CountPlus lifts average profit margin to 15%
CountPlus has announced an average firm profit margin of 15 per cent for fiscal 2018, compared with 12 per cent in 2017.
The network of accounting and advice firms also resumed payment of dividends with 1.0 cent a share to be paid on 17 October 2018 to shareholders on the register as of 28 September 2018.
The group also said its net cash position stood at $8.975 million as at 30 June 2018.
CountPlus said it is one year into a two-year transformation, with 80 per cent of its firms having refreshed their leadership teams, which has led to increased revenues, and the group having repaid $11.6 million in interest-bearing debt.
“Our combined actions over the past year place CountPlus on a strong footing to become Australia’s leading network of professional accounting and advice firms,” CountPlus chief executive Matthew Rowe said in a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange.
“Our future expansion will be driven by partnering with quality member firms who fit within our ‘family photograph’ and can add to our accounting and financial advice skills.
“We will continue to align our member firms through shared values, common aims and a strong sense of community. Over the next three years, the company will align, build and grow its core business.”
Recommended for you
With regional and rural suburbs exhibiting high spare capacity to invest, Money Management speaks to three regional advisers on the opportunities beyond the major cities and the importance of a strong network.
Platform consolidation is expected to accelerate among financial advisers this year, as software company Finura pinpoints which two platforms are set to be the winners, thanks to this trend.
The software provider has made several appointments in its APAC wealth propositions team, with a focus on driving growth across digital advice, Xplan and strategic partnerships.
The platform has announced it plans to close its Xplore managed discretionary account service in 2026 which holds $2 billion in funds under administration.