financial ombudsman service

Financial planning

Vertically integrated advice vs self-licensing and non-aligned advice

Milana Pokrajac examines the advantages and disadvantages of vertically integrated advice compared to self-licensing and non-aligned advice....

Financial planning

Convergence of planning and accountancy unlikely

Planners and accountants unlikely to take each other’s work due to workloads involved. ...

Accounting

Accountants should avoid going to institutions for licence

Accountants who wish to avoid product distribution pressure should not join an institutionally aligned licence if they wish to provide advice....

Financial planning

ASIC mute on FOS structure

The corporate regulator welcomes FOS’ focus on timeliness, but makes no mention of long-term structural change....

Financial planning

FOS needs structural change, report finds

An independent review into FOS finds its organisational model has reached the end of its effective life and it needs change. ...

Financial planning

Claims FOS distracted by commercial matters

Federal ministers have been told FOS is being distracted by commercial borrowers such as property developers....

Editorial

EDR regime unravelling for planners

There exists plenty of evidence that the External Dispute Resolution regime and its interplay with PI cover is proving problematic for the financial planning industry. Mi...

Financial planning

Frivolous claims against planners driven by complex legislation

The increasing complexity of financial services legislation is responsible for the growing levels of frivolous legal claims against planners. ...

Superannuation

Assets of SMSF property promoter frozen

Adelaide-based SMSF property promoter restricted from travel after company collapse. ...

Editorial

Financial Systems Review a chance to move beyond FOFA

While there are many loose ends associated with the Future of Financial Advice regime, Mike Taylor writes that the Government should avoid allowing its Financial Systems ...

Financial planning

Systemic issues still haunt the industry

FOS has identified planner conduct and inappropriate claims handling as possible systemic issues during the December 2013 quarter....

Financial planning

AFA calls for review of EDR and PI

The AFA wants the Financial Systems Review to encompass both PI and the external dispute resolution processes....

Financial planning

James Kenny empowers the next generation of planners

James Kenny’s passion for educating up-and-coming stars of the profession saw him take home the 2013 Financial Planner of the Year award, Kate Cowling reports. ...