Money Management APRIL 2014 Little black book Overview The field manual to choosing your dealer group Brought to you by Principal Sponsor CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 1 Overview Foreward Welcome to the inaugural edition of the “Little Black Book of Dealer Groups”! Madison Financial Group is pleased to be the major sponsor of this fantastic initiative developed by Money Management and Pinnacle Practice. The aim of the book is to guide readers through the difficult due diligence process of choosing a dealer group and to also reveal some of the ‘secrets’ of matchmaking success based on Pinnacle’s extensive business experience. As a dealer group we often get asked the question – why should an adviser join Madison? Multiply this question many times across the multitude of dealer group in the market place and you can see that potential advisers have an unenviable task in filtering out those firms that may or may not suit their needs. There must be an easier way - both for advisers and dealer groups alike. Madison was pleased to get involved because it allows us to put out in the public forum a consistent message of what we stand for as a dealer group, how we differentiate ourselves from the others and what type of adviser would be attracted to our group. For example, Madison Financial Group is an independent, boutique AFSL with a 30-year pedigree and which is owned and operated by advisers, staff and management. Madison’s success is underpinned by an unashamedly high standard of compliance and a trademark 3-Filter Investment Research & Selection process monitored by the Madison Investment Committee. This provides advisers with comfort around an Approved Product List which will not only meet their client’s needs but also meets the stringent regulatory requirements of a licensee. With this sort of information for each dealer – but in much more detail – the “Little Black Book of Dealer Groups” becomes the ‘bible’ for a new adviser entering the market for the first time or even experienced advisers looking for a new home. We hope you enjoy the contents of the book and it truly does assist in helping advisers making the right choice of dealer group in their quest for success. Giulio Russo General Manager, Madison Financial Group CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 3 About the publisher Cirrus Media Pty Limited Tower 2, 475 Victoria Avenue Chatswood NSW 2067 Mail: Locked Bag 4700 Chatswood Delivery Centre Chatswood NSW 2067 Tel: (02) 8484 0888 Publisher: Zeina Khodr Tel: (02) 8484 0798 [email protected] Managing Editor: Mike Taylor Tel: (02) 8484 0712 [email protected] Senior Journalist: Jason Spits Tel: (02) 8484 0910 [email protected] Journalist: Kate Cowling Tel: (02) 8484 0857 [email protected] Journalist: Malavika Santhebennur Tel: (02) 8484 0898 [email protected] Journalist/Production Coordinator: Priya Prakash Tel: (02) 8484 0823 [email protected] Journalist/Researcher: Melina Gouveia Tel: (02) 8484 0890 [email protected] ADVERTISING Group Sales Manager: Kelly Purcell Tel: (02) 8484 0955 Mob: 0423 846 417 [email protected] Senior Account Manager: Suma Donnelly Tel: (02) 8484 0796 Mob: 0416 815 429 [email protected] PRODUCTION Sub-Editor: Daniel Winter Graphic Designers: Andrew Lim, Susanna Huang Subscription enquiries: (02) 8484 0666 Money Management is printed by Bluestar Print, Silverwater NSW. All Money Management material is copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part is not allowed without written permission from the Editor. © 2014. Supplied images © 2014 Shutterstock. Opinions expressed 4 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK Money Management Launched 27 years ago, Money Management has firmly established itself as the leading source of news and analysis for Australia’s financial services sector. In this time, Money Management has rapidly evolved from a B2B newspaper into a respected provider of accredited education and training, research, professional support and advocacy as well as thought leadership in the financial services space. While it remains the most read print and online publication by financial planners in Australia and is widely recognised as a leading advocate for this profession, Money Management’s growing audience is a diverse one that also includes fund managers, accountants, risk advisers and super fund trustees. Money Management is also the clear publication of choice for finance institutions - both domestic and international - seeking to connect with the high earning and well-educated professionals working in Australia’s financial services sector. Having set the standard for print and online publishing in financial services for two decades, Money Management recently broke new ground with the sector’s first and to-date only weekly tablet magazine app. Quickly establishing itself as one of the most successful titles on Apple Newsstand, the Money Management app delivers users the full breadth of the content Money Management generates not only in print and online but also from events, research and training and thought leadership. ABN 80 132 719 861 www.cirrusmedia.com.au © Copyright Cirrus Media, 2014 in Money Management are not necessarily those of Money Management or Cirrus Media Pty Limited. About the author About the author Pinnacle Practice Level 19, Waterfront Place, 1 Eagle St, Brisbane Qld 4000 PO Box 517, Paddington Qld 4065 Phone: +61 (7) 3360 0237 Email: [email protected] Web: pinnaclepractice.com.au Anne Fuchs is the founder of Pinnacle Practice, a specialist consulting business known for growing financial planning firms and dealer groups. Anne launched the My Dealer Group service in March 2012 to provide third party advice to financial planning and accounting businesses conducting their licensing due diligence. The service is underpinned by specialist knowledge of dealer groups and their business models. It is overlaid with unique insights on the people and culture of these licensees in order to give business owners advice on the most suitable licensing solution for their business. This could range from self licensing through to joining either an institutionally or independently owned dealer group. Anne also provides ongoing consulting and research services to dealer groups looking to understand how to retain and attract advisers in order to achieve their growth objectives. Prior to establishing Pinnacle Practice in 2009, Anne worked in practice management and dealer group management roles with ING Australia. Anne joined the financial services industry in 1997 working for Bankers Trust Australia within their adviser services and business development teams. She has also worked for Colonial First State in their business development team in London. Anne has a Bachelor of Arts in Politics, the ASFA Superannuation Management Certificate and has completed the Macquarie Graduate School of Management Executive Leadership Program. Anne also has her Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning. CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 5 Contents 14 08 Look at your current dealer group 50 Dealer Group Table 52 Why read this Little Black Book? 6 | LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF DEALER GROUPS Directory Contents Case Study: Madison Financial Group Case Study: Infocus Wealth Management Case Study: Pathway Licensee Services Case Study: Lonsdale Case Study: Bridges 18 Look in the mirror | 12 26 Understand the financial advice landscape | 23 36 Collate your business | 30 40 Shortlist potential options | 34 Make a decision | 46 42 Talk to your stakeholders | 49 Case Study: Consultum Financial Advisers 44 Further reading | 64 LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF DEALER GROUPS | 7 WHY READ THIS LITTLE BLACK BOOK? Overview You’ve changed! 8 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK WHY READ THIS LITTLE BLACK BOOK? Overview Why is this little black book important for the financial advice market? A re you thinking about calling it quits? Maybe you and your dealer group have grown apart, your dealer group has changed, or you’re dissatisfied with what services they are providing. Maybe you’re sick of the whole idea of being married to a dealer group and are thinking about f lying solo and obtaining your own licence. Or maybe you’re totally new to this financial services relationship game. With the recent regulatory changes, you might be an accountant thinking that now is the right time for your business to offer clients financial advice. Maybe you are trying to find the right licensing solution for your business? If one of these scenarios resonates, this Little Black Book is worth keeping close. This Little Black Book will guide you through the difficult due diligence process of choosing a dealer group and reveal some of the secrets of matchmaking success. According to Core Data’s 2013 research on adviser movement and profitability, 14.4 per cent of financial planning businesses are likely to switch dealer groups in the next 12 months1. When choosing a dealer group, many financial planners and accountants are lured by great promises made while courting. For others, they find it just too hard to work through the due diligence process and prefer to put up with the unhappy status quo. Some take the process extremely seriously, but just take too long to make a decision. Others jump into bed with a new dealer on the first date. Whatever the case, the wrong decision can be detrimental to your business. CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 9 A licence to grow for accountants THERE ARE TWO THINGS YOU SHOULD DO TODAY. 1 Learn more about your licensing options and the important factors that should be considered when choosing an option. Visit smsfadvice.com.au and download a copy of the latest industry insights report To licence or not? The real costs of your decisions. For more information see our website smsfadvice.com.au or call us direct on 1800 054 945. 2 Discover how our Transition to Licensing Program can help you meet the minimum education requirements, and get you and your business ready to provide strategic financial advice. It’s a highly specialised program delivered face-to-face and could be completed in as little as 6 months. WHY READ THIS LITTLE BLACK BOOK? Overview Despite the recent changes in the financial services sector which have shrunk the dealer group and licensing market place, there is still plenty of choice of dealer groups and selflicensing dealer to dealer services. You just have to find the right one for you. This Little Black Book will reveal matchmaking secrets and help you through the due diligence process to choose the right dealer group or licensing option for you. Follow these steps: 1) Look in the mirror - Take an honest look at yourself as well as your business’s value proposition and unique personality. 2) Look at your current dealer group – If you have an existing dealer group, look at what they are offering. What services do you value and what could you go without? If you have a problem, try to resolve the problem first as changing is time consuming and can be stressful. 