Disclosure Document
Information about your Merit Financial Services advisers, their qualifications, experience, and fee structure.
James (Jim) Mills — Financial Adviser
This FSG Part 2 contains information specific to your adviser and should be read together with the FSG Part 1. Paragem Pty Ltd has authorised your adviser to distribute this FSG.
Your Financial Adviser is James Mills (Jim). I am an Authorised Representative of Paragem Pty Ltd ABN 16 108 571 875, AFSL 297276, and am authorised by Paragem Pty Ltd to provide the financial services described in this FSG.
My Authorised Representative number is 416822.
Jim Mills is the Principal Adviser and Co-Founder of Merit Financial Services, a firm he established in 2010 with the objective of delivering high-quality, strategy-led financial advice to Australians seeking clarity, structure, and long-term financial stability.
With more than 25 years of experience across financial planning, investment strategy, taxation structures, and SMSF advisory, Jim is widely regarded as a trusted strategist within the Australian financial services profession. His expertise spans high-net-worth wealth management, business-owner financial strategy, SMSF and LRBA structuring, Centrelink optimisation, intergenerational planning, and compliance-aligned, tax-effective investment strategies.
Merit Financial Services operates as a strategy-first advisory firm, purpose-built around deep partnerships with the accountancy profession. These relationships ensure clients benefit from truly coordinated advice — uniting financial planning, tax outcomes, business strategy, and wealth optimisation across every stage of their financial journey.
The Merit Financial Services team supports everyday Australians and SME owners, delivering carefully engineered strategies that connect operational efficiency, profit maximisation, and tax-effective income extraction with each client's broader financial goals. Jim is passionate about ensuring Australians translate their hard work into meaningful and measurable wealth creation.
In an environment characterised by economic volatility, legislative change, and increasing complexity, Jim's approach centres on active, evidence-based strategies designed to support each client's evolving business and personal objectives. His long-standing reputation, technical depth, and strategic insight — combined with the strength of the Merit team — provide clients with confidence that their financial future is being managed with experience, diligence, and genuine care.
I am authorised to advise on and deal in the following products and services:
These fees should be used as a guide only. We will discuss your individual needs and agree our fees with you before we provide advice. The actual agreed fees will depend on the complexity of your circumstances, goals, needs, and the scope of advice we provide.
| Service | Fee Range (inc. GST) |
|---|---|
| Plan preparation and implementation (Statement of Advice) | $5,500 – $12,100 |
| Annual ongoing service fees | $6,700 – $32,000 p.a. |
Our ongoing services will be agreed with you in an ongoing services arrangement.
All fees and commissions disclosed in this FSG which are attributed to the services provided to you by your adviser are paid to Paragem Pty Ltd. Paragem Pty Ltd will pay up to 100% of those fees and commissions to Merit Financial Services. Merit Financial Services may pass on up to 100% of those fees and commissions to James Mills.
I am a Director of Merit Financial Services and am remunerated through the payment of salary.
Merit Financial Services may have referral arrangements with other professional service providers. If a client is referred to us, we may pay the referrer a fee or other benefit. We will record the details of any referral fees in the Statement of Advice we prepare for you. If we refer a client to another service provider they may pay us a referral fee. We will only refer you to third-party professionals where we believe it is in your best interests to do so. All fees and commissions are paid to Merit Financial Services.
| Referral Partner | Description | Payment Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Merit Insurance Pty Ltd | Insurance Services | 50% plus GST of all initial work referred. E.g. if initial fee or insurance commissions is $1,000, they receive $550 (incl GST). |
| Wards Accounting Pty Ltd | Accounting and taxation services | 20% plus GST of all initial work referred. E.g. if initial fee is $1,000, they receive $220 (incl GST). |
Who we may share your information with
To deliver our services, we may need to share your information with:
James Mills may engage the services of external services providers both here and overseas who supply administrative, financial or other services to assist us to provide financial and services to you.
A copy of our Privacy Policy is on Count's website www.count.au. We can also send you a copy if you contact us.
Sarah Mills — Financial Adviser
This FSG Part 2 contains information specific to your adviser and should be read together with the FSG Part 1. Paragem Pty Ltd has authorised your adviser to distribute this FSG.
Your Financial Adviser is Sarah Mills. I am an Authorised Representative of Paragem Pty Ltd ABN 16 108 571 875, AFSL 297276, and am authorised by Paragem Pty Ltd to provide the financial services described in this FSG.
My Authorised Representative number is 378390.
With 23 years of experience in financial services, Sarah is not just a financial planner—she is a trusted adviser dedicated to guiding clients toward financial success. As the founder of Merit Financial Services, established in 2010, Sarah has built a practice that stands apart from the rest. Unlike many financial firms, we don't take a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we work closely with a select group of clients, offering highly tailored strategies designed to create real financial impact.
Sarah's expertise spans investment, insurance, and wealth management, shaped by years in both corporate finance and private practice.
Our strong partnerships with prestigious accountancy firms mean our advice is always considered in the broader context of our clients' financial well-being.
At Merit Financial Services, we believe financial advice should go beyond numbers; it should be a lifelong partnership. We are strategists who take a proactive approach, mapping out clear pathways to help clients achieve their financial goals. Through careful planning and ongoing guidance, we provide the structure, confidence, and direction needed to turn aspirations into reality.
I am authorised to advise on and deal in the following products and services:
These fees should be used as a guide only. We will discuss your individual needs and agree our fees with you before we provide advice. The actual agreed fees will depend on the complexity of your circumstances, goals, needs, and the scope of advice we provide.
| Service | Fee Range (inc. GST) |
|---|---|
| Plan preparation and implementation (Statement of Advice) | $5,500 – $12,100 |
| Annual ongoing service fees | $6,700 – $32,000 p.a. |
Our ongoing services will be agreed with you in an ongoing services arrangement.
All fees and commissions disclosed in this FSG which are attributed to the services provided to you by your adviser are paid to Paragem Pty Ltd. Paragem Pty Ltd will pay up to 100% of those fees and commissions to Merit Financial Services. Merit Financial Services may pass on up to 100% of those fees and commissions to Sarah Mills.
I am a Director of Merit Financial Services and am remunerated through the payment of salary.
Merit Financial Services may have referral arrangements with other professional service providers. If a client is referred to us, we may pay the referrer a fee or other benefit. We will record the details of any referral fees in the Statement of Advice we prepare for you. If we refer a client to another service provider they may pay us a referral fee. We will only refer you to third-party professionals where we believe it is in your best interests to do so. All fees and commissions are paid to Merit Financial Services.
| Referral Partner | Description | Payment Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Merit Insurance Pty Ltd | Insurance Services | 50% plus GST of all initial work referred. E.g. if initial fee or insurance commissions is $1,000, they receive $550 (incl GST). |
| Wards Accounting Pty Ltd | Accounting and taxation services | 20% plus GST of all initial work referred. E.g. if initial fee is $1,000, they receive $220 (incl GST). |
Who we may share your information with
To deliver our services, we may need to share your information with:
Sarah Mills may engage the services of external services providers both here and overseas who supply administrative, financial or other services to assist us to provide financial and services to you.
A copy of our Privacy Policy is on Count's website www.count.au. We can also send you a copy if you contact us.
