One on One: An Interview with Broker Trefor Kingdon

At Select, our team is made up of a talented group of individuals from a range of backgrounds in finance, sales, accounting, and real estate. The variety of skills each of our members bring to the workplace adds a fresh dynamic to how our team works together to bring our clients the very best service and advice.

Today we sat down with Trefor, one of our brokers at Select, whose earlier background delves into the areas of accounting and tax. In our discussion, he was kind enough to share some wisdom about working in the finance industry and his experience as a broker at Select.

What is a key lesson you have learned throughout your career?

Throughout my whole time working in finance, I have discovered one thing: always deliver on the promises you make in business.

Why did this type of work interest you?

I had strengths in finance, accounting, and tax, so I knew that it would make for an enjoyable career. What interested me the most is you get to meet an assortment of people from all walks of life; singles, couples, business operators or entrepreneurs. For me, this job is about the diversity of people I get to work with.

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?

Providing my clients with financial solutions that make them happy. In what I do, there are no small transactions – clients are usually buying a home or an investment property – and in helping them with their finances, I get to help fulfil their dream of owning a home.

What made you want to move into mortgage broking from accounting?

Well, firstly I could make more money! (laughs) But in all honesty, it’s about helping people fulfil their visions and dreams.

How have your skills from working in accounting and tax benefitted your role as a mortgage broker?

I think having a strong aptitude for numbers is incredibly important in this field. It certainly helped me to find strength in business and commercial property broking, which is still quite a small niche; not many brokers have a strong understanding of complex financial entities and scenarios. My skills have allowed me to understand and analyse financial statement and reports.

What is a piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to move towards a career in finance?

I would say that someone wanting to work in this field should at least spend a few years in the banking or accounting system before moving onto mortgage broking. It enables you to develop an excellent basis and understanding of finance, which you need to become a good broker. Having experience behind you is critical when giving advice to clients about their finances.

What abilities or personal qualities do you believe contribute to success in your field?

You need to have technical and product knowledge, be able to grasp and analyse someone’s financial position quickly, and always uphold the values of honesty and integrity. In the end, it’s not about the transaction – it’s about the outcome for the client.

What are some of the strengths and challenges of the job?

The fulfilling element of the job is in meeting so many different people and helping them reach their goals. You also get to determine your own hours, and schedule appointments to suit your time frame. However, the challenges rely heavily on the state of the current market conditions. While the market definitely factors into how much business you’ll receive, you also need to continuously maintain your professional knowledge. You have to be up to date with all product and technical changes to be most helpful to your clients.

At Select, we offer no-obligation, quality, and free advice to help you reach your financial goals. To arrange an appointment call us on (08) 9417 3399 to meet with one of our friendly brokers and discuss your financial options.