3) Understand the financial advice landscape – Financial planning and the supporting service providers has changed significantly and you need to know who’s who and what’s what. 4) Collate your business vitals – Understand exactly what makes up your business. What are you paying at an itemised level for dealer services? Do you know your key business metrics such as revenue, number of clients, FUM and PIF? Do you have an update to date record of your compliance reviews? 5) Shortlist potential options – Know what you are looking for and what you are prepared to compromise on. Remember, there is no such thing as the perfect licensing solution. 6) Talk to your stakeholders – It’s a big decision. Once you have all the facts ask for the opinions and advice of those who will be impacted by the change – your staff, your family, your trusted peers, your referrers, and your existing clients. 7) Make a decision – By the time you are at this step, the decision should be obvious. 1 Core Data, 2013 Licensee of the Year Research CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 11 LOOK IN THE MIRROR Self assessment How did those bags get there! I Look in the mirror f you’re looking around at different dealer groups or licensing options, it is vital that you truly know who you are – no sugar coating, warts and all – before you go searching for a potential mate. Even if you’re new to the market, you need to clearly identify why you are looking to break into this market. To start, ask yourself these questions about your business (Come on, be truthful): • What is your business value proposition? Why would clients seek your advice? • Is your value proposition sustainable in the new world of advice? • What type of clients do you work with? • How is your business going compared to previous years? • How did FoFA change your business? What other changes still need to happen to ensure the business prospers in the new operating environment? • Are you looking to grow? Or are you tired and looking to sell? • What is your end goal for the business and what is your timeframe? 12 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK Next, you need to be completely honest with yourself about who you are as a person. Ask yourself these questions about how you work with people: clients, business partners, and current or past dealer groups: • What personality traits positively and negatively affect your success? • Do you manage relationships well? • How proactively have you sought support from your current dealer group to help you maximise your business? Are they the scapegoat for disappointment with the business? • What type of people do you work well with? (Why?) • What type of people do you not work well with? (Why?) • Do you enjoy what you do? Is it truly your passion? If you’re not honest and clear about yourself, your business direction and your personal drivers, you can’t possibly defi ne what qualities you are looking for in a potential dealer group. LOOK IN THE MIRROR Self assessment “Before you even think about anything else, take a good look at yourself in the mirror. Make sure it’s a fluoro light. Doris Day dim light is delusional. You need to be honest and truly define who you are as well as what your business’s value proposition is.” – Anne Fuchs, Pinnacle Practice 13 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK LOOK AT YOUR CURRENT DEALER GROUP Current dealer Look at your current dealer group We just don’t get on the way we used to. 14 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK LOOK AT YOUR CURRENT DEALER GROUP Current dealer LITTLE NOTE: If you do not currently have a financial services licence or a relationship with a dealer group, you might like to skip this section and go straight to your options. If you do have a licence – either your own AFSL or through a dealer group – read on. B efore you can effectively evaluate other options, you need to clearly understand your current dealer arrangement, what they offer, and where they may be falling short. Ask yourself these questions about your current dealer group or dealer to dealer service: • Are your business models aligned in areas such as ideal clients and approved product lists? • Do they specialise in helping businesses just like yours? • Are they delivering the right products and services for your clients to ensure you meet your professional obligations under Best Interest Duty? • Do they help you achieve your goals – like growing your business or selling your business? • How secure is your dealer group in reputation and financial position? • Do you use the services they provide to full capacity? If not, why not? • Are you getting value for money in what you pay in fees? Once you have pinpointed what the key problem or the opportunity is with your current dealer group or dealer to dealer service, be respectful and professional about your relationship. Talk to them and give them ample opportunity to correct what you are not happy about. If they can’t come to the party and provide you with what you are after, clearly explain that you may look elsewhere. CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 15 “Are you a square peg in a round hole, fighting your dealer group on everything or are you in no man’s land with no contact at all? Or are you in fact well-suited and just need to tweak the pain points?” – Anne Fuchs, Pinnacle Practice Three risk specialists. Three big ideas. One future-focused dealer group. Introducing the Future Project by Affinia. AD As a risk specialist dealer group, Affinia is dedicated to the long-term success of our advisers, helping them build sustainable businesses in this dynamic environment. The Future Project provides unique insight into some of our advisers’ biggest ideas and how their partnership with Affinia has created future-focused, future-proofed risk advice businesses. Discover the future of risk at affinia.com.au/futureproject From top: Peter Blassis, Business owner and financial adviser, Langley Securities; David and Lisa Bourke, Business owners and financial advisers, Bourke Financial Services; Ralph Woods, Business owner and financial adviser, Woods Financial ABN 13 085 335 397 AFSL No. 237857 Case study Strategic alignment to facilitate business growth The Advisor The practitioner is a CPA with 30 years experience. He has also worked as a management consultant and a tax consultant. He has his MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management, a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Commerce and Business. Why Change? After 20 years as a business consultant and tax accountant, I decided to embark on new career as a financial planner in 2006. I joined a small dealer group without much thought about how my business would develop or what services I would need in the future. At the time, the head of 18 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK the dealer group was a personal friend and it seemed that what he was offering was modestly priced and would meet the needs of my clients for the foreseeable future. He also offered office space as part of a package deal. Over the next seven years my financial planning and tax businesses grew at a rapid rate. However, problems started to arise as I took on more clients with relatively large portfolios and complex needs. The head of the dealer group was reluctant to entertain the idea of expanding the Approved Product List to allow me to provide a wider range of product offerings to my clients and steadfastly refused to license me if I moved offsite to my own premises. I could understand the Case study “In terms of the transition process, it was the most challenging undertaking I have ever taken on, but Madison helped our firm every step of the way.” rationale for such strict controls but I also knew that most other dealer groups did not operate with such limitations. During early 2013, my Funds Under Management increased above $20 million and it was obvious that changes would be needed at some stage in the near future. The Perils of Finding a New Home In May 2013 I launched into the arduous process of searching for and selecting my new dealer group. Fortunately, early on in the process I happened to be searching the internet and, by chance, found the details of Anne Fuchs of Pinnacle Practice. I made contact with Anne and quickly engaged her to advise me on which firms I should consider to be on my short list of firms. Anne took me through a strategic analysis process, which involved completing a detailed questionnaire and a series of discussions about what I was really looking for in a new dealer group. She forced me to think hard about what I did not like about my existing dealer group before closely examining other dealer groups. This process was very valuable in that it would have been very easy for me to run away from the things I did not like about the old dealer group rather than focussing on the CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 19 Case study things that I wanted to get out of the new dealer group. As part of my evaluation process I went to a ‘B2B’ (Business to Business) day conducted by one of the large financial institutions. They operate many dealer groups and would have happily let me choose which dealer group I wanted to join. There were some differences between the dealer groups they owned but it seemed to me that I would have been a ‘nobody’ in the overall scheme of things. One of the dealer groups had 220 Authorised Representatives (AR) and I calculated that the institution must have at least 1,000 ARs on their books across their stable of dealer groups. That was scary. How would I fit in? Then I was introduced to the head of Pharos (parent of Madison dealer group) who immediately congratulated me on what I had achieved in developing what most would regard as an unusual financial planning practice – focussed on Australian expatriates. There was an immediate ‘meeting of the minds’. The head of Pharos is an entrepreneur and he understood what I had been through and the challenges I had ahead of me. Conceptually, I was sold on Madison at that first meeting. However, I had to do my due diligence on every aspect of the Madison business, and, of course, they had to do their due diligence on me. The more Madison people I met 20 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK the more I liked the dealer group and the more fearful I became that they might not accept me. The firm has many talented individuals … everyone is above average and everyone knows exactly what they are doing. In my mind, Madison was about the ‘right size’ in that it had enough scale to offer a wide range of services to advisers but wasn’t so big as to be cold and impersonal. Their systems are great, their processes are well documented and they have a very strong service culture which continues to astound me even to this day. Entering a New Realm Much to my delight, I was eventually accepted into the Madison dealer group and attended their first conference in October 2013. I felt like I had entered a