The ifa Show

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Andrew McVeigh, managing partner at Remara, to discuss the growing private credit and real estate investment sectors, as well as the implications of the proposed $3 million super tax on holdings within self-managed super funds.

McVeigh highlights that with private credit experiencing substantial growth as an asset class in Australia and around 300 credit funds available for investment, advisers are facing a range of challenges in seeking to differentiate between these funds, particularly when it comes to liquidity and risk profiles. Listen as they discuss:

• How different investor demographics are gravitating towards funds that match their risk profile.
• The challenges of providing liquidity with alternative assets and how funds are finding solutions.
• Why many SMSF investors are shifting towards income-generating assets to handle the proposed super changes.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Corey Wastle, CEO of Verse Wealth, to take a deep dive into strategies for attracting and retaining top talent in financial advice, particularly given the shrinking talent pool.

Wastle emphasises the importance of becoming a "destination workplace" where the best people want to work – which requires cultivating a strong culture, focusing on employee autonomy and growth, and being transparent throughout the hiring and employment process.

Listen as they discuss:

• The value of implementing tools like cultural interviews, psychometric testing, and knowledge assessments in the hiring process.
• The importance of supporting career progression and development for all team members.
• Why advice firms shouldn't consider remuneration a taboo topic.
• What to expect from trends within the advice sector, such as firm consolidation and equity partnerships.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by James O'Reilly, financial planner and director of Northeast Wealth, to delve into why advice practices should be conducting an internal review at the end of the financial year, arguing that this is a great time to look at what can be done better.

Efficiency has been a particularly hot topic over the last 12 months and with this in mind, O'Reilly explains that now is a great time to look at where the bottlenecks and pinch points in your advice process might be and make a plan on how to improve them.

Listen as they discuss:

• Why ATO Portal access is so important for advisers.
• What businesses should be doing to maximise marketing effectiveness.
• How overall team wellbeing can impact the workplace.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Nicole Gardner, founder and financial adviser at Stellar Wealth, to explore how clients react to times of turmoil and whether global events should change investment plans or even their ethical considerations.

As tensions in the Middle East continue to simmer in a very public manner, Gardner explains that clients are now left considering how they feel about the potential of profiting from conflict against their desire for higher investment returns.

Listen as they discuss:

• Why the markets aren't really reacting to the Israel–Iran conflict.
• How a reliance on passive investing can limit advisers' flexibility during market upheaval.
• The possible opportunities in volatility.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Natallia Smith, the director and principal financial adviser of TruWealth Advice, to explore how ethics have shaped her firm at a foundational level and the benefits of self-licensing in giving her control to make business decisions grounded in ethical practices.

Touching on a hot topic for the profession, Smith shares her views on advice charging models, explaining why she believes fixed dollar-based fees are more ethical than asset-based fees.

Listen as they discuss:

• Why the separation of product and service is so important in financial advice.
• The need for more female representation within the profession.
• How ethics impacted her decision to develop a niche client base.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by ifa journalist Shy-ann Arkinstall to discuss new Financial Services Minister Daniel Mulino's initial meetings with industry associations, including the Financial Advice Association Australia, the Association of Independently Owned Financial Professionals and the SMSF Association, and what the outcomes of these say about the future of the profession.

As the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes (DBFO) reforms remain top of mind for advisers, they take a look at the Financial Services Council's submission on the legislation, digging into the ongoing concerns regarding the so-called new class of adviser and the uncertainty that has come with only receiving half of the next round of reforms.

Listen as they discuss:

• The soon-to-be-released Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) Treasury review.
• How different variations of Division 296 could impact Australians' superannuation savings.
• What advisers might expect to see over the next few months.

On this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Hugh Robertson, chief executive of Centaur Financial Services, to explore the challenges that come with market volatility and how advisers can really show their value in these times.

Although many clients will feel the need to adjust their investments as changes occur, Robertson believes that timing the market simply doesn't work, highlighting the importance of discipline and sticking to long-term strategies while still remaining adaptable.

Listen as they discuss:

• Why it's important for advisers to stay flexible in challenging markets.
• How Division 296 could do more harm in the long run.
• Using diversification to ride out unexpected market shifts.

This week on The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Adele Martin, founder of Financial Adviser Scale Squad, who speaks about the value of collaboration within the financial services sector and how this can help advisers grow and improve their businesses.

Ahead of presenting at the AI Summit in June, Martin explains how advisers can use AI in their practices to not only help them be more efficient but also in training the next generation of advisers.

Listen as they discuss:

• Why advisers should be doing more than looking for referral partners.
• The role of technology in enhancing advisers' service offering.
• How hosting workshops can help strengthen both client and partner relationships.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Fraser Jack, founder of The Cyber Collective, to delve into the longstanding issue of giving financial advisers access to the ATO portal and why the Tax Office might be hesitant to open the door.

Jack also touches on the CPS 230 regulation, which will come into force on 1 July, explaining that advisers will be under even heavier scrutiny from APRA-regulated entities to ensure their cyber security is up to their new standards.

Listen as they discuss:

• How advisers can shore up their cyber security in preparation for ATO portal access.
• What can be learned from the recent attacks on superannuation funds.
• Why advisers should be discussing cyber security with their clients.

In this episode of The ifa Show, hosts Keith Ford and Maja Garaca Djurdjevic are joined by Blake Briggs, chief executive of the Financial Services Council, to unpack what the federal election and new-look Treasury portfolio will mean for advisers and the broader industry.

Briggs explains that Dr Daniel Mulino enters the financial services minister role with a suite of policies announced under his predecessor but not yet completed. He also stresses the importance of a deliberative approach that would allow Mulino to put his own stamp on the portfolio while continuing the reform process.

Listen as they discuss:

• The importance of stakeholders engaging constructively with the government on financial services reform.
• Why the $3 million super tax remains a contentious issue and the need to re-think its design.
• Where the Coalition will look for economic policy in the wake of its heavy election loss.