Asset

Editor’s letter | Think laterally to ride out hard times

There is now an increase in listings of planning firms for sale and a decrease in interest from prospective buyers. We tell you why you should wait rather than sell.

If ASIC’s wary of platforms, they may go out of fashion

ASIC’s request for consultation on its regulation of ‘investor directed portfolio services’, or platforms, has raised some red flags in the industry.

Thirteen years after FoFA

By 2026-27, it’s estimated that advisers will be providing almost 2 million pieces of advice to clients compared with about 893,000 under a non-FoFA scenario.

It’s a buyer’s market as big guns wind back M&A

Acquisitions have slowed down and interest has dried up on the business-to-business side for financial advice practices.

Actuaries take centre stage, courtesy of GFC

The image and reality of actuaries is firmly disputed by Melinda Howes, for whom the beauty and symmetry of maths is like a good piece of classical music.

Aqua Private Wealth catches an offshore wave

Sean Abbott realised he could be carving out a niche in financial advice when his clients started leaving the country, and Aqua Private Wealth is the result.

Financial planning report: fix consumer confidence or fail

Experts say dump sign-on bonuses and risk-profiling techniques to restore the industry’s credibility and stop the bleed of clients and assets to the SMSF sector.

Researchers reveal what clients want

The majors spend huge sums on market research to attract new clients and they won’t share their findings with you. But some of the researchers might.

Don’t fixate on fixed interest: taking stock of bonds

Fixed-interest investments are stirring up fear in the US, but the local market is quite different. Yet advisers must know the risks to reap regular payments.

Time to release the safety catch as retirees live longer

Finding income in retirement requires a disciplined reliance on growth assets. This means many crisis-weary retirees may need to revise their current strategies.

Get the price right

An increasing number of advice firms are adapting their approach and are presenting a price model in which they are pricing for the whole job.

Know when to access your super

Timing is everything when it comes to pensions, and not following the rules could land you with a hefty tax penalty or even in jail.

Sci-fi super could be the reality we need

Advances in technology – including artificial intelligence – will deliver more efficient retirement fund strategies, such as life cycle investing and target date funds.

Stay ahead of the super changes

One day the government will stop tinkering with super legislation, but not today. So planners must understand reforms that will affect a client’s transition into retirement.

Residential wealth is built on shaky ground

In today’s economic environment many people, particularly retirees, should carefully consider the extent to which housing dominates their wealth.

Property and equities compete on an uneven playing field

If there were an ASX or Dow Jones equivalent for property, investors probably wouldn’t be so in love with the housing market.

Even though our quick poll in the lead-up to the FoFA reforms becoming mandatory highlighted the different positions of managers and front-line workers, one thing will always remain – trust is at the heart of a good adviser-client relationship.

TASA delay puts off a return to the books – but not for long

Financial planners may have a late reprieve from meeting qualification standards of the tax agent services regime, but only for another 12 months.

The changing face of Australia’s wealthiest people

On the 30th anniversary of its Rich List, BRW editor James Thomson tells Asset how the profile of Australia’s top 200 has evolved over the years – and why some just won’t budge.

Bear attack on market shows investors lack heart

Over-cautious investors didn’t trust in the recent rally enough and volatility has returned to the sharemarket.

Volatility tests fund models as boomers leave workforce

In their fifth annual review of asset allocation preferences around the world, Principal Global Investors and UK-based CREATE-Research found much to be optimistic about. The euro zone is still in one piece, for a start, China hasn’t crashed and the US didn’t fall off the “fiscal cliff”.

FSC opts for consumer-first policy in era of change

Cecilia Storniolo, Financial Services Council policy manager, helps financial planners understand their many legal requirements.

Future of finance is in younger advisers

A degree and career in marketing didn’t have what Meike Suggars was looking for, so she followed her father into the world of financial advice and hasn’t looked back.

Should accountants give financial advice?

The line that defines the jurisdictions of accountants and financial planners is looking more blurred than ever. The Tax Agents Services Act has turned the heat on advisers to sharpen their tax credentials, but should accountants be set free provide advice? Asset puts the question to the two camps.