Australian Unity doubles funds under advice


Australian Unity's Personal Financial Services division doubled its funds under advice (FUA) during 2011-12, bringing it to just under $2 billion.
According to the company's annual report, FUA increased by 91 per cent to $1.96 billion in 2011-12 compared to the previous year's $1.02 billion.
The number of advisers at Australian Unity also rose by 54 per cent to 109 at 30 June 2012. Adviser numbers have more than doubled since 2010, according to the report.
"Strong organic growth of the business was complemented by the acquisition of a majority interest in Certainty Financial, which has substantial revenue and funds under advice," said the report.
Personal Financial Services posted a full-year loss before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of $2.64 million in 2011-12 - an improvement on last year's $4.56 million loss.
"Personal Financial Services is on track to produce a maiden annual positive result in the year to 30 June 2013, as forecast in last year's annual result," said the report.
The number of accountant firms in the Personal Financial Services referral program also increased by 48 per cent to 242 at 30 June 2012.
Australian Unity as a whole (including its funds management and healthcare divisions) posted a net profit after tax of $22.3 million, down 12.8 per cent on the previous year.
The company saw revenues of $1.12 billion, up 10.6 per cent on 2010-11. Funds under management were $12.2 billion, up 2.5 per cent.
Recommended for you
Financial Services Minister, Stephen Jones, has assured the cost and time to enter the financial advice profession will soon be halved, as shadow treasurer Angus Taylor pledges to reach 30,000 advisers.
The positive results of the latest financial adviser exam have helped the advice profession reach 15,600 yet again, according to Wealth Data analysis.
Financial advice firms have told Adviser Ratings they are planning to increase their compliance spend by almost a third, including on enhancements to their cyber security which ASIC has identified as an enforcement priority.
The digital advice platform is officially launching into the financial advice sector, offering up its services to practices as a means of engaging with the next generation of clients.