new realm... a brand new world of possibilities. In terms of the transition process, it was the most challenging undertaking I have ever taken on, but Madison helped our firm every step of the way. I wanted to do everything ‘by the book’ and Madison was keen to support me in my efforts. As at 31 March 2014 our Funds Under Management are above $36 million and we are growing at 10% per quarter. I expect my firm will reach $100 million FUM by the end of 2018 and I am delighted that I have the backing of a dealer group which will support me during this rapid growth phase. We dare to be different. Not only do we believe in ideas and innovation, we implement them. This gives us the competitive edge. This is the reason we come to work everyday. If you are considering changing your AFSL, don’t you owe it to yourself to consider what has been up to now a well kept secret? For more information, contact Madison Financial Group on 1300 789 575 or visit: www.madisonfg.com.au Madison Financial Group Pty Ltd ABN 36 002 459 001 Australian Financial Services Licence 246679 Registered Address: L2, 285 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 “The systemic failure of the financial advice industry in Australia brought on by the GFC has changed the face of the financial services industry forever. This has changed the game significantly for many players and most importantly for the end user – the client.” – Anne Fuchs, Pinnacle Practice UNDERSTAND THE FINANCIAL ADVICE LANDSCAPE Advice landscape Understand the financial advice landscape A lthough challenging for a certain segment of the industry, the Federal Government’s Future of Financial Advice (FoFA) reforms introduced in July 2013 will stamp out the long-tradition of financial advisers receiving ongoing commission payments for investment and superannuation products sold. Although remuneration transparency will help build consumer confidence and improve the professional reputation of the industry, many challenges arise as a result. It is vital that you understand how this change affects dealer groups’ offerings and in turn, how this might affect you and your business. Dealer group segments Wow, the road really has changed! Most in financial services agree that FoFA reforms are consolidating the industry creating a ‘barbell’ – a few big dealer groups aligned with banks, insurance companies and the big industry funds and ‘then a whole lot of cottage people running small, segmented locally geographic based, personality-base segmented businesses’1 . Many agree this void in the middle would not be permanent, but would take CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 23 UNDERSTAND THE FINANCIAL ADVICE LANDSCAPE Advice landscape up to a decade to evolve. Dealer groups caught in the middle will cease to exist unless they can grow and achieve scale. Already we are seeing the beginnings of fragmentation from the recent period of consolidation. However, with all these changes, three clear dealer group segments still exist: 1) Institutionally-owned dealer groups – many of these dealer groups have restricted approved product lists (APL) built around house platform. They often have low dealer group fees as their profit is made predominantly through product sales which are achieved by the restricted approved product list. This is commonly described in the industry as a vertically integrated model. Some groups will provide the option for a broader APL and this is charged to the advisory business at a premium. These groups are generally well-resourced in terms of support for their adviser network. 2) Independently-owned dealer groups – these dealer groups can have a higher degree of risk attached to them. This is because their value proposition is closely linked with flexibility and autonomy for the firms within the network. Prior to the GFC, this was the fastest growing segment of the dealer group marketplace. To survive in the new world, these groups will need to keep their costs down to compete with the institutionally-owned big end of town and lower the inherent risk in their business model by providing a rigid compliance framework that advisers must adhere to. 3) Specialist dealer groups – these dealer groups attract a very particular type of advisory business and are positioned to support those businesses that work with more complex clients needing more specialist advice. These groups largely do not focus on product sales. Support and fees are also not linked to or subsidised by product sales so fees will be noticeably higher than the other dealer group segments. Dealer service groups Dealer to dealer service groups providing service to self-licensed financial advisers are also emerging strongly. Their service offerings generally come with a basic package to help businesses apply for a license with an ongoing annual audit and professional development program. Businesses then build their own supporting services from a menu depending on their needs. The dealer services group should provide a costed 24 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK UNDERSTAND THE FINANCIAL ADVICE LANDSCAPE Advice landscape list of their services such as workflow technology to streamline the back office, software, annual conferences, paraplanning and statement of advice templates so that businesses can make an informed decision on what is right for them. Mergers, acquisitions and shipjumping In the new world, independently-owned dealer groups will continue to merge to fund FoFA changes and access bigger client bases and more advisers. The importance of scale cannot be underestimated. Large dealer groups will also acquire smaller ones for similar reasons – like the acquisition by Commonwealth Bank of Count Financial Group which increases CBA’s advisors to nearly 20002. Some dealer groups are experiencing a flurry of interest from advisory businesses because of FoFA reforms. In many cases, some are simply ‘testing the waters’ to see what other dealer groups have on offer. Depending on their own dealer group’s response, resources and training to the FoFA reforms, many advisers are concerned and are looking around. Accountants giving financial advice Accountants are steeped in a history of running a fee-for-service business and in many cases are already seen as a trusted adviser in the broader community. Many accountants are fully embracing the opportunity to offer financial planning as an additional service to their clients and are looking to merge with or take over financial planning practices. Those accountants who understand the broader industry will be in the best position to capitalise on these opportunities and make an informed decision. The ICA believes the APES 230 standard (Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board) allowing accountants to provide advice has raised the fi nancial advice bar and will better equip Australians ‘to make well-informed fi nancial decisions’3. To accommodate this growth, many institutionally-owned dealer groups have developed dealer groups tailored for accountants covering both limited and full advice business models. 1 Beyond FOFA, Tria Partners Money Management, 22 September 2011 Institute of Chartered Accountants, APES 230 updates 2 3 CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 25 Case study Inside knowledge provides independent thinking 26 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK Case study “Having a quality dealer group offering and an understanding of what it means to run a planning business, Infocus has attracted planners from other licensees drawn by a combination of dealer services, discipline and planner support.” A fter a decade in business as a dealer offering branded and non-branded services to its practices, Infocus Wealth Management has built up its adviser numbers to more than 110 planners across 70 offices. Infocus began this growth when it shifted from being an advice practice to a licensee, recently purchasing the stake held in the group by MLC to once again reassert its independence in the financial planning market place. Having a quality dealer group offering and an understanding of what it means to run a planning business, Infocus has attracted planners from other licensees drawn by a combination of dealer services, discipline and planner support. Fraser Coast based Nev Daniels switched from a small planning group to Infocus about eight years ago and found the switch improved the speed at which he could provide advice. Joining Infocus, Daniels also gained access to better products and back office systems. Prior to this he had worked with a traditional planning CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 27 Case study group and would have more than likely continued with that group had it not been wound up with the retirement of the principals. Having made the switch, Daniels has been able to benefit from a more progressive licensee. For Perth-based Amanda Doyle, the compliance management and discipline shown by Infocus were part of the reasons for the shift from a large planning group. While the service proposition of her previous licensee was sound, Doyle’s concern for the ability of the group to provide the rigour and stability she was seeking from her dealer group was unresolved. This was an issue also for Adelaidebased Damian Caveney, who has recently transitioned to Infocus, after looking for a licensee to help his business grow further. While both groups have similar numbers of advisers this was not the foremost issue in Caveney’s mind; rather he was impressed by Infocus’ independence and professionalism. Caveney was familiar with the reputation of Infocus from previous industry experience and said his choice was affirmed by recommendations from other trusted professionals and discussions with senior Infocus staff members. He stated that Infocus was also very clear on what it could provide as his licensee and how he could work with the group within a planner-dealer relationship. For Doyle the search meant placing Infocus alongside a number of other groups and running a ruler over the fees 28 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK and services on offer and looking for what stood out for her as an adviser and for her practice. Chief among the positives on offer was strong compliance management and a discipline around what advisers were able to do and how they were required to do it. Daniels was also impressed with the leadership of Infocus, claiming that it was a major incentive to move when he and a group of advisers were working through their selection of a new licensee. He is happy to admit that many things have changed in the industry since making the move. Yet he also said the shift has led to better business outcomes including increased income for the practice, improved technology and product offerings and integrated model portfolios, which has made servicing clients much easier. Doyle said while her clients may not see a direct impact on the day to day advice provided to them, the shift has impacted the provision of advice. Not only is there more client-centred activity according to Doyle, but the practice has been able to improve its efficiency in the front and back office whilst also working with like-minded advisers and management within the Infocus group. For Caveney, who is settling in with his new licensee, it is blue skies ahead. He said his dealings with Infocus have been very good, and most importantly he remains optimistic and comfortable about the future outcomes for his business. 