The ifa Show

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Ben Walsh, principal research consultant at WealthVantage Partners, joins host Keith Ford to break down the corporate regulator's new report on the private credit market and highlight the main areas that financial advisers need to understand.

Walsh delves into the report's detailed examination of the industry, emphasising the need for greater transparency and scrutiny, particularly regarding special purpose vehicles, fee disclosures, and product labelling.

Tune in to hear:

• Why advisers need to conduct thorough due diligence and not rely on any third party when recommending private credit to clients.
• The danger of private credit funds often being mislabelled as "defensive exposure" despite the illiquid nature of their underlying assets.
• Why advisers shouldn't be considered gatekeepers, and more onus needs to be on the fund managers themselves.

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Mazi Wealth financial adviser Deline Jacovides joins host Keith Ford to delve into the complexities of making financial advice more accessible and why accessibility extends beyond simply trying to deliver advice at the lowest cost possible.

Jacovides explains that she believes making advice more accessible includes utilising diverse delivery methods like ad hoc services that may appeal to clients who may not require continuous engagement, while also requiring government action to reduce the cost burden on financial advisers.

Tune in to hear:

• Why transparency and education are crucial to bridge the gap between client expectations and the true cost of financial advice.
• How clients who have engaged with online "finfluencer" content often have some level of foundational financial literacy.
• The role of technology in streamlining operations and enhancing the efficiency of advice delivery.
• Why fixing the onerous statement of advice process should be the top priority in advice reform.

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Shail Singh, lead ombudsman for investments and advice at AFCA, for a deep dive into two of the most complex – and crucial – pillars of financial consumer protection: the Australian Financial Complaints Authority and the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort.

From resolving disputes early and rebuilding client relationships to tackling large-scale cases like Dixon Advisory, Singh sheds light on how AFCA operates and the challenges posed by mounting case volumes.

The discussion also unpacks the role of the CSLR in firm failures, deadline-driven complaint surges, and the often-confusing treatment of self-managed super funds under retail versus wholesale classifications.

Hear about:

• AFCA's approach to resolving disputes and why early resolution is encouraged.
• The challenges of the CSLR in handling firm failures and complaint deadlines.
• What advisers need to know about SMSF classifications, multi-party disputes, and managing risk.

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford sits down with David Berry, inaugural CEO of the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort, to unpack the challenges of protecting investors when financial advice goes wrong.

They discuss high-profile failures like Dixon Advisory, Shield, and First Guardian, and the legislative and regulatory changes needed to ensure the CSLR's long-term sustainability.

Tune in to hear:

• The complexities of addressing financial firm failures, including Dixon Advisory and United Global Capital.
• Legislative and regulatory improvements that could strengthen the CSLR for the future.
• How transparency and ethical advice are crucial to maintaining trust in the financial advice profession.

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Hayes & Co Insurance Services financial adviser Trish Gregory joins host Keith Ford to explain the importance of childhood trauma policies, how they can help parents through a child's significant health issues and why more advisers should be keeping them top of mind for their clients.

Gregory details the benefits of the somewhat niche policy and what advisers need to know about the relatively straightforward process to set the coverage up, as well as the value of having an expert on hand at claim time.

Tune in to hear:

• Why the ability to transfer a childhood trauma policy to an adult policy with no underwriting can be so valuable.
• The broader issues with fewer financial advisers working in risk advice.
• How advisers who don't write a lot of risk should lean on insurer's business development managers.
• Why there needs to be a more transparent system for professional year candidates.

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Rasiah Private Wealth founder and principal adviser Thabojan Rasiah joins host Keith Ford to discuss why the self-confessed "investment geek" believes maximising returns shouldn't be the sole objective of financial advice.

Rasiah explains that while investing wisely is crucial, an overly narrow focus on investments can lead to neglecting other crucial aspects of financial advice and potentially overshadow a client's broader life goals.

Tune in to hear:

• Why looking beyond just returns can ensure that other outcomes important to your clients are sufficiently addressed.
• How to benchmark and measure the success of goals that aren't focused on percentage-based performance.
• The role of thoughtful questioning in helping clients articulate their true goals.
• Why making advice accessible to a wider audience is a pressing issue for the profession.

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Pivot Wealth founder Ben Nash joins host Keith Ford to break down the secrets to leveraging digital platforms for business growth and client engagement while dealing with the compliance challenges that come with professionals communicating in the digital realm.

Nash highlights that his journey into content marketing began as a deliberate strategy to generate leads independently of traditional referral networks and offers practical advice for others venturing into the social media space, suggesting they start by mastering one content format before expanding.

Tune in to hear:

• Why focus and consistency are key to building traction in online content.
• How prioritising authenticity is a better method than trying to game the algorithm when building an audience.
• Whether getting labelled a "finfluencer" is a drawback for a professional adviser.
• How you can help prospective clients engaging with your content prepare for the advice process.

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Financial Advice Association Australia general manager of policy, advocacy and standards Phil Anderson joins host Keith Ford to take a deep dive into the latest Compensation Scheme of Last Resort consultation, this time focusing on how the special levy should be decided.

With $47.3 million left to be covered for FY2025–26, Minister for Financial Services Daniel Mulino has a decision on his hands: either do nothing, delay payments, put it all on advisers, or spread the cost. Anderson explains why the FAAA believes widening the sectors that will cover the excess cost is the most equitable and sustainable way forward.

Tune in to hear:

• How spreading the cost across a broader range of sectors can work in practice.
• The impact of recent large-scale fund failures on the CSLR and how the government might respond.
• Whether the Treasury review will result in substantive legislative change or just temporary solutions.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Charlie Viola, the executive chairman of Viola Private Wealth, to discuss how private markets allow his firm to better deliver on the increasingly complex needs of its ultra-high-net-worth client base.

As private markets continue to emerge as a key tool for diversification, Viola suggests that investment vehicles, such as managed accounts, can allow advisers to access and utilise private markets without the need for complex, in-house investment functions.

Listen as they discuss:

• How private markets can play a key role in long-term investment planning.
• Why more choices can be a "double-edged sword" for advisers.
• The challenge of keeping clients focused when an asset performs above expectations.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Andrew Saikal-Skea, founder of Saikal-Skea Independent Financial Advice, to discuss the value of providing completely independent advice and how it can help remove the invisible barrier that even the perception of third-party influence can create.

Saikal-Skea also breaks down how this focus on independence and being self-licensed, along with a specialisation in helping military personnel both while serving and as they transition, has led to another niche – providing global advisory services to clients in a range of foreign jurisdictions.

Listen as they discuss:

• The complexity of working with clients living overseas and the unique challenges different countries present.
• How specialising in specific client demographics or financial situations allows advisers to develop deep expertise and ensure clients receive the most appropriate and tailored advice.
• Why it's vital to bridge the gap between providing quality financial advice and servicing everyday Australians.