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The article offers information on the efforts of numerous investors to turn to affordable automated systems financial guidance in Australia. The topics discussed include the fees charged for the financial advice given by robo-adviser, the worries of the conventional financial planners on the rising demand of robo-advice, and the attributes of robo-advice.

Offers information on research on the attitudes and challenges faced by financial advisers in the U.S., Great Britain and Australia. Income of financial advisers; Factors that help to explain the differences between advisers' concerns in the different countries; Key success factors for implementing wealth management. INSET: Seven Success Strategies.

Examines the quality of service in the financial planning industry in Australia. Information on a report released by the Australian Consumers' Association and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission on the performance of financial advisers; Comment on financial plans offered by financial planners; Discussion on financial planners as sellers of investment products; Information on the earnings of planners.

Discusses the quality of advice given by financial planners in Australia. Weaknesses in investment plans; Topic of commission fees; Steps to take to ensure that planners are not working for their own interests; Details of a survey of the industry by this magazine and recommendation of a website for more information. INSETS: I RECOMMEND AMWAY;INAPPROPRIATE ADVICE;WHAT PRICE POOR ADVICE?.

The article discusses the importance of assessing the performance of a superannuation fund. Topics mentioned include an overview of warning signs of an underperforming super fund such as poor returns, oversight structure, and downside protection, advice on financial planning specialist Max Newnham on checking adviser commissions, and affiliations between the fund and large institutions that provide in-house products.

The article examines the impact of the financial crisis on financial planners in Australia. It reveals that there are almost 15,000 planners in the country, looking after about $405 billion in savings. About half of the country's financial planners work for a big bank or former life insurers Axa Asia Pacific Holdings or AMP. The article reports on the retail net fund flows from 2003 to 2008.

The article looks at the growth of the Australian financial planning industry and the expanding programs of banks in financial planning because of the strong performance of the investment and superannuation markets. Two of the banks training financial planners and launching financial planning units include National Australia Bank (NAB) and Westpac. A list of the top Australian financial advisory companies and their shareholders is included.

The article profiles Michael O'Dea, head of multi-asset funds of the trustee company Perpetual Trustee Co. Ltd. in Australia. It offers brief overview of O'Dea's responsibilities and significant role in ensuring the returns from active asset allocation of the company. It also mentions O'Dea's recognition as the Best Fund Manager and his company as the gold winner in the Best of the Best 2018 of the journal.

The article explores the move of Australians in turning to independent financial planners with no ties to big financial groups, like insurers and banks. The move is deemed to stem from scandals with major banks that have links with financial planners, poor quality of retirement advice, and the failure of such planners in putting the needs of their clients. The appearance of an association of boutique financial planners that represents non-aligned financial service licensees is also mentioned.

The article discusses the relationship between financial planners and accountants in working together for their profession. It notes on a survey conducted by accounting software provider CCH Inc. which found out that 69% among 1,000 Australian owners of small-to-medium enterprises have trusted their accountant's advice as compared to financial planners. It states that Australians with superannuation will seek financial advice from both professional advisers.

The article presents the views of two financial planners on the financial status and future investment plans of Australian couple Aaron Lenehan and Amanda Lenehan. Susan Jackson of the Women's Financial Network explains the importance of investing in a life insurance to guarantee the financial situation of the family in case of any death. With regard to the planned property purchase of the couple, Michael Yardney of Metropole Property Strategists offers a cost comparison between renting and purchasing a home.

The article focuses on the increase in the number of financial planning firms for women in Australia. CPA Australia financial adviser Belinda Robinson says that the key to a good financial plan is quality advice from a trusted adviser. Women seeking financial advice may benefit more from a planner offering a broad cross-section of experience. Right Formula principal Gillian Dowell explains the capability of women financial planners to explain things on the same level as female clients.

The author offers tips on financial investments and how to prepare for one's future financially, particularly in Australia. She recommends asking the advice of a financial planner in preparing an investment plan suited to one's personal situation. She cites other financial building blocks like insurance, superannuation, and estate planning.

The article examines the implications of the ban on financial planning commissions in Australia, which was announced by Financial Services Minister Chris Bowen in 2010. The financial planning industry has been moving towards a ban on commissions and charging a percentage "fee for service." The author details how between 2000 and 2007, there was an addiction to debt that culminated in the financial crisis of 2008.

The author expresses his views on financial planning. He admits sniping at financial planning for more than five years, but not at financial planners because he believes the problem is the system. In terms of methods of payment to financial planners, he is convinced that hourly rates are preferable but a percentage-based fee for service is better than a commission. He lauds Tim and Claire Mackay of Chatswood in Sydney for transforming the financial planning industry.

The article presents the plan devised by financial adviser Sam Henderson to help Denis Mason, a recently married man from Sydney, New South Wales, build his wealth to a million Australian dollars. Henderson recommends pumping most of the excess funds into the mortgage of a new house within four years until it is repaid in full within eight years. He advises the couple to consider a line of credit with the ability to add sub-accounts for further property purchases. He suggests building a small share-based portfolio on the side.

The article focuses on the problems posed by the capital gains tax concessions to small businesses in Australia. One of the tax concessions is the total exemption from tax on a business asset when it has been owned for at least 15 years. A business must not own assets with a total net value of more than $5 million to qualify for the 15-year exemption. It emphasizes the importance of seeking professional advice and planning on how to obtain the concessions. INSET: Tax tip.