7KHIXWXUHRIÀQDQFLDO DGYLFHLVLQGHSHQGHQW AD People are waking to the distinction of financial advice from an independently owned dealer group. As an independently owned dealer group we offer Financial Advisers and their clients the benefits of real choice. +DYLQJ RQH RI WKH KLJKHVW UDWLRV RI )LQDQFLDO $GYLVHUV WR VXSSRUW VWDȒ ,QIRFXV· DSSURDFK WR SDUWQHULQJ ZLWK )LQDQFLDO $GYLVHUV WR JURZ WKHLU EXVLQHVV KHOS WKHP PDQDJHULVNDQGLPSURYHRSHUDWLRQDOHȓFLHQF\DQGSURÀWDELOLW\LVSHUVRQDO (QTXLULHV IURP %XVLQHVV 2ZQHUV DQG )LQDQFLDO $GYLVHUV (QTXLULHVIURP%XVLQHVV2ZQHUVDQG)LQDQFLDO$GYLVHUV H[SHFWLQJPRUHIURP\RXU'HDOHU*URXSDUHZHOFRPH &DOOXVWRGD\RQ Infocus Securities Australia Pty Ltd ABN 47 097 797 049 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 236523 COLLATE YOUR BUSINESS VITALS Business vitals Collate your business vitals You’re not as trim as you thought you were 30 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK COLLATE YOUR BUSINESS VITALS Business vitals B efore you shortlist your potential options, it is important you pull some information together about yourself – this time it’s your vital stats. At this point, you also must be prepared to strip down and bare all under f luorescent lights. Being honest and open will really help both you and the potential dealer group really know whether you are suitable for each other. The more information you can provide – even if you don’t think it is relevant – the better position you will be in to negotiate the most cost-effective and most suitable agreement ensuring yours and your clients’ best interests. A prospective dealer group or dealer services business will want to know: • How many active and inactive clients do you have? • Have you segmented your clients? How many clients do you have per segment? • What is the average fee per client? • Do you have client service agreements in place? • What are your FUM (Funds under Management) and PIF (Premium in Force) figures? • What are your headline revenue figures? • What are you currently paying for software? • What type of software licences do you have and do you need all of these? • What does your Corporate Authorised Representative agreement state about client ownership and termination? • What is your investment philosophy? • What is the average MER (Management Expense Ratio) for your clients? • What is your compliance and client complaints track record? (Have a record of your compliance reviews and remedial action reports ready to go.) • Do you rely on any conf licted remuneration payments such as rebate income or commissions from legacy products? • What are your previous licensing arrangements, tenure and reasons for moving? (Have these available.) • What is your academic background and CPD history? (Have your academic transcripts and up to date CPD register available.) Also be prepared to reveal any other information like criminal record, a significant partnership dissolution, financial stress within the business or personally, significant loans or relevant history with any key people within the new dealer group that may impact joining. The more information you can provide the better position you will be in to truly work out whether your partnership will work. Remember, they’re assessing your suitability as much as you are assessing theirs. CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 31 The Home of Financial Planning Let’s open up possibilities for you We’re not just trying to help our customers own tomorrow, we’re here to help financial planners too. After all, our entire business is built around advice. It’s why we partner with financial planners. We have done for years – and will for years to come. New opportunities If you’re looking to change careers, we can help you start your new profession as a financial planner – through our Horizons Academy. Are you a qualified planner already? We can help you find new employment opportunities – we have over 1600 practices in our network. You might be looking to start your own business. And we can help you become your own boss, like we have for over 1,000 other entrepreneurs. And if you’re an accountant, we can help you successfully navigate the convergence between your industry and the financial planning profession. New challenges The business landscape is always changing. If you’re a principal of an advice firm, we can help you achieve your business objectives. One way we do that, is by giving you access to the largest financial advice infrastructure in the country. It’s there to support partners like you, so you can deliver the most suitable advice to your clients. We have unmatched services and support to help you achieve what’s important to you – whether that be maximising equity value through increasing efficiencies, revenues and profits, growing through acquisition or selling your business. Whether you want to use your brand or one of ours, with six licensees available, we have a variety of offers and terms to best suit you. See what’s possible for you at homeoffinancialplanning.com.au SHORTLIST POTENTIAL OPTIONS The shortlist Shortlist potential options Date checklist – 1. funny, 2. smart, 3. rich, 4. sexy. 34 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK SHORTLIST POTENTIAL OPTIONS The shortlist I n many instances, like choosing a life partner, many financial advisers at this point use their ‘heart not their head’ when choosing a potential license option. Some chose a dealer group or self-licensing solution simply because their mate is with them. Others are lured by low cost, no frills offerings. Others are lured by promises of referrals or the opportunity to acquire orphan client books. But as the old saying goes, if it looks too good to be true, then it probably is too good to be true. For any arrangement to last long-term, you need to ref lect on yourself and then take a pragmatic, non-emotional look at what the potential dealer group is offering. support, approved product list, professional development, growth or succession support. Then take a look at what your options are. Go through the courting process with a small number of the 60 plus dealer groups in the market that are worth considering. Money Management produce an annual list of the top 100 dealer groups from a survey which is considered by many as the barometer of the financial services industry 1. This list and your new understanding of the financial services market may help you gather some dealer group names that may suit you. As you search, you will find each dealer group and dealer to dealer services option has their unique value proposition, just like you do. Define your non-negotiables Do some digging Look back on the notes you made when you looked in the mirror. Make a list of no more than three things that you must get from a dealer group or dealer to dealer service. These are your non-negotiables. They may be: • A certain price • Aligned values or business models • Specific support such as attitude towards compliance, paraplanning, software, technical At this point, it is also important to research the detail about the potential dealer group or dealer to dealer service. Don’t believe all they tell you on their website or in your meeting. Do the necessary digging. Involve your staff at the right time to ensure everyone in the business feels included and in doing so maximising the opportunity to get as much information about your short list of prospective dealer groups. 1 Money Management, 26 July, 2013 CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 35 Case study Self-licensed does not mean having to go it alone 36 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK Case study W hile we are told that trends in financial planning appear to support the growth of the larger dealer groups, there is also a growing band of planners who are choosing to gain their own licence and access dealer services through third party suppliers. Pathway Licensee Services is one of those groups that has assisted advisers make the shift from larger dealers – both institutionally and non-institutionally aligned - to their own licence. It recently assisted two practices gain their own licence, both offering services to pre and post retirees, with those practices stating the shift to an independent footing was both beneficial for the planners and appreciated by their clients. In feedback provided to Pathway the planning businesses state they were able to provide personalised advice with their previous licensee, including in the areas of direct shares and taxation, but struggled with back office services that did not fit with the business or advice model. One business labelled their existing service as ‘inadequate and high cost’ while the other stated ‘it was satisfactory but limited in the services that could be offered to clients’. Ultimately it drove them to consider other options, as the planners found their ability to expand their advice capabilities at odds with restrictions on areas of advice or product. At the same time subtle pressures to achieve outcomes for licensees which were not accommodating the needs of their planners and made them feel conflicted, further considerations towards becoming self-licensed. According to the feedback received by Pathway, both planning groups entered into the process of finding a new licensee by looking at others groups in the market, including some who had already proceeded down the path of self-licensing. Initial impressions were that self-licensing would be an onerous and expensive undertaking if all the required functions were built in-house or sourced in the market. However the reality is that the CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 37 Case study “The real benefit was the planning business now being able to set the rules about how their practices could work and the ability to negotiate directly with suppliers of services...” 