The IFA Growth Guide: 5 Signs It’s a Good Time Implement a Growth Strategy for your Financial Services Firm 
The most profitable businesses are typically those that scale, and do so efficiently. In the services sector though, efficiently expanding a business can be particularly difficult. That’s because the adviser often comprises of the core value of their business; the stuff that makes your business unique, and keeps your clients coming back to you. Growth […]
What Auditors Want – Hear it Directly from an Auditor
Every year we get asked by advisers why our auditors ask for so much documentation relating to investment decisions or certain transactions within SMSF’s. As we prepare to enter a new financial year, we thought that it would be timely to understand some of the main issues our auditors look for when reviewing SMSF […]
What COVID-19 Has Taught Us About the Offshoring Model
Facing rapid market change and regulatory conditions, Aussie financial services firms are partnering with third-party firms more than ever before. Most often, this is an economic decision to remove tedious low-value work from teams who can focus on high-yielding activities, by re-allocating the services to regions with lower pay. Meanwhile, some firms opt to enhance […]
Sharemarket Bear Trap or Bargain for SMSF Investors?
This correction could turn out to be the opportunity of a lifetime or a nasty sharemarket bear trap, and the difference can boil down to knowing what you don’t know.
The Sole Trusted Adviser
“What do clients want?” It’s the question that advice businesses ask themselves. For a long time the financial services industry has been widespread with providers engaging with a client individually for all facets of their lives. Mortgage brokers, financial advisers, accountants, bookkeepers and banks to name a few have historically had one on one relationships […]
Discretionary investment trusts as an option for SMSF members with balances $1.6m or more
With the policies outlined in the Super reform now in full swing, it’s fair to say that the advice needs for clients have increased, but the type of strategies they require have also changed. Liz Westover from PWC discussed this topic in depth at the recent SMSF Association conference where it was reiterated that for […]
The evolution of financial services is squeezing the middle ground
A core competency of most advisers and accountants in the financial services sector has traditionally revolved around their technical competency. Whilst this is still clearly a required skillset, I believe that most prospective employers simply assume a minimum level of technical competency and are increasingly looking for a broader set of skills. The difficulty […]
Bitcoin and cryptocurrency investment in an SMSF
SMSFs can invest in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency investments including Ethereum, IOTA, Ripple, Dash, Litecoin, Monero and Cardano. The recent surge in the price of Bitcoin has many investors seriously looking at crypto-currency as a part of their SMSF investment portfolio. So, can an SMSF invest in Bitcoin and crypto-currency, and if so, what must […]
Benefits of Managed Accounts
In an age of ever changing regulatory and compliance environment, and increasing pressure to deliver quality financial product advice to clients, Managed Accounts have become increasingly popular. According to findings from the recent Netwealth AdviceTech Report indicated that 35% of advisers already using them today, with 57% of advisers planning to adopt a managed […]
How ‘zero touch’ SMSF Admin can help your business
Technology is quickly shaping the SMSF industry and is impacting all involved. Now, let’s not get caught up in all the hype around ‘Artificial Intelligence’ and ‘machines taking over jobs’ and really focus on the shift that is happening as we speak. Technology and data advancements are driving operational efficiencies and increasing the sophistication […]