In this episode of the ifa Show, host Keith Ford speaks with Shannon Freney of Direct Wealth about practical ways financial advice firms can improve efficiency without compromising client outcomes.

Freney explains why firms should treat efficiency as part of an ongoing process, while maintaining a measured and deliberate approach rather than change for its own sake, and how understanding where the bottlenecks exist can help advisers streamline their operations.

Tune in to hear:

• Why it's vital to map out the advice process to find bottlenecks, unnecessary complexity, and hidden workarounds.
• How being clear on your value proposition and target client profile can reduce inefficiencies.
• The importance of shifting from product to strategy-focused advice.

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Keith Ford speaks with Dwayne Fernandes, senior financial adviser and partner at Principal Edge, about the complex realities of intergenerational wealth transfer for high‑net‑worth families and why a multi-disciplinary team is so important for client success.

Fernandes breaks down the blind spots that can undermine long-term outcomes when professionals take a siloed approach rather than working collaboratively, and why financial advisers are well placed to take the project lead role.

Tune in to hear:

• How the $3 million super tax – and the new $10 million threshold – could change client thinking.
• Why early, proactive estate and succession planning is essential.
• The shifting role of the financial adviser.

In this episode of the ifa Show, general manager of Viridian Advisory Brett Arnol joins host Keith Ford to speak about how the firm approaches the Professional Year as a strategic talent pipeline rather than a compliance hurdle.

Arnol explains that simply following the regulatory framework is not enough to turn a new adviser into a capable "advice‑ready" professional, and breaks down how Viridian maps each adviser's path over one, three and five years, using the PY as a foundation for long‑term career development, clarity of expectations, and strong retention.

Tune in to hear:

• How listening, confidence, and the willingness to have difficult client conversations can be just as important as technical knowledge.
• Why clarity within the PY process is vital to setting advisers up for long-term success.
• How a well‑run PY program creates loyal, "homegrown" advisers, but firms must accept a three- to five-year horizon before candidates are fully productive.

On this episode of the ifa Show, Forte Asset Solutions principal Steve Prendeville joins host Keith Ford to break down the advice sector M&A outlook and why the feared wave of exits never aligned with what he was seeing on the ground, particularly among advice business owners.

While consolidation is accelerating, Prendeville stressed that successful deals are less about headline price and more about cultural alignment, client continuity and protecting staff outcomes, with many advisers choosing to sell without exiting and remain in advice roles post-transaction.

Tune in to hear:

• Why adviser exits linked to the education deadline have been far lower than forecast.
• How rising fees and profitability are underpinning strong M&A activity, with demand from both private equity-backed groups and traditional buyer-to-buyer transactions.
• Why the bottom line price isn't always the biggest factor.

On this episode of the ifa Show, Omura Wealth Advisers director Terry Vogiatzis joins host Keith Ford to dive into why aggressive, growth-focused investing, smart tax structures and customised portfolios can dramatically change long-term outcomes.

Vogiatzis argues that for many younger investors, the real risk is being too conservative for too long, rather than riding out volatility in pursuit of higher compounding returns, and why it is vital to adapt an investment strategy that recognises that these clients are providing consistent inflows.

Tune in to hear:

• Why the real risk is for younger clients is being too conservative for too long.
• How compliance and fee pressures are reshaping advice.
• Why customisation and tax efficiency are critical for higher‑earning younger clients.

In this episode of the ifa Show, Vanguard Australia head of multi-asset solutions Matthew Cho joins host Keith Ford to unpack how advisers are rethinking portfolio construction amid rising regulatory demands, administrative complexity and broader market uncertainty.

With advisers under pressure to deliver tailored portfolios while preserving efficiency, Cho explains why scalable, rules-based investment solutions – particularly managed accounts and model portfolios – are becoming essential tools for modern practices.

Tune in to hear:

• How utilising a core–satellite approach can balance the goals of diversification, cost efficiency, and alpha generation.
• Why rising compliance load and limited time is driving advisers to scalable model portfolio solutions.
• The practical benefits that model portfolios can provide for both advisers and their clients.

Vanguard Investments Australia Ltd (ABN 72 072 881 086 / AFS Licence 227263) (Vanguard) is the Portfolio Manager of the Vanguard Core-Satellite Model Portfolios (Portfolios). Lonsec Investment Solutions Pty Ltd (LIS) (ABN 95 608 837 583) is engaged to provide investment advisory services in relation to the Portfolios. LIS is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR) of Evidentia Financial Services Pty Ltd (ABN 97 664 546 525 / AFS Licence 546217).

In this episode of the ifa Show, Direct Wealth technology manager and Halosoft co-founder Nick Downey joins host Keith Ford to explore the real reasons many Australian financial advisers remain hesitant about AI, despite 74 per cent of practices are either using or planning to use AI.

Downey explains why this hesitation exists, why it's rational – particularly when it comes to security concerns – and how tools purpose-built for advice practices are starting to shift adviser comfort and confidence.

Tune in to hear:

• What the real barriers to AI adoption are and why it isn't about resistance to technology.
• How adviser confidence shifts quickly once they experience a high-quality, adviser-aligned AI tool firsthand.
• Why the future of advice technology is workflow-driven, client-centric, and focused on freeing advisers to do more of the human work that matters.

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Dr Ben Neilson, adjunct professor at Central Queensland University and adviser at Complete Wealth, and Shelley Labartolo, client service officer at Complete Wealth, join host Keith Ford to break down their research on the stages of client emotions during the advice process.

Their research centred on how understanding and mapping client emotions at each stage – from discovery and strategy development to implementation and review – not only improves decision quality and trust but also enhances the client experience and reduces the need for follow-up.

Tune in to hear:

• How advisers can practically implement the findings to foster greater levels of trust with clients.
• Why it's important to address emotions proactively with feedback, empathetic questioning, and clear communication.
• The value for advisers with high emotional intelligence and how they can build greater trust and achieve stronger, more durable client relationships.

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Andrew Gale and Stephen Huppert from the Actuaries Institute's Help, Guidance and Advice Working Group joins host Keith Ford to take a deep dive into the recently released framework to address the complexities of financial advice in Australia, focusing on creating clearer pathways for consumers to access financial support.

Andrew and Stephen explain that the current system leaves approximately 60 per cent of Australians without adequate financial support, while the HGA framework aims to bridge this gap by providing a more flexible approach that allows for different levels of support, from basic information to comprehensive personalised advice, while maintaining clear regulatory boundaries.

Tune in to hear: • The challenges facing the provision of financial advice and how the framework aims to solve them. • Why clearer boundaries between different levels of financial support are vital to improve client outcomes. • How the still unfinished Delivering Better Financial Outcomes reforms can provide some positive results.

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, MLC Expand CEO Liz McCarthy and Shadforth Financial Group CEO Terry Dillon join host Keith Ford to discuss the transformative role of AI in financial advice and how AI tools are being implemented to drive efficiency.

With advice firms looking for greater automation of routine administrative tasks, AI is set to reshape the advice profession's approach to client service and business growth.

Tune in to hear:

• How MLC Expand and Shadforth are responding to the need for greater efficiency through AI tools.
• Why rigorous governance and privacy protocols to ensure data security and accuracy are so vital.
• The crucial role of AI in expanding client service capacity, improving financial literacy, and addressing the broader advice gap in the market.