In this episode of the ifa Show, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by Blake Briggs, the chief executive officer of the Financial Services Council (FSC), to discuss the issues impacting the financial advice profession and Australians at large.

Mr Briggs examines the government's bold approach to tax reform – both in relation to the stage three tax cuts and within the superannuation system – and highlights the importance of certainty and stability in tax settings to maintain consumer confidence.

Listen as they discuss:

• Why he is optimistic about the outcomes of the Quality of Advice Review.
• The importance of advisers registering with ASIC and the need for transparency in the ASIC levy.
• The busy year ahead with retirement income reforms, changes to the managed investment scheme review, and the implementation of the CSLR.

In this episode of Relative Return, Maja Garaca Djurdjevic speaks with Andrew Peros, small-cap portfolio manager at Ausbil, about why the market environment indicates the "perfect time" to go into small caps.

Listen as they discuss:

• Why small caps are due for a comeback.
• Learnings from a volatile two years.
• Dialling up high-conviction positions in the portfolio.
• Having a bias to founder-led companies.
• His transition to funds management from accountancy.

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by Shelley Banton, head of education at ASF Audits, to discuss the issues impacting SMSF auditors. Ms Banton explains why the class action raised against auditors involved in the Melissa Caddick case should not be seen as a black mark against all within the sector, as well as what auditors should be doing to ensure they don't find themselves in a similar situation.

Listen as they discuss:

• Challenges ahead for SMSF auditors.
• Why the $3 million super tax changes will put greater emphasis on market valuations.
• The ongoing importance of documentation for auditors.

In this episode of Relative Return, Maja Garaca Djurdjevic speaks with Matthew Haupt, lead portfolio manager of WAM Leaders, to discuss the stage three tax cuts and their impact on Australian equities. Listen as they discuss:

• The recent stage three tax cuts announcement.
• What a move to monetary easing will mean for equities and bonds.
• The collapse of Evergrande property developer in China and the country's relations with Australia.
• Whether Trump could be re-elected in the US presidential election.
• How he is positioning the WAM Leaders portfolio.

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Glen Hare, co-founder and financial adviser at Fox & Hare, to discuss young Australians seeking financial empowerment amid changing markets. Focused on a younger demographic, Mr Hare emphasises a holistic approach to address diverse financial goals, from property ownership to stock market investments, and highlights the importance of education and goal flexibility.

Listen as they discuss:

• The best way to address the concerns of younger clients.
• The varied reasons young Australians seek financial advice and the importance of dispelling misconceptions about age and wealth.
• The significance of educating clients, breaking down misconceptions, and supporting young Australians in cultivating financial empowerment for a secure and prosperous future.

In this episode of Relative Return, Maja Garaca Djurdjevic speaks with David Tuckwell, investment strategist at Global X ETFs Australia, about the future trajectory of the exchange-traded fund (ETF) market and flows into bitcoin ETFs. Listen as they discuss:

• How financial advisers are helping to boost ETF growth.
• The popularity of fixed income ETFs during 2023.
• Allaying advisers' concerns about bitcoin ETFs.
• Competition and future launches in the cryptocurrency space.
• ETFs positioned to benefit from a monetary easing environment.

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by the CEO of Verse Wealth, Corey Wastle, to discuss the important role that client experience plays in an advice business.

Mr Wastle explains what exactly falls within the realm of the client experience and why it is so important, as well as how Verse frames everything around values, intentions, and financial wellbeing.

Listen as they discuss:

• The best ways to approach the client experience and how digitising the process helps.
• How Verse has implemented video SOAs and why it is better for clients.
• The importance of culture within an advice firm.

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by Daniel Butler, director of DBA Lawyers, to discuss the state of play regarding non-arm's length expenses and income (NALE/I) as we move into 2024. Mr Butler explains why the legislation continues to be a contentious issue, including where the problems lie, what to expect once it's finalised, and how it will impact the SMSF sector. Listen as they discuss:

• The state of limbo the SMSF sector has been stuck in for five years.
• How the proposed changes fall short of expectations and do not fully address the complexities and potential unfairness of the current system.
• The way that innocent and inadvertent oversights can result in major penalties for trustees.

In this episode of Relative Return, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Amanda Gardner, National Strategy Manager at Challenger, to examine the latest retirement income innovations.

Listen as they discuss:

• The drivers of growing demand for retirement income products.
• Key concerns of future retirees.
• Balancing income generation and capital preservation requirements.
• Misconceptions about retirement income.
• The future of retirement income and the latest innovations.

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn get out their crystal balls and take a look at what 2024 has in store for the SMSF sector. On the back of a busy year for SMSF professionals that included a host of changes across a wide range of areas, the expectation is for more of the same as consultations and proposed government changes start being solidified. Listen as they discuss:

• How the Retirement Income Covenant will impact the SMSF sector.
• The stage three tax cuts and upcoming federal budget.
• What to expect in the wake of the government's final Quality of Advice Review announcement.