Australian Unity prepares to expand accounting channel
Australian Unity Personal Financial Services is preparing to expand its accountants alliance business, boosting the number of its accounting firms over the next few years.
Group executive Travers Stow said Australian Unity had built up the number of its accounting firms to 25 over a 12-month period, and he expected to expand at a similar rate.
Stow said the company decided to put more effort into expanding its accounting channel after accounting firms reacted “very favourably” to its business model.
The expansion would help generate revenue for the business by adding new accountancy firms as referrers or authorised representatives and encouraging existing accountant firms to grow their financial services businesses, Stow said.
The company has appointed Steve Davis as head of practice development, accountants, to drive the expansion. He will also be responsible for the group’s mortgage brokers and compliance team.
“We hired Steve because of his track record in building accountants channels at other financial services organisations. Steve comes to us with a wealth of experience after 26 years of senior management, financial planning and accountant channel experience in the financial services industry,” Stow said.
Davis will become part of the senior management team to help develop the strategic direction of the company.
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