Franklin started as a financial adviser in 2005 after a 17 year career across various roles with a major trading bank, employed initially by Lloyd Hurst and later Gary Hayman under the Bridges Financial Services License before moving out on his own in 2008 in partnership with the senior partners at accounting firm Flor Hanly in Mackay (Cornerstone Advisory Group was born at that time but with Bridges promoting its Brand, Cornerstone was relegated to just a name on a piece of paper). Cornerstone or "The cornerstone" is one that is placed at the corner of a building on which the whole foundation and the whole building gets it strength - this analogy can be applied to Financial Planning in that a good plan can provide the foundation and building blocks for a strong future which then allows the individual to go about their lives in a more confident manner and with improved health and well being. Darren started with no clients in 2005 and with the support of the Flor Hanly partners the business grew and in 2013 Darren moved to full ownership while retaining the referral networks of the accounting firm which stands to this day. In 2020 corporate changes within the IOOF group meant that we had to move Licenses and Cornerstone Advisory Group came into being.