financial advice

Financial planning

Cross-ownership a barrier to good financial advice: ASIC

The ownership of financial planners by product manufacturers creates one of the main barriers to improving the quality of advice in Australia, according to ASIC....

Policy & Regulation

FPA says ASIC should not baulk at asset-based fees

The FPA's Mark Rantall has told a Money Management roundtable that asset-based fees should not act as an impediment to ASIC providing class-order relief from opt-in....

Editorial

Taking on underinsurance requires a team effort

Underinsurance is a concern for the Australian community. However, Financial Services Council chief John Brogden believes the combined government and industry efforts cou...

Financial planning

FPA urges forward-looking approach to FOFA outcome

The FPA has outlined to members the outcome of the FOFA changes and has urged industry unity despite last week's controversial issues....

Policy & Regulation

FOFA phase-in helps groups develop scaled offerings

With the mandatory start date of the FOFA reforms deferred to 1 July 2013, dealer groups will have more time to develop a scaled advice offering that works for them, a te...

Financial planning

ASIC's platform review wins wide support

ASIC's platforms review has drawn support from a range of stakeholders for proposing providing additional consumer protection via capital adequacy and for placing the spo...

Editorial

Is the FOFA campaigning just getting started?

Financial planners should strongly welcome the delayed implementation of FOFA because shortly after its introduction will be the next Federal Election....

Policy & Regulation

Document hints at FOFA deal

A document has circulated purporting to show an agreement between the Financial Planning Association and Industry Super Network involving a trade-off, conceding opt-in ag...

Policy & Regulation

Opt-in opponents don't understand FOFA

Those who argue opt-in is unnecessary fail to understand the nature of proposed FOFA reforms, according to Sydney University academic Joanna Bird....

Financial planning

Financial adviser match-making service launched

A financial advice matchmaking service that seeks to match financial advice practices with dealer groups looking to acquire practices has been launched in Brisbane....

Superannuation

SMSFs and accountants - fitting a square peg into a round hole

Many have advocated that accountants simply get licensed if they wish to advise on SMSFs. However, Liz Westover claims the current single licensing model poses many diffi...

Editorial

FOFA set to give free kick to superannuation funds

The Government’s handling of FOFA risks entrenching an inappropriate advantage for superannuation funds with respect to the provision of financial advice, writes Mike Tay...

Financial planning

Financial advice and the business of managing change

This is a great time for financial advisers to reflect upon the concept of change in itself, and review some truths about effectively managing change, writes Sue Viskovic...

Financial planning

Why financial planners must learn to love learning

ASIC's regulatory framework around financial planner education is changing, which means many planners will have to pull their socks up and hit the books. Chris Kennedy re...