accountant

Policy & Regulation

FOFA likely to drive accountants closer to financial planners

Restoring accountants' licensing exemption is a positive development that will drive accountants and financial planners closer together, according to Patron Financial Adv...

Policy & Regulation

FOFA an industry own goal

The financial planning industry needs to remove all perceived conflicts of interest before it can be seen as a trusted profession, according to chartered accountant and f...

Accounting

Resistance to restricted licensing for accountants

Small Independent Super Funds Association wants definitive framework for accountants providing advice....

Editorial

Industry versus retail superannuation: A tale of two policies

Col Fullagar takes a look at two income protection policies - one is offered by an industry superannuation fund, while the other comes from a retail fund. While the premi...

Financial planning

Accountant exemption removal could lower financial advice access

The IPA says removing the accountants' exemption for financial advice on SMSFs could potentially lower access to advice rather than improve it....

People & Products

Matthews Steer makes two senior appointments

Matthews Steer Chartered Accountants has announced a boost to its accounting and financial planning teams with two senior appointments....

Superannuation

Removing accountant exemption good for SMSFs

If the accountant's exemption is removed when the second tranche of draft Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) legislation is released shortly, it will have positive implica...

Superannuation

SPAA fights on accountant advice

SPAA gives qualified welcome to FOFA legislation but maintains pressure with respect to accountant advice....

Financial planning

Australian Unity achieves $1 billion in FUA

Australian Unity Personal Financial Services has reached $1 billion in funds under advice, a two-fold increase over the past year....

Financial planning

Discovery lures former ANZ planner

A former star ANZ financial planner has credited the support offered by AXA/AMP’s Discovery program as a key part of the reason she decided to leave the security of...

Superannuation

Advice certificate a roadblock to SMSF property

A certificate of advice from a financial adviser or accountant has been identified as a potential major sticking point for clients looking to borrow to invest in a proper...

Editorial

Financial planners count the costs of client engagement

New research confirms consumers who use financial planners are generally happy with the service they receive but, as Mike Taylor reports, it also points to how many clien...

Superannuation

Advice certificate a roadblock to SMSF property

A certificate of advice from a financial adviser or accountant has been identified as a potential major sticking point to clients looking to borrow to invest in a propert...

Superannuation

SMSF satisfaction levels still high

SMSF trustees are more satisfied with their lot than most super members, but mostly when returns are high....

Financial planning

Granting powers of attorney

Estate planning is not just about executing wills and distributing assets upon an individual’s death; it should also include the possibility of mental or legal incapacity...