Financial Planning: A Career of Purpose, Empowerment, and Balance

By Jawahir Zul Kepli

Practicing financial planning leads to career satisfaction and purpose? Read more on Jawahir story here

The author during her early days as an auditor

In today’s fast-paced, hyperconnected world, finding a career that blends professional growth with personal fulfillment is no easy feat. Many professionals chase titles, compensation, and status, only to discover that their time, health, or relationships suffer in the process. But for those who seek more than just a paycheck, those who value balance, impact, and personal evolution, financial planning may offer exactly what they've been missing.

This is my personal journey: from auditor to takaful agent, and finally to a licensed financial planner. It’s a story of clarity found through experience, shaped through reflection, and of a profession that does far more than manage money, it transforms lives.

Jawahir (left) with her former work colleague.

The Auditor’s Life: Reputable, Yet Relentless

My career began in a government-linked company (GLC) as an auditor. For years, I committed myself to the fast-paced structure, and responsibility the role demanded. From the outside, it was a stable and prestigious position. But behind the scenes, it demanded everything.

I would leave the house before 6:45 AM, and most days, only return around 9:00 PM after picking up my children from nursery and my parent’s house. My life became a repeating cycle of work, exhaustion, and survival. I had no time to breathe, to grow, or even to be fully present for the ones who mattered most.

While I learned a great deal about corporate finance, compliance, and technical accounting, the lifestyle was unsustainable. 

Eventually, I made a bold decision: I walked away.

Jawahir (left) receiving appreciation during her early career days

A New Chapter with Takaful: Balance with Boundaries

Transitioning into the takaful industry brought me the work-life balance I had craved. The change brought renewed energy and purpose. Unlike auditor, this role gave me more flexibility and the opportunity to truly engage with people. I wasn’t just reviewing number; I was helping real families protect their futures.

Over the next 16 years, I built relationships, earned trust, and grew into a respected takaful agent. Yet, despite the personal rewards, my professional growth hit a plateau. Advancing to management proved difficult. Recruiting agents was challenging, especially during the pandemic when many potential clients began prioritizing price over quality. In a market flooded with low-cost options, the value of skilled, caring service was often overlooked. The competition wasn’t just tough, it was disheartening.

Finding My True Calling: Holistic Financial Guidance

In the midst of these challenges, I had a realisation: my greatest joy came not from promoting policies, but from truly helping clients to improve their overall financial well-being.

I wanted to go beyond just risk protection. I aim to support my clients in building a complete financial foundation. From growing wealth and planning estates, to optimising taxes and calculating zakat, my focus is on using money wisely today to create meaning and security for the hereafter

Thus, in 2019, I enrolled in the Islamic Financial Planning certification course. I discovered that Takaful was just a fraction of what real financial planning involves. The world of financial planning is vast: from cash flow analysis and net worth evaluation, to goal setting, mindset coaching, investment strategy, retirement, and estate planning.

While my agency remained committed to delivering strong risk management solutions, I found myself drawn to exploring a more comprehensive approach to financial planning.  I knew that to serve clients holistically, I needed to take the next step.

The Transition: From Agent to Licensed Financial Planner

Eventually, I made another leap. I became a Licensed Financial Planner with Wealth Vantage Advisory.

Initially, I was drawn to another financial firm that mirrored the structure of my previous agency. Yet, something didn’t sit right. Deep down, I knew my passion lay in delivering comprehensive financial planning and advisory, not simply comparing takaful plans for clients, which remained the firm’s main focus.

Seeking guidance, I turned to my Islamic Financial Planner lecturer. She confidently shared her belief that there’s only one independent financial planning firm truly practicing the essence of financial advisory, backed by a well-structured system, para planners, and robust support teams.

I still remember her exact words then:

“Wealth Vantage Advisory is the best!”

It was a life changing decision. It was no longer about selling products, it’s about solving problems, providing regulated and comprehensive solutions tailored to individual life journey.

I came to understand that proper financial planning starts with the individual, not the policy. It requires deep conversations about:

• Current financial behaviors (cash flow)

• Assets and liabilities (net worth)

• Life aspirations (goals)

• Personal values and psychology (mindset)

It’s about asking the right questions, guiding clients to their own realisation, and creating personalised strategies that empower them to make informed decisions.

Only then can we suggest a path forward—one that respects a client’s unique reality. The solutions are built with them, not for them.  The power of choice still remains in their hands. 

Current Industry Focus:  Licensed or Not Licensed? 

Nowadays, takaful agents are required to complete the Financial Planning module on risk management and estate planning. This reflects the industry's growing recognition of broader financial needs.

However, passing a certification course and practicing as a professional are 2 different things. Knowledge without application is like a map never unfolded.

A Licensed Financial Planner isn’t just someone who studied a course—they’re someone registered with a licensed financial planning firm, operating under regulatory oversight, and held to the highest professional standards.

Sadly, people in the industry frequently misusing the title “financial planner” without the proper qualifications or licenses. It’s akin to a medical student who completed coursework but never stepped into a hospital, yet calls themselves a doctor. It’s misleading and compromises trust.

Clients Are Evolving—And So Must We

Today’s clients are better informed. They don’t want a sales pitch—they want advice that’s aligned with their best interests.

Licensed Financial Planners work under a custodian duty. This means their priority isn’t the commission, it's the client’s goals. Their role is part educator, part strategist, and part coach. And because they’re monitored by regulatory bodies, clients can trust that their interests are protected.

Engaging a true financial planner is no longer a luxury, it's becoming a necessity in the complex financial landscape we now navigate.

A Career That Changes Lives

If you’re contemplating a career with meaning, financial planning offers a rare intersection of personal fulfillment, professional autonomy, and positive social impact. Here’s why this career could be the right choice for you:

• Purpose-Driven Work: Every client is unique. Helping someone save for their children education, retire comfortably, or recover from financial hardship can be deeply meaningful.

• Long-Term Relationships: Financial planning is about trust. Clients become partners, not transactions.

• Autonomy & Empowerment: You’re not limited by products or quotas. You guide clients through possibilities and let them make empowered choices.

• Life Balance: Financial planners often have flexibility in their schedules, allowing time for both family and self-care.

• Community Impact: In a world of rising debt, financial misinformation, and economic uncertainty, planners can be crucial educators and advocates.

• Growth Opportunities: Unlike roles that depend on hierarchical promotion, planners grow through knowledge, experience, and trust.

• Diverse Skill Use: Emotional intelligence, technical knowledge, and communication skills all come into play.

• Continuous Learning: Financial landscapes evolve constantly—from tax regulations to market trends. The profession demands and rewards intellectual curiosity.

Final Reflections

My journey from an overworked auditor to a takaful agent, and ultimately to a licensed financial planner—wasn’t linear. It took courage, learning curve, and a willingness to question the status quo. But each step brought me closer to a career that feels true to who I am.

Financial planning became more than a career—it became a calling. Financial planning isn’t about charts or spreadsheets. It’s about people, their dreams, challenges, values, and decisions. It’s about helping someone make peace with their financial reality and giving them the tools to build the future they deserve. And it gave me the freedom to live, the tools to serve, and the purpose to grow. 

For those ready to embark on this path, here’s one final reminder: success isn’t measured by what you sell, but by how well you serve. If your heart is in the right place, and you’re willing to keep evolving, financial planning as a career path could be the best decision you ever make.

Jawahir Zul Kepli is a Licensed Financial Planner with Wealth Vantage Advisory. Drawing from her background as an auditor and takaful agent, she brings clarity, compassion, and a deep commitment to empowering Malaysians through effective financial planning.