The article discusses the developments in the financial industry in Australia. It claims that the country's financial planners will be affected by the Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) reforms, which will become effective in July 2012. The opinion of the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) president Brad Fox on the new regulations is also cited.

The article examines how a ban on commissions for financial planners will affect the quality of financial advice for investors. The Australian government's ban on rewards for financial planners will take effect on July 1, 2012, and seeks to improve financial advice by focusing on the best interest of investors rather than offering products that are linked to incentive or commission schemes. Industry observers contend that the ban on commissions will result in charging high-asset investors with higher fees for financial advice.

Discusses the feasibility of establishing a financial planning division among accounting firms in Australia. Difference between accounting and financial planning business; Importance of assessing the client base in determining the option to set up a financial planning division; Approach in starting as a financial planner. INSET: CHANGING LANES A FUTURE IN FORENSICS..

Reports on the increasing number of Australians seeking financial advice from financial planners, bankers and accountants. Reasons behind the rise of the wealth accumulation business; Total assets of the nation's households; Financial advice commonly sought by Australians.

The article reports on a white paper produced by consulting firm Milliman and financial research firm Lonsec which claims that most clients of financial planners in Australia are more concerned about managing their liabilities, rather than focusing on maximizing wealth.

The article discusses the results of Australian Securities and Investments Commission's (ASIC) study of financial planners which shows people aged between 50 and 69 years who were planning to seek retirement advice or had one so. Some of the financial plans considered as good by ASIC contain evidence of multiple strategies being compared and evaluated and cash flow projections. Also, good financial plans are supplemented by written and verbal communication.

The article focuses on the challenge facing financial planners in Australia to gain professional status. Majority of the members of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) have voted in favor of a three-year plan to get the financial planning industry elevated to professional status. FPA Chief Executive Mark Rantall stresses the importance for financial planning to complete its evolution into being a trusted profession. Under its three-year plan, individual planning practitioners and those without corporate memberships will be represented by the FPA.

The article focuses on a disagreement between investors and planners in Australia over the price of financial advice. An Investment Trends survey found that investors are willing to pay less than 400 dollars for a comprehensive financial plan. According to Recep Parker of Investment Trends, there is a disconnect between expectations of planners and their clients. Mark Rantall of the Financial Planning Association points out a need to educate consumers on the processes involved in developing a comprehensive and ongoing financial plan.

The article reports the effect of the proposed ban on asset-based fees by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to people who seek financial advice as warned by the Financial Planning of Australia (FPA). It notes that the former says that fees should be banned by the federal government based on a percentage of funds under advice. Though FPA supports the termination of upfront commission, they say that middle-Australia will suffer the most if only fees based on time are allowed.

The article reports on the impact of the proposed 2012 date by the Financial Planning Association for the profession to migrate away from commission to a fee-based service on financial planners in Australia. It is claimed that the migration from commission to a fee-based service will reorganize the revenue model for many financial planners. However, it is said that the transition will have no impact of planners that have been through the process.

The article reports on ANZ Financial Planning's offering of rewards to its planners with subsidized trips to conferences based on sales volumes despite the FPA/IFSA soft-dollar code banning conference rewards based on volume sales of particular products. However, ANZ Financial Planning has restricted its planners to using its in-house OneAnswer investment platform.

The article reports on efforts by Australian financial planners to improve public perception of commission-based financial planners, who were called structurally corrupt by the former Australian Consumers Association in 2003. The bankruptcy of the Westpoint property group in 2005 also worsened the credibility of financial planners, leading the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to order financial planner AMP to improve its advice standards.

The article profiles Gwen Fletcher, Australia-based financial planning industry consultant. Fletcher introduced the concept of financial planning in Australia in the 1970s, and is considered as the mother of financial planning. She founded the Financial Planning Association, which was the country's first college for education on investment planning. In the 1980s, she developed the Investment Training College, Australia's first financial services education organization.

The article reports that Australia will need 3,000 new financial planners in the next 12 months to cope with growing demand for financial advice, particularly from baby boomers heading for retirement, according to Griffith University. The university said it is launching two degree programs in financial planning in response to the "unprecedented" demand.

The article focuses on the forecasts of Paul Resnik Consulting Group executive Paul Resnik on the financial performance of financial planners under the proposed highly tax-effective and simplified superannuation system in Australia. Resnik believes that astute financial planners will examine the proposed provisions to identify new opportunities for their clients. Significantly, the budget opens new superannuation strategies for financial planners. Finally, those advising ordinary income earners will concentrate their advice on cashflow, investment portfolio development, and producing supplementary retirement income.

Reports that the CPA Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia have proposed a financial planning standard in light of the rising number of accountants offering financial planning services. Results of research on financial planning by AC Nielsen.

Reports on the survey which found that financial planners have regained investors' confidence, conducted by CPA Australia in Australia. Decline in the reputation of financial planners after criticisms on its fee-charging practices; Percentage of respondents who said they are satisfied with financial planners on investment decisions; Profile of the respondents.

Reports that CPA Australia has discovered that some of its members are handing over 80-page documents to their clients, which might put them in breach of the act. Need for financial planners to inform their clients in the statement about the advice given, the information on which it is based and how they get paid; Contents of the statement.

Reports that an Australian industry code comes into force in August 2004 banning financial planners from accepting soft-dollar commissions of perks, in return for promoting particular products.

Discusses findings of a survey of tax practitioners by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia. Tax advice that consumers get from unqualified professionals; Financial planners as the worst offenders; Tax advice for a fee from a registered tax agent or practicing lawyer.