The ifa Show

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by the executive director of the Association of Independently Owned Financial Professionals, Peter Johnston, to break down how the poor design of the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) could lead to the downfall of the financial advice profession as they face a $70 million levy. With the responsibility of addressing the CSLR seemingly being left in the hands of the next government, Johnston explains the importance of advisers using their vote in the upcoming federal election to support those that will, in turn, support the profession and deliver on their promises.

Listen as they discuss:

• Whether there are any legal pathways for the profession to challenge the CSLR.
• How advisers can push back against political pressures in the upcoming federal election.
• What the long-term implications of the CSLR could be for the profession.

In this episode of The ifa Show, co-hosts Maja Garaca Djurdjevic and Keith Ford break down what Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones' impending retirement means for the upcoming federal election. While many advisers will be glad to see Jones go after years of disappointment from the Labor government, particularly in relation to the government's handling of the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR), many are still hesitant to trust the Coalition, remembering the decade of mistreatment.

Listen as they discuss:

• How United Global Capital is impacting the CSLR more than Dixon Advisory.
• Industry associations' criticisms of both major political parties.
• Whether advisers can expect to see a draft on tranche two of the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes reforms prior to the election.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by the chief executive of WT Financial Group, Keith Cullen, to break down the government's adviser education reform announcement, and why the profession needs to be pragmatic about the pathways to bring in new advisers. Cullen explains why he sees opening up financial advice to a wider range of degrees is vital, and the importance of maintaining the appropriate additional requirements, such as completing the adviser exam, professional year, and CPD training.

Listen as they discuss:

• What advisers can expect from the upcoming federal election.
• How the next tranche of DBFO is tracking and the measures it needs to get right.
• Why the government needs to stop its constant meddling in the super system.

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by the founder of The Cyber Collective, Fraser Jack, to discuss how technological advancements have impacted the cyber security space and the doubled-edged sword of AI.

Reflecting on the evolving landscape of cyber security, Jack emphasised the importance of creating resilient businesses that can withstand and recover quickly from attacks as despite best efforts, attacks still can occur.

Listen as he discusses:

• How third-party providers can increase cyber risk.
• Why leaders' knowledge is crucial to protecting the business.
• The consistent vulnerability of human error.

In this episode of The ifa Show, we share a discussion between host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic and associate professor Nathan Eva, from Monash Business School, on the global implications of US President Donald Trump's "me-first agenda" on organisational culture, including within Australia. Eva breaks down Trump's executive orders rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and clean energy efforts, and how these moves could flow through into the domestic landscape.

Listen as they discuss:

• The risks that come with deprioritising diversity and how Australian leaders can resist these trends.
• What organisations can do to stay committed to fairness, equity, and sustainability amid political and social upheaval.
• The leadership qualities needed to navigate this challenging new era.

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by academic and consultant Dr Katherine Hunt to dive into the barriers that are holding advice firms back from bringing on young advisers and why overcoming them is important for the future of the profession. Reflecting on conversations with advisers who have decided working with professional year (PY) advisers simply doesn't fit their business model, Hunt outlined why this is an area where advice firms can take on more responsibility for improving the overall profession while still gaining value from a new adviser's skills.

Listen as she discusses:

• How to reposition the value proposition of a PY adviser as a positive for your clients.
• Why the proposed new class of adviser could be reason for optimism and lead to growth in adviser numbers in the long-term.
• How to get the most out of mandated ethics continuing professional development rather than just ticking a box.

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford sits down with founder and director of Forte Asset Solutions, Steve Prendeville, to break down what's happening in the financial services mergers and acquisitions (M&A) space. With activity high across the board, including multiple bidders attempting to take over Insignia Financial, Prendeville shares his insights on the growing international interest in Australian financial services firms and why this is happening.

Listen as he discusses:

• The impact of offshore ownership on the domestic financial services market.
• Why 2025 is set to be a busy year for M&A advice firms, driven by a combination of supply and demand dynamics.
• How financial advisers can build better businesses and enhance profitability.

Join us for an exclusive interview as ifa's Maja Garaca Djurdjevic and Keith Ford are joined by shadow financial services minister Luke Howarth to discuss the Coalition's goals for financial advice.

In this conversation, Howarth shares his perspective on the current state of the sector, what a change in government would bring about for financial advice reform efforts, the prospect of super funds returning to advice, and what needs to change regarding the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort.

Tune in to hear the shadow minister's vision for the advice profession ahead of next year's federal election.

You'll hear:

• What the Coalition's plan to implement all the Quality of Advice Review recommendations means in practice.
• His plans to turn around what has been a contentious relationship between the advice profession and successive governments on both sides of politics.
• How Australia's economy is looking following an extended period of high inflation and increased government spending.
• Whether the shadow minister is just talking a good game ahead of an election or if financial advice would be better off under a Coalition government.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Kylie Denton, the owner and director of Performance Advisory Group, to explore how advisers can navigate the complex landscape of the intergenerational transfer of wealth and engage with different generations of clients. Denton explains why financial advisers need to start thinking about how they will connect with this new generation now, as around $435 billion of wealth is set to transfer from Baby Boomers to generations X, Y, and Z over the next 10 years.

Listen as they discuss:

• The conversations that advisers should be having with clients and both their children and grandchildren.
• How advisers can tailor their offerings to younger generations that communicate very differently compared with older clients.
• The different concerns that younger clients hold, not just from a financial perspective but also on a broader level.

In this episode of The ifa Show, co-hosts Maja Garaca Djurdjevic and Keith Ford break down Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones' latest update on the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes (DBFO) reforms and how the new class of adviser (NCA) is set to operate.

Details have been short on the second tranche of the DBFO and the delays have been lengthy, but the minister has provided a more in-depth look at how the super funds and insurers will be able to utilise NCAs to provide simple advice to members – though there is still no date for the release of draft legislation.

Listen as they discuss:

• Whether the ability for NCAs to charge for their service is a net positive and why it became a point of friction among stakeholders.
• The reaction from across the financial services industry.
• How likely it is that the legislation will be passed in the current term of Parliament, given the ever-shrinking window before the federal election.