38 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK cost is not are expensive as many advisers believe with ongoing costs comparable to those of an authorised representative. The two planning business also saw the flexibility and value proposition of getting their own licence and utilising Pathway for those services required to continue and expand their advice capabilities. This did require the planning practices to closely examine themselves and conduct a due diligence process which provided useful information not only about compliance obligations, but also about how they could better use the resources they had and the resources on offer from Pathway. However the real benefit was the planning businesses now being able to set the rules about how their practices could work and the ability to negotiate directly with suppliers of services, enabling the businesses to set their own tone and direction. Both groups have stated the shift has been noticed by clients, who are comfortable the planners are working for their interests with the planners having the freedom to construct a service offer and product list that meet their client’s aims and interests. It has also made the businesses better places to work, with one practice stating that since becoming selflicensed it has been able to attract high quality staff to work in the business. Focus on what you do best, and let Pathway do the rest. Establishment and management of AFSLs. Customised planning software (powered by Xplan). Professional Development and hot topic workshops. Compliance and Risk Management. Practice Improvement. Investment Research. About Pathway Pathway Licensee Services focuses on helping advice businesses comply with the AFSL regulatory environment and supporting them to improve the overall client experience. Phone: 1300 722 100 Email: [email protected] www.yourpathway.com.au Case study Moving on without moving out “Lonsdale provided sound and reliable advice as well as benchmarking and business improvements.” – Phil Smith Cutcher & Neale Investment Services 40 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK H eading towards its twentieth year with Lonsdale, Cutcher & Neale Investment Services made the decision to shift from a corporate authorised representative to a dealer associate (self-licensed), which meant examining the relationship between the practice and its licensee. Cutcher & Neale partner Phil Smith said that after such a long association with Lonsdale the business did not feel it was necessary to look at other options as Lonsdale knew how the business operated and what it wanted to achieve. This was due to Lonsdale being part of its initial formation and assisting in the creation of the good foundations on which the business continued to work. “Over the years as the business evolved, so too did the level and complexity of the services Lonsdale offered. My team and I needed an experienced external consultant to guide us through the myriad of changes over the years and Lonsdale undertook this role to a large extent,” Smith said. Case Study According to Smith the relationship with Lonsdale provided sound and reliable advice as well as benchmarking and business improvements to inform the business on how it was progressing and growing. Despite this, the decision to change their licensing arrangement with Lonsdale to self -licensed – so they could offer an expanded approved product list to their fee for service clients – was still a significant moment in Cutcher & Neale’s development. “Initially it was a bit like cutting the umbilical cord from Lonsdale, but once again they were very helpful in the process. Expanding the approved product list has allowed wider conversations with clients and I think our Investment Committee procedures are probably more robust than they were previously,” Smith said. Smith says the shift was not simple but the pay-off was confirmation that what they have already achieved with Lonsdale had set the business in the right direction. “The due diligence was a lengthy process and we engaged, via Lonsdale, a legal firm to guide us through the maze. I would never even attempt to do this without external assistance. Yet I think it was reassuring to know that all of the processes and procedures that ASIC required for our AFSL, we were already adhering to via Lonsdale.” Looking for more flexibility and choice? At Lonsdale, we believe in flexibility and choice. We have built our reputation on delivering quality licensee solutions, excelling in practice management support, SMSF solutions and fostering an open and collaborative relationship with our network of financial planners and their aligned accounting practices. Lonsdale Financial Group Ltd | ABN 76 006 637 225 | AFSL 246934 | www.lonsdale.com.au Part of the IOOF group WMA-13405 To find out more about our flexible solutions, call us today on 1300 LONSDALE (1300 566 732) or visit flexible.lonsdale.com.au LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF DEALER GROUPS | 41 Case study Support for growth “Bridges has set the terms and parameters on important issues such as compliance but has left us to specialise in the way that best serves our clients.” – Anthony O’Hara 42 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK S even years ago Canberra based Anthony O’Hara was faced with a choice of three licensees for his planning practice, with the decision resting on who could supply the best range of dealer services while not restricting the ability of the practice to grow. Today the practice, which has two principals, two associate planners and 450 clients – including a number in the public service – is licensed via Bridges Financial Services and has been since that day back in 2007. O’Hara said the choice has allowed the business to specialise according to the decision of the planners and become its own Case Study unique practice in the Bridges network. “Bridges has set the terms and parameters on important issues such as compliance but has left us to specialise in the way that best serves our clients. As a result our business is different from any of our peers in the group, even though we use the same licensee,” O’Hara said. This ability to specialise was a result of the range of in-house services Bridges could provide to the practice and has allowed O’Hara to provide advice on core issues such as insurance and self-managed super, and to expand into aged care advice as well. O’Hara said being able to focus on clients was critical during the lead up to the Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) reforms, with Bridges taking a proactive approach. “We started making changes in our practice based on what FOFA required but Bridges took the pressure and workload off the planners and were very adaptive and supportive as we implemented the changes in the business,” he said. It is this support that O’Hara will also continue to rely on, via the referral network with ACT-based credit unions, and for future growth for the business. “We are looking at future acquisitions, either in the network or outside of it, to increase our planner numbers and will be relying on Bridges for flexible development support.” Experience. The difference. Find out how we can help you stand out in the crowd. Talk to our experienced team today. SA, TAS, VIC, WA Jeff Ebeyer M > 0420 959 088 ACT, NSW, NT, QLD David Burridge M > 0414 539 431 www.bridges.com.au/thedifference Bridges Financial Services Pty Ltd (Bridges) ABN 60 003 474 977 | ASX Participant | AFSL No 240837 Part of the IOOF group LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF DEALER GROUPS | 43 Case study Individual approach provides flexible outcomes T “We get access to a dedicated team who have the specialist resources we need to grow our business.” he right choice of licensee is the difference between a practice that is surviving and one that is thriving, and Required Financial Services General Manager Andrew Peterson regards his practice as one of the latter. Required Financial Services made the transition to Consultum late last year in a move which Peterson described as being ‘seamless’ given the due diligence that was conducted by both parties. As the former head of a funds management group, Peterson and his financial planning partners were very clear in what they wanted from a licensee when they decided to make the shift. “We have ambitious growth targets, and we knew Consultum was prepared to support us as financial planners, to listen to us and be involved in the process of building our business,” he said. According to Peterson, Consultum offered a high level of flexibility, resources 44 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK – Andrew Peterson Required Financial Services and customisation in the areas of marketing, software and research which were crucial as they were looking to grow their business. “We looked at the culture of a few other licensees and discovered that with some of them you can be put in a waiting line for services, and in making our choice we asked Case Study ‘who would help us grow?’ and ‘who would help with areas of concern such as training and paraplanning?’” Peterson said since joining Consultum, the emphasis has been on working with the practice to achieve solutions which allow them to better attract and service clients and build the business. He cites the high level of customisation in the marketing of the practice, including bespoke campaigns, and customised Xplan software, as examples of where the licensee services of Consultum are creating efficiencies across the whole business. “We get access to a dedicated team who have the specialist resources we need to grow our business, and the solutions are always in the best interests of our clients. We cannot put a value on that,” Peterson said. Further growth in the business has also been supported according to Peterson, who stated that while the business hired new planners, it was Consultum who undertook induction training to ensure they were operational from day one. “Clients are getting a better service offering now, and this is being reflected in the growing number of referrals.” He remains confident the relationship will continue to benefit his practice and said that discussions around buying client books are in the works with Consultum’s full support. Personalised service... That’s the Consultum difference We are a boutique dealer group who take a holistic approach to your business. We develop a thorough understanding of your brand, your clients, and your business to provide you with a tailored solution encompassing software, research, marketing and practice management. Experience a seamless transition with us. Call us on 1800 062 134 or visit us at consultum.com.au/blackbook Consultum Financial Advisers Pty Ltd | ABN 65 006 373 995 | AFSL 230323 Consultum is part of the IOOF group LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF DEALER GROUPS | 45 MAKE A DECISION Decisions Make a decision It’s now time to make a decision. If you have followed these steps methodically, your decision should be relatively easy. • You’ve looked in the mirror and been truly honest about your business’s value proposition and your unique personality. • You’ve looked at your current dealer group and checked out their pros and cons. • You understand the current financial advice landscape. • You’ve collated your business vitals. • You’ve shortlisted potential options based on your needs and what you are prepared to compromise. • You’ve talked to your stakeholders –your staff, your family, your referrers, and your existing clients. If you have an existing financial advice business, you should have a choice of three paths to take: 1) Divorce your dealer group and change to one that is more aligned to your business 2) Stay with your current dealer group and work more effectively with them 3) Go it alone and become a self-licensed adviser. If you are an accountant and haven’t yet set up a financial advice business, you should have a choice of three slightly different paths: 1) Embark on a relationship with a dealer group that is clearly aligned to your business 2) Go it alone and become a self-licensed adviser 3) Stick to you knitting as an accountant and not launch into financial advice. When choosing a licensing option, one choice should be a stand out. If you are tossing up between two, your gut instinct should point you in the right direction. If you still can’t decide, remember that the cultural alignment between you and the dealer group will always be the X-factor that creates a sustainable relationship. Other commercial promises will be short-term. If you have made the decision to change – whether that be to move dealer groups or become an independent self-licensed adviser – your next challenge is to project manage the process. 