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Rider overseeing a herd of cats as a metaphor for authorised representative supervision

How to Supervise Authorised Representatives: A Practical Guide for AFSL Licensees

June 12, 2026

A practical guide for AFSL licensees on building a risk-based authorised representative supervision framework that connects monitoring, complaints, breaches, escalation, remediation and governance reporting.

Scaling Advice Businesses

May 5, 2026

Most advice firms don’t fail to scale because of structure—they fail because decision-making breaks under complexity. This piece explains why judgment, not process, is the real constraint, and how translating principles, boundaries, and incentives creates consistent, defensible growth.

How Accountability Obligations Are Shifting Toward Individual Advisers and Principals

February 16, 2026

Accountability in financial services is no longer confined to the licence on the wall — it now sits squarely on the shoulders of individual advisers, principals and executives. With ASIC sharpening its enforcement focus and FAR expanding personal obligations, the consequences of weak supervision, poor documentation or conflicted conduct are becoming increasingly personal. This article unpacks where exposure arises and what practical steps professionals must take to protect themselves and their clients.

How to Avoid the Wrong AFSL: Red Flags and Real Risks

August 18, 2025

Too many advisers tolerate toxic licensees that undermine their business, wellbeing, and reputation. If your licensee prioritises profit over ethics, it's time to reassess—and potentially walk away. Learn how to make the right call.

Regulatory Ripples and Cultural Tsunamis

August 4, 2025

ASIC Chair Joe Longo’s latest speech calls time on passive compliance and cultural complacency in financial services. His message? Raise the bar or risk irrelevance.

Protecting Vulnerable Clients: Responding to Elder Abuse and Domestic Financial Abuse in Australia [Part 2]

May 26, 2025

How can financial advisers safeguard clients from abuse without overstepping? This guide dives into the ethical, legal, and practical frameworks for identifying and responding to elder and domestic financial abuse—equipping you with real-world tools, checklists, and case insights to act confidently and compassionately when your client’s well-being is on the line.

Looking Out for Vulnerable Clients: Practical Guidance for Financial Advisers on Elder and Domestic Financial Abuse (Part 1)

May 12, 2025

Elder and domestic financial abuse are on the rise—and financial advisers are on the front line. This practical guide arms you with legal insights, red flag checklists, and ethical frameworks to protect vulnerable clients and meet your obligations. Learn how to act decisively and ethically when financial abuse is suspected.

Financial Adviser Red Flