Smart Private Wealth is proud to announce that Founding Director, Shannon Smit, has been recognised in the 2025 FS Power50, Financial Standard’s annual list of the 50 most influential financial advisers in Australia.
Now in its twelfth year, the FS Power50 celebrates advisers who are not only leaders in
technical excellence, but who actively shape the future of the advice profession - championing innovation, ethics, education, and
community impact.
This year’s list reflects an evolving industry - one driven by purpose, transparency, and a renewed commitment to client outcomes.
“This year’s 50 consists of advisers who have won industry awards, brought their local advice community together, supported charitable foundations, promoted the value of financial advice in the media and across digital channels, and more,” said Jamie Williamson, Managing Editor of Financial Standard.
With more than 11,000 votes cast by readers of Financial Standard and FS Advice – The Australian Journal of Financial Planning, this year’s Power50 list showcases advisers whose influence extends beyond their client base, into the broader social, technological, and economic landscape.
Of the 50 advisers named, 44% are women - a record high since the program began - while Victoria led all states with the strongest representation.
For Shannon Smit, this recognition marks another milestone in a career defined by innovation, integrity, and community focus.
As Founding Director of Smart Private Wealth and Smart Business Solutions Group, Shannon has built one of Australia’s most progressive integrated advisory firms, blending accounting, financial planning, business consulting, and lending under one roof.
Her approach to advice is distinctly goals-based - anchored not just in wealth accumulation, but in helping clients achieve meaningful outcomes that align with their values and lifestyle.
“Financial advice is deeply personal. It’s not always about maximising wealth for the sake of it - it’s about understanding what people
really want from their lives and aligning their money to those goals. For some, that means achieving work-life balance, helping their
children or grandchildren, or sharing their wealth during their lifetime. Our role is to make those goals achievable, sustainable, and
stress-free.”
Shannon Smit
Founding Director
Shannon’s philosophy of advice is both practical and human. She often describes her role as helping people be in the position to make
choices
- choices about their time, their families, and their futures.
That mindset has not only shaped the way Smart Private Wealth supports clients, but also how it contributes to the broader financial advice profession.
The term influencer once conjured images of social media personalities - but in financial advice, it carries a deeper meaning.
The FS Power50 honours those using their voice and visibility to restore trust in the industry and elevate public understanding of advice.
For Shannon, being named among Australia’s most influential advisers is a recognition of her advocacy for financial literacy, women in wealth, and technology-driven innovation - areas where she has consistently led from the front.
From hosting educational webinars and community workshops to mentoring emerging advisers, Shannon’s influence reaches far beyond her client base.
Her innovative leadership has earned national recognition, including:
These accolades reflect a consistent vision: to empower people - both clients and professionals - to use technology intelligently and focus on what truly matters.
At Smart Private Wealth, Shannon’s approach blends the analytical precision of an accountant with the empathy of a human adviser.
Whether through mentoring young advisers, championing female financial independence, or advocating for smarter use of technology, Shannon continues to inspire trust in the advice profession at a time when credibility matters more than ever.
“There’s been an incredible shift in our industry,” Shannon adds. “People are looking for authenticity and advice they can truly trust. Listings like the FS Power50 give Australians a transparent way to see who is leading with purpose. I’m honoured to be recognised among so many advisers who are genuinely making a difference.”
Shannon believes the future of advice will be goals-driven, tech-enabled, and emotionally intelligent.
As regulations tighten and consumer expectations rise, she sees the role of the adviser expanding beyond numbers - to guiding life decisions, financial wellbeing, and intergenerational legacy planning.
“True influence isn’t about scale - it’s about impact,” Shannon says. “It’s about being visible for the right reasons: educating, advocating, and empowering others to make smart, confident financial choices.”
Through Smart Private Wealth, she continues to redefine what modern financial advice looks like - professional yet personal, data-informed yet deeply human.
Smart Private Wealth is part of the Smart Business Solutions Group, based on the Mornington Peninsula. The multiservice firm provides integrated financial advice encompassing wealth management, retirement planning, superannuation, lending, and strategic tax advisory and business consulting.
At its core, Smart Private Wealth is committed to helping clients live the life they’ve worked hard for - through clear, goal-based strategies and holistic financial guidance.
“Our mission is simple,” Shannon says. “We help people be in the position to make choices - how they live, how they give, and how they retire. That’s real financial freedom.”
We truly believe everyone needs a financial plan. Our financial advice can really make a difference to you by helping you identify realistic goals and put strategies in place to achieve them.
