Count advisers to benefit from expanded products and services
Count Wealth Accountants has announced that reverse mortgage products provided by ABN Amro, Bluestone Equity Release and Macquarie Mortgages would be added to its recommended list.
Speaking at the Count 21st Annual Financial Planning Conference in New Zealand, Count director and chief operating officer Marianne Perkovic said all providers were members of the Senior Australians Equity Release Association of Lenders (Sequal), and offered “quality and cost-effective products”.
In addition, Count advisers will have access to an online self-managed super fund (SMSF) deed update service, which will be provided by Townsends Business and Corporate Lawyers.
Perkovic said: “The Supercentral service includes establishment and automatic updates of the client’s SMSF deed, so changes to super legislation or SMSF rules will no longer require the adviser to make constant amendments to the trust deed.
“As well as eliminating non-chargeable time associated with updates, it will also be more cost efficient for clients.”
Supercentral will also be expanded in the near future to cover family trusts and company formations, and will be available via Count’s proprietary software, Wealth Planner.
At the conference, Perkovic also commented on the recent budget announcements, saying that despite simplification of the superannuation regime, advice would still be essential.
She said: “Superannuation still remains a complex system for the average Australian and is even more attractive as a result of the budget tax changes.”
Perkovic added that Count will be making a submission to Treasury regarding the proposed level of undeducted contributions and is calling for transitional arrangements to be put in place for clients who have recently received advice or are about to retire.
Under the new undeducted contributions rules, Perkovic said clients with residential property investments, which take time to sell before proceeds can be made to super, will be the most disadvantaged.
Deputy chair Barry Lambert also announced that chair Len Spencer has indicated his intention to step down after the 2006 Annual General Meeting.
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