Meet Adv. Jacques Nelson
Adv. Jacques Nelson brought his small town values to the big city when he moved to Cape Town in 2009. He began his financial planning practice with the Hereford Group and soon became a mentor in the organization.
Prior to 2009 he co-owned, owned and managed several SMEs from a Fisheries, Butchery, Car-Dealership, Restaurant, Grocer and even a small farming operation while completing his LLB degree through distance learning. He believes that all these ventures taught him valuable lessons and gave him insight into the challenges business owners in South Africa are faced with every day.
Keeping true to his entrepreneurial spirit, he co-founded a packaging distributor called Hermanus Packaging in 2010 which he later sold for profit. While growing a successful financial planning practice he was also appointed as CEO of SA Grainfeed (Pty) Ltd. in 2015, a position he still holds today.
Adv. Nelson is also a National Shareholder of Hereford Financial Services (Pty) Ltd. where he has been an integral part of the organisation and from where he has managed his financial planning practice since 2009.
As a Financial Adviser he holds the industry to a high standard and therefore he is also the Chairman of the Western Cape Financial Adviser Board for one of the largest Insurers in South Africa.
Adv. Nelson was admitted as Advocate of the High Court of South Africa in 2016 in the Cape High Court. In the same year he also married the love of his life and they have since been blessed with two beautiful boys.
He believes the key to success is to always remain humble and surround yourself with the right people. The well-being of his staff is of utmost importance to him. His personal assistant, Nicole Roos, as well as his administrative team will ensure that every client experiences excellent service when dealing with his office.
“I serve my clients with humility, dedication and a passion for their financial well-being. In a world with ever changing financial products and Legislation, let me be your financial and legal council.” – Adv. Jacques Nelson
Education
Education, for me, is the most important asset we can have. You can never lose it once obtained, it assists us in our income producing activities, it provides us with the necessary knowledge and insight with which we can advance our lives and the lives of those around us.
My studies began with the South African School of Paralegal Studies. This is where I completed my Senior Paralegal Diploma with a distinction in Civil Litigation.
I then went on to complete my NQF 5 in Wealth Management through the University of Stellenbosch.
I also completed the Financial Services Board Regulatory Examinations in 2011.
Left Photo:
I graduated from the University of South Africa with an LLB degree, specializing in Insurance Law, Company Law, Internet Law, Conveyancing and Notarial Practice.
Right Photo:
I graduated from Milpark with an NQF 8 Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”
– Nelson Mandela
Interview with Career Junction
Career Junction Interview – click here to view the official interview
Describe what your job is all about.
I provide corporates, businesses and individuals with peace of mind and certainty when it comes to their financial and legal wellbeing. My practice is built on various synergies. It is through these synergies and the keen understanding that each client has their own unique set of circumstances and needs that I am able to provide a financial plan that is both financially and legally sound.
Describe a day in the life of a Financial & Legal Advisor.
One of the things I like most about my career is that each day is different and comes with its own unique set of challenges and rewards. Each day starts off with a bit of admin and a few phone calls and then I hit the road, spending the rest of my day having coffee with good friends (existing clients) and meeting new ones. I refer to my clients as friends because I enjoy spending time with each of my clients. A rule I adopted early on in my career is to only take on clients I enjoy dealing with.
What qualifications do you need to become a Financial & Legal Advisor?
To start off as a Financial Advisor the minimum requirements is a Grade 12. You will obviously be provided with the necessary training by your company before you will be allowed to render advice on your own. Most well established companies have excellent mentorship programmes that will greatly assist you in your first 24 months. Once you start rendering advice, you will be required to complete your NQF 5 which is a National Certificate in Wealth Management. Thereafter you can further your studies by completing the NQF 6 Diploma in Financial Planning.
Once you have finished the NQF 6, or if you have a relevant degree, you can study towards your NQF 8, which is a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning. Thereafter you can write the FPI board exam and if you pass you will receive the CFP designation behind your name, which stands for Certified Financial Planner. There are also then further specialisation courses after that and there are also various regulatory examinations that you have to write in between.
Who/what inspires you to get up every morning and go to work?
The fact that I could meet someone today that will take out a retirement annuity that will change their lives in 30 years from now. Or provide a father with a life insurance policy that might make sure his children are able to have a proper education if he is no longer around. In my career it only took one claim to realise that what we do really changes lives. We protect kids when parents are no longer there, we protect families when a spouse passes away. The more people I can meet, the more lives I can change.