46 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK MAKE A DECISION Decisions “If you have thoroughly and honestly taken these steps, the right decision for you and your business should be glaringly obvious.” – Anne Fuchs Pinnacle Practice 47 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK TALK TO YOUR STAKEHOLDERS Stakeholders “Like asking your friends whether they like your new date, it’s important to consult key stakeholders and find out how your decision might impact them.” – Anne Fuchs, Pinnacle Practice 48 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK TALK TO YOUR STAKEHOLDERS Stakeholders Talk to your stakeholders W hether you are starting up a financial advice business or you are looking at changing your licence arrangement, it is wise to think about who your decision is impacting on a day-to-day level. As early as you can, talk to the following stakeholders giving them key information that they need to make an informed judgement and genuinely ask for their opinion: • Support staff – staff need to be committed to the process of setting up or transitioning from one group to another. • Clients – some clients may be impacted so talk to key clients if necessary. • Family – wives, husbands, partners and other family members may work in your business and may have a valued opinion. • Business partners – strategic alliances such as referring mortgage brokers, accountants, or lawyers can give you vital perspective in this decision. When you are courting different dealer groups or dealer to dealer services, you may like what you see. But your key stakeholders may have a completely different lens and perspective. For example, staff using the dealer’s software may see glaring problems with a prospective dealer group’s software – a problem that you may not see. At this point, it is helpful to talk to the potential dealer group about your key stakeholders giving them a true understanding of how you operate your business. An open and honest attitude at this stage will help you make the best decision. CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 49 Dealer group table Top 20 Institutionally Aligned Planning Groups RANK COMPANY NAME PLANNERS OWNER 1 AMP Financial Planning 1706 AMP 2 Charter Financial Planning 852 AMP 3 Commonwealth Financial Planning 700 CBA 4 NAB Financial Planning 625 NAB 5 Garvan Financial Planning 567 NAB 6 Count Financial 530 CBA 7 Securitor Financial Group 471 Westpac 8 Westpac Financial Planning 470 Westpac 9 Millennium 3 Financial Services 437 ANZ 10 Hillross Financial Services 367 AMP 11 Financial Wisdom 366 CBA 12 Macquarie Private Wealth 354 Macquarie 13 ANZ Financial Planning 343 ANZ 14 Aon Hewitt Financial Advice 215 Aon 15 Godfrey Pembroke 208 NAB 16 Apogee 201 NAB 17 Guardian Advice 196 Suncorp 18 Lonsdale Financial Group 189 IOOF 19 RI Advice Group Pty Ltd 173 ANZ 20 Bridges Personal Investment Services 160 IOOF 50 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK Dealer group table Top 20 Non-Institutionally Aligned Planning Groups RANK COMPANY NAME PLANNERS OWNER 1 Morgans Financial Limited (formerly RBS Morgans) 512 Morgans staff and management 2 Professional Investment Services 508 Centrepoint Alliance 3 Synchron 313 D.Trapnell/J. Prossor/ The Estate of the Late P Riegelhuth/ Lifestyle Financial Group 4 Dover Financial Advisers 228 Terry McMaster 5 State Super Financial Services 180 SAS Trustee Corporation 6 WealthSure 169 D. Pawski/D. Kaminski 7 Yellow Brick Road Wealth Mgt. 154 Yellow Brick Road 8 The FinancialLink Group 150 n/a 9 Sentry Financial Planning 140 n/a 10 Lifespan Finanical Planning 134 John Ardino & Family Trust 11 Shadforth Financial Group 129 SFG Australia 12 ClearView Financial Advice 122 Clearview Group Holdings Pty Ltd 13 Crowe Horwath (formerly WHK Financial Planning) 107 Fisher FM/Celeste FM/ CBA/Alceon/IOOF 14 Infocus Securities Australia 105 Darren Steinhardt/Staff 15 Matrix Planning Solutions 97 Advisers 16 Fortnum Private Weath 92 Advisers/FING/Staff 17 Madison Financial Group 88 Management and Staff 18 Futuro Financial Services 82 Grey Capital/AMP 19 Industry Fund Services 79 Industry Super Holdings 20 Wealth Today 70 Founders/Managers CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 51 FIND THE RIGHT DEALER GROUP FOR YOUR COMPANY Dealer Group Directory Affinia is a dealer group, but we like to do things a little differently. We’re a risk-specialist so everything we do is tailored for risk professionals. Q We’re expertly backed by powerhouse life insurer TAL, but our risk APL is open. Q Our flagship advice platform is made for you, and it really does make it easier to do business. Q Affinia Financial Advisers Limited Level 16, 363 George Street, Sydney T: 1300 AFFINIA (1300 233 4642) E: [email protected] ABN 13 085 335 397 AFSL No. 237857 Our answer to the PDM, the ABCs (Affinia Business Consultants) are experts in business, dedicated to you, and measured by your results, not ours. Q And our advisers have a voice and a real seat at the table in shaping their dealer group. Q We have a new take on the role of a licensee – we put you at the centre of everything we do. www.affinia.com.au AMP Financial Planning E: [email protected] ABN 89 051 208 327 AFSL 232706 OWN TOMORROW As Australia’s largest licensee, AMP Financial Planning offers a unique opportunity to build your practice with the leading advice brand in the country. We strive to make it as easy as possible for you. You will be able to choose from a range of products and services to enhance your offer, tailored to your business and your clients. With a strong footprint across the country, our dedicated team will provide you with exemplary levels of support along the way. You’ll have access to the latest news from the industry, research and advice on complying with regulatory standards, systems and processes to support your client engagement, education and learning opportunities. Whether you want to grow your practice, or plan your exit, you can feel confident that with AMP Financial Planning, we’ve thought of everything you’ll need to create the tomorrows your clients’ desire. www.amp.com.au/ampfp 52 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK FIND THE RIGHT DEALER GROUP FOR YOUR COMPANY Dealer group directory If you value independence and want the freedom your own AFSL provides, then talk to us at AAP. tAdvice on the appropriateness of an AFSL and authorisations tObligation guidance tPreparing Application Documentation tProject managing AFSL application and licensing process guidance tPractice management consulting Associated Advisory Practices Level 2, 499 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004 T: (03) 9864 6464 E: [email protected] tTemplates tEducation and training tAudits tOngoing technical support – compliance and advice strategy tDiscounts tAccess to our Professional Indemnity Insurance Program CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY. www.aapgroup.com.au At Bridges, the proven track record of our research team, combined with our stockbroking capabilities and unique referral partner networks, all support our trusted and reputable brand which in turn enables us to successfully support the growth of our practices. This clearly differentiates us from other financial planning groups. With a long history of helping financial planners grow their practices, we are large enough to provide extensive support and resources, but small enough to be flexible in implementing change as required. Bridges Financial Services Pty Ltd Level 22, 207 Kent Street Sydney NSW 2000 T: 1800 645 303 E: [email protected] AFSL 240837 | ABN 60 003 474 977 Part of the IOOF group As a result, clients benefit from the integration of knowledge and expertise available through both their financial planner and the national resources of our network. www.bridges.com.au CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 53 FIND THE RIGHT DEALER GROUP FOR YOUR COMPANY Dealer Group Directory Charter Financial Planning T: (02) 9367 2113 E: [email protected] ABN 35 002 976 294 AFSL 234665 WE NEVER FORGET IT’S YOUR BUSINESS At Charter Financial Planning, we never forget it’s your business – you run your business under your brand, your business model and to your end goal. You can rely on our stellar track record of compliance, technical support and advice tools, so you can focus on your clients. You leverage our experience and capabilities to help simplify the day-to-day management of your business. You can count on our people, insights and support to build your business for tomorrow. Our sense of community and camaraderie is the cornerstone of Charter Financial Planning. Because for us, it’s personal. www.charter.com.au Count is Australia’s largest network of accountant-based professional advisers. For over 30 years, Count has been helping accounting firms enhance their offer to include financial advice. Count believes that accounting firms are amongst the best placed to provide financial advice because of the unique, trusted relationship they nurture with their clients. Count Financial Ltd Level 19, 1 Alfred Street Sydney NSW 2000 T: 1300 732 266 E: [email protected] ABN 19 001 974 625 AFSL No.227232 YOUR OPPORTUNITY – OUR SOLUTION Count offers the opportunity to become part of a leading network of accounting professionals focused on growing their businesses. Members are committed to excellence in advice and creating exceptional outcomes for their clients. 