Industry fund boss worries about obligations to IFAs
The chief executive of Australia’s largest superannuation fund, Australian Super, has questioned the degree to which industry funds who use independent financial advisers (IFAs) will be held responsible for the quality of their advice.
Speaking at the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia national conference in Melbourne, Ian Silk acknowledged the number of IFAs utilised by his fund to deliver advice to members but said the regulatory environment was changing and giving rise to concerns about to what extent a superannuation fund would be held responsible for the quality of the advice.
He said the issue arose because of the manner in which the advice fee was deducted from a member’s Australian Super account.
Silk exampled circumstances where a complaint might be lodged about the quality of advice provided by an IFA utilised by Australian Super.
He said it was something which had not been considered when the fund first ventured into such arrangements with IFAs.
Recommended for you
ASIC has released the results of its first adviser exam to be held in 2025, with 241 candidates attempting the test.
Quarterly Wealth Data analysis has uncovered positive improvements in financial adviser numbers compared with losses in the prior corresponding period.
Holding portfolios that are too complex or personalised can be a detractor for acquirers of financial advice firms as they require too much effort to maintain post-acquisition.
As the financial advice profession continues to wait on further DBFO legislation, industry commentators have encouraged advisers to act now in driving practice efficiency.