54 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK www.count.com.au FIND THE RIGHT DEALER GROUP FOR YOUR COMPANY Dealer group directory A boutique full-service dealer group, we provide support to a vast network of financial advisers across Australia. Founded in 2006, we have firmly established ourselves as the dealer of choice for practices requiring personalised and tailored support across a range of services including practice management, marketing, software, research, compliance and professional development. Consultum Financial Advisers Pty Ltd Level 6,161 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000 T: 1800 062 134 E: [email protected] ABN 65 006 373 995 | AFSL 230323 Consultum is part of the IOOF group We offer a range of authorisations to cater to your level and expertise, including full authorisation, specialist authorisations, as well as our recently launched limited accountants’ SMSF specialist authorisation. Our approach is hands-on and we will work with your practice to help you build and manage a successful advice business while meeting the demands of regulatory change. www.consultum.com.au Financial Wisdom Financial Wisdom’s speciality is working with owners of financial planning practices. With over 170 practices across Australia we assist owners to build profitable, sustainable and valuable businesses. Our value to advisers comes from the stability and support of Commonwealth Bank with the agility of owning a business. We ensure knowledge is put into action with state-based local teams led by a State Manager and Practice Development Managers. Financial Wisdom Limited Level 3E, 11 Harbour Street Sydney NSW 2000 T: 1800 024 864 ABN 70 006 646 108 AFSL No. 231138 Opportunities Our culture of sharing best practice across advisers is our difference, and by leveraging research, marketing, and coaching support, we help practices understand what they’d like to be and develop the plan to make it happen. www.financialwisdom.com.au CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 55 FIND THE RIGHT DEALER GROUP FOR YOUR COMPANY Dealer Group Directory Genesys Wealth Advisers Limited T: 1300 768 159 E: northernsupport@ genesyswealth.com.au ABN 20 060 778 216 AFSL 232686 WEALTH ADVISERS OUR CLIENTS CAN RELY ON… ALWAYS From our co-operative beginning, Genesys Wealth Advisers was built on collaboration, joint commercial benefit and a shared passion and belief that advice and clients come first. We actively foster collaboration between licensee and member firm. The National Advisory Council, along with three adviser-led committees, shape the Genesys business, advice, investment and risk strategies and oversee the delivery of services from Genesys and the wider group. Our investment, risk and platform strategy ensures member firms have choice of advice philosophies and the flexibility to service their clients’ needs. Our size and support structure provides the flexibility of a boutique with the scale of an institution. www.genesyswealthadvisers.com.au Established in 2001, Guardian Advice is a national dealer group with over 200 Financial Advisers. Financial Advisers operating under the Guardian Advice license advise clients on all aspects of financial planning, with a particular focus on life risk advice. Guardian Advice is part of the Suncorp Group. Guardian Advice Lv 10, 321 Kent Street Sydney NSW 2001 T: 1300 720 350 The offer tFree SOAs where there is a risk recommendation tA dealer group offer tailored to risk focussed advisers tA great culture of like-minded, successful advisers tA highly personalised service from our practice development team tA collaborative approach to compliance tCompetitive fees and great value for money tThe strength and protection of a large company, with the flexibility of a boutique group www.guardianadvice.com.au 56 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK FIND THE RIGHT DEALER GROUP FOR YOUR COMPANY Dealer group directory Hillross T: 1800 445 767 E: [email protected] ABN 77 003 323 055 AFSL 232 705 WHAT’S YOUR IDEA OF FINANCIAL FREEDOM? We believe our kind of passion is a rare quality in the conservative and corporate world of wealth management. We partner with our clients for the long-term, offering a unique and personalised experience that’s tailored to their needs and financial dreams. It’s only when we fully understand an individual client’s idea of financial freedom that we can help them create the life they really want to live. At Hillross, we do things differently to help you deliver an exceptional client experience. Joining Hillross is like joining a family. You are known, your voice is heard and you will be supported in building your business. www.hillross.com.au Jo Willoughby Head of Sales and Marketing Infocus Wealth Management Level 2, 37 Primary School Court Maroochydore QLD 4558 P: PO box 1856 Sunshine Plaza, QLD 4558 E: [email protected] T: (07) 5458 9400 F: (07) 5443 1995 As one of Australia’s truly independent Dealer Groups, Infocus Wealth Management offers Advisers and their clients’ real choice. Infocus’ proposition has grown from the knowledge of what is needed to support independent advice businesses. With our proven business model and complimentary proprietary technology solutions, we work with Infocus business owners to grow revenue, manage risk and reduce operational costs without compromising productivity. The Infocus network now spans around 100 Financial Advisers, located in nearly 70 offices across Australia. You can find out more at www.infocus.com.au, our YouTube channel ‘InfocusWealth’ or connect on with us on Twitter and LinkedIn. www.infocus.com.au CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 57 FIND THE RIGHT DEALER GROUP FOR YOUR COMPANY Dealer Group Directory Jigsaw Support Services is the smart choice of Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) owners who value choice and complete control, want to reduce risk, seek greater efficiencies and pursue active growth. Jigsaw is passionate about supporting businesses in running their AFSL, whilst ensuring complete control and independence remains in the hands of the owners. The Jigsaw team is committed to providing you with the highest level of service and support through our extensive knowledge and expertise. Jigsaw T: 1300 361 090 E: Raffaele_mastandrea@ amp.com.au ABN 21 005 799 977 AFSL 234663 Jigsaw services are streamlined to ensure you’re well equipped with the information and expertise to efficiently operate your own AFSL. We are committed to supporting your business, to free you up to capitalise on opportunities and build even stronger relationships with your clients. www.jigsawsupport.com.au PRUDENT PERFORMANCE If you are an ethical, honest adviser who understands your business, if you want respect and to feel you are a partner in something bigger, and if you want to deal with like-minded businesspeople, KNM Professional is for you. QLD Address: Level 1, 463 Nudgee Rd, Hendra QLD 4011 NSW Address: Level 11, 111 Elizabeth Street Sydney NSW 2000 T: 1300 566 566 F: 07 3620 2930 E: [email protected] KNM Professional offers: tStrong compliance culture and capability tRisk and SMSF specialties tFlexible APL tRural and regional focus tBusiness succession planning and estate planning expertise KNM Professional authorizes: tFinancial planners tRisk specialists tAccountants and tGeneral insurance brokers KNM Group provides legal and paraplanning services as well as complete back office capability. Shares available after qualifying period. www.knmservices.com.au 58 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK FIND THE RIGHT DEALER GROUP FOR YOUR COMPANY Dealer group directory At Lonsdale, we believe in flexibility and choice, and have been at the forefront of the industry in the provision of financial planning and SMSF solutions for financial planners and their aligned accounting practices for nearly 30 years. We are focused on supporting our practices to grow their business, offering a wide range of services including: tFlexible licensee solutions tProfessional development tCompliance Lonsdale Financial Group Ltd Level 6, 161 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000 T: 1300 566 732 E: [email protected] ABN 76 006 637 225 I AFSL 246934 Lonsdale is part of the IOOF group Madison Financial Group Level 2, 285 George Street Sydney NSW 2000 P: PO Box R1776 Royal Exchange, NSW 1225 T: 1300 789 575 F: 02 9954 4599 tResearch tSoftware solutions tMarketing and communication Through our support services and industry network, you have the partner you need to grow your practice, while enjoying the benefit of being part of a community of industry recognised financial planners and their aligned accounting practices. www.lonsdale.com.au Madison Financial Group is 100% Australian owned and operated by our advisers and management. Since 1983 our advisers have been helping Australians reach, maintain and build on their wealth, income and financial security. We are committed to providing exceptional governance, support services, thought leadership and advice to an exclusive “club” of independent, like-minded, high performing financial advisory practices who each have a desire to become recognised as pre-eminent providers of quality financial advice. www.madisonfg.com.au CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 59 FIND THE RIGHT DEALER GROUP FOR YOUR COMPANY Dealer Group Directory Millenium3 is one of Australia’s largest and most established communities of financial and life insurance advisers. We believe in the transformative power of great financial advice for all Australians. At millennium3 we offer the leadership, resources and support you need to deliver the highest quality advice to your clients, while reaching your own business targets. We’re backed by the strength of ANZ and have capabilities in investments, risk, general insurance and self-managed super. Millennium3 Financial Services Unit 7, 50 Borthwick Avenue, Murarrie QLD 4172 T: (07) 3902 9814 E: [email protected] ABN 61094529987 AFSL 244252 OUR BELIEFS 1. Great financial advice has the power to transform lives 2. Great financial advice comes from great advisers 3. Successful advisers are part of a powerful community 4. Quality leadership and advice help your business grow Whether you are just starting out or looking to grow your practice and you want the freedom and backing to run your business, your way, millennium3 can help. www.millennium3.com.au Pathway Licensee Services focuses on helping advice businesses comply with the AFSL regulatory environment and supporting them to improve the overall client experience. For Dealer Groups – Improve efficiency, access operational expertise, reduce internal operating costs and add value to the governance framework. Pathway Licensee Services Level 10, 60 Carrington Street, Sydney NSW 2000 T: 1300 722 100 F: (02) 9026 0499 E: [email protected] For Advisers – Manage your own AFSL, access a depth of knowledge to assist with Responsible Manager requirements, improve profit margin by outsourcing key services, and maintain up to date with obligations and requirements. www.yourpathway.com.au 60 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK FIND THE RIGHT DEALER GROUP FOR YOUR COMPANY Dealer group directory My Dealer Group grows financial planning businesses and dealer groups by finding their perfect match. The service is underpinned by our unique knowledge of dealer groups and their business models, overlayed with market intelligence to give business owners advice on the most suitable licensing solution for their business. Pinnacle Practice Level 19, Waterfront Place Brisbane Qld 4000 P: PO Box 517 Paddington QLD 4065 E: [email protected] T: +61 3360 0237 Alt: +61 411 568 669 My Dealer Group also provides consulting and research services to dealer groups looking to understand how to retain and attract advisers in order to achieve their growth objectives. www.pinnaclepractice.com.au Premium Wealth Management Enables Pre-eminent, Professional, Adviser-Owned Financial Planning Practices. Premium is about taking a shared approach to success. Since forming in 2000 we have 22 member firms and approx $2 billion under advice. Our vision is to allow our financial planning practices to operate autonomously, efficiently and profitably within a non-prescriptive framework. Premium Wealth Management Ltd Level 9, 80 Mount Street North Sydney NSW 2060 E: [email protected] P: (02) 9279 0899 F: 02 9279 1377 Their success ensures that all of our members have a sound knowledge and experience base conducive to maintaining a culture of like-minded firms, which contributes to one of the most collegiate cultures in the industry. www.premiumwealth.com.au CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 61 FIND THE RIGHT DEALER GROUP FOR YOUR COMPANY Dealer Group Directory MAKE YOUR PRACTICE THE BEST IT CAN BE If you are looking for a B2B partner who can provide you with the expert support to help you grow your practice, whilst ensuring you retain control of managing your own licence and brand, then contact SFG Alliance Services on (02) 9250 1500 or email [email protected] Actuate Alliance Services Pty Ltd trading as SFG Alliance Services ABN 40 083 233 925 AFSL No 240959 Actuate Alliance Services Pty Ltd trading as SFG Alliance Services SFG Alliance Services is a business-to-business (B2B) offering for boutique AFSL holders designed to support best advice and deliver best practice. As SFG Alliance Services is a subsidiary of SFG Australia Limited; a leading non-aligned client focused financial advice and end-to-end wealth management firm listed on the ASX; we can leverage our wholesale relationships with best of breed providers and SFG Australia’s own expert internal capabilities, to provide you with access to the best resources available, including: t-JDFOTFFTVQQPSU t1SPEVDUBOEQMBUGPSNTPMVUJPOT t1SBDUJDFNBOBHFNFOUHSPXUIBOENFOUPSJOH t3FTFBSDI t.BSLFUJOHBOETBMFT t5FDIOJDBMTFSWJDFT THE ACCOUNTANT’S LICENSEE SMSF Advice Pty Limited provides specialised licensing and support services for accounting partners who are keen to grow their business in the SMSF market. We were established at a time of rapid regulatory and industry change to support accountants through this change, and are fast becoming their licensee of choice. SMSF Advice T: 1800 054 945 E: information@ smsfadvicelimited.com.au ABN 11 074 225 353 AFSL 234664 HOW DO WE ASSIST ACCOUNTING PRACTICES? SMSF Advice can: tProvide clarity and guidance for businesses keen to up skill their SMSF advice capability and become specialists. tHelp accountants fulfil training (RG146) and accreditation requirements through our market leading training program. tProvide guidance in transitioning a business from a typical tax business to a strategic-advice based business. www.smsfadvice.com.au 62 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK FIND THE RIGHT DEALER GROUP FOR YOUR COMPANY Dealer group directory Shartru Wealth is a non aligned dealer group that serves to protect adviser’s interests and their business value. It is a dealer group built by advisers for advisers based on cooperation. Our group would be ideally suited to those who want to have input to their licensee but don’t want the added responsibility of running their own AFSL. Our model suits “fee for service” firms that want to ensure they have flexibility. Shartru Wealth E: [email protected] T: 1300 478 424 ABN 46 158 536 871 AFSL 422409 Shartru provides APL monitoring and evaluation, compliance, CRM, and paraplanning. We also can provide marketing, public relations, back office administration, as well as an integrated financial services platform encompassing estate planning, finance, accounting, SMSF, direct equities where the adviser can choose what they require in a client focused structured environment. www.shartruwealth.com We are proudly non-aligned and determined to champion the interests of IFA’s. Our practices deliver relevant and appropriate solutions to their clients. We enhance the lives of the financial advisers we work with to help them achieve long term growth in the value of their practices. WealthSure Pty Ltd T: 08 9246 7600 F: 08 9246 7611 E: [email protected] PO Box 258 Hillarys WA 6923 IF YOU ARE DRIVEN BY: tCore values of quality and integrity tA genuine interest in ongoing improvement tAn uncompromising passion to make a difference to the clients you choose to work with We will provide you the tools to achieve your business objectives and access to quality services and solutions for your clients. www.wealthsure.com.au CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 63 Further reading Republished from Money Management, 26 July 2013. Top 100 Dealer Groups 2013 the winners and losers The movers and the shaken The Top 100 Dealer Group survey (conducted every year by Money Management and published in July) can be considered an annual barometer of what has happened in the financial planning sector over the previous 12 months. Questions abound as to the ‘why’, but the ‘what’ is usually clear from the data. And there are some clear winners in the area of growing adviser numbers in a tough regulatory and business environment. Overall planner growth was relatively low, with only 793 planners joining the Top 100 dealer 64 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK groups from 2012-13. Despite these shifts, the top 10 groups ranked by planner numbers would be familiar to anyone looking at the tables of previous years: the names have stayed constant while only the rankings have shifted. Face to face More important for the long-term future of fi nancial planning is the number of people receiving advice. According to data collected from those planning groups willing to provide this number (which was just over one-third of Top 100 respondents), about 1.8 million Further reading Australians are clients of fi nancial planners within the Top 100. Given the notable absence of data in this area relating to some of the larger groups, it is likely that this figure is much higher and is probably around four million, reflecting statistics that state one in five Australians receive some form of financial planning advice. Interesting to note is that only half of Top 100 respondents were able or willing to supply numbers indicating how many of their planners were members of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) or held the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. According to the data gathered there are 3013 FPA members in the Top 100 and 2215 CFPs. What’s it worth? It seems that while financial planners are often willing to talk about their clients’ money, they seem to be reticent about discussing their own, with only about two-thirds of planning groups reporting their Funds Under Advice (FUA) figures. Of those who did it was logical that the large institutionally aligned groups should report high levels of FUA to match their large planner numbers. However, when FUA is compared to planner numbers the situation changes markedly, and private client planning groups pull well ahead of their peers. At the same time it appears that smaller niche business are better able to attract and service the high net worth clients whom much of the industry seeks. Behind the scenes The back-office numbers also reveal a few providers holding a large proportion of market share in the areas of professional indemnity (PI) insurance, financial planning software and managed funds research. Interestingly, the single biggest group – about a quarter of the Top 100 planners represented under PI insurance (4683 planners) – are those who are self-insured via their licensee. While this may lead to thoughts of planners turning away from PI insurers and brokers, closer inspection shows these numbers are all drawn from institutionally owned planner groups, three of which sit in the top 10 by planner numbers. CGU, Axis and Vero insure a further 40 per cent, or about 7250, of the Top 100 planners, with the Chubb, Lloyds, AON, Marsh and AIG/Chartis insuring a further 2790 planners. Similar weightings exist around software. Established providers Xplan and Coin dominate in the investments and risk/insurance space. Xplan is used by about 50 per cent of Top 100 planners while Coin is used by about a third of planners. Midwinter records 409 planners as users, but a number of respondents indicated it was used alongside other software. This added more than another 600 users to those numbers for a total of nearly 1100 users within the Top 100. Among research providers, Morningstar has more than one-third of planners as users while Lonsec and van Eyk have about one-fifth to one-quarter of planners as users. However, like many areas of the industry, planners will use multiple resources with many reporting the use of two or even three research houses within their businesses. The Money Management 2014 Top 100 Dealer Group Survey will be released in late July. CHOOSING YOUR DEALER GROUP | 65 Further reading Accounting and advice practices likely to increase merging. FS Advice, Vol 8, Issue 2, 2013, page 7. The financial advice industry post FoFA: Industry Super Network. Rice Warner. Source: www.ricewarner.com/images/newsroom/1374717972_ APES 230 updates. Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia. Rpt%20The%20financial%20advice%20industry%20 post%20FoFA%202013.pdf Source: www.charteredaccountants.com.au/Industry-Topics/ Financial-advisory-services/APES-230.aspx The future of financial advice: Opportunities and challenges. Deloitte. Source: Beyond FOFA – Five fault lines shaping the ‘real’ future of financial advice. www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-Australia/Local%20 Source: Banking%20and%20Securities/Deloitte_the_future_of_ www.triapartners.com/resources/ Assets/Documents/Industries/Financial%20services/ financial_advice.pdf documents/11-12-02_07_Beyond-FOFA.pdf FoFA to accelerate industry consolidation. Money Management, 22 September 2011. Source: Top 100 Dealer Groups 2013 - the winners and losers, Money Management, 26 July 2013. Source: www.moneymanagement.com.au/opinion/ www.moneymanagement.com.au/ financial-planning/financial-planning/ analysis/top-100-dealer-groups/ fofa-to-accelerate-industry-consolidation top-100-financial-planning-dealer-groups-2013 Licensee of the Year Research, Core Data, 2013. SMSF advice Accountants’ exemption replacement. Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia. Source: www.charteredaccountants.com.au/Industry-Topics/ Financial-advisory-services/Accountants-Exemption. aspx 66 | MONEY MANAGEMENT | LITTLE BLACK BOOK available now AD Subscribe to the Money Management iPad App to recieve your FREE copy. Visit MoneyManagement.com.au for more information iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Principal Sponsor Published by Money Management www.moneymanagement.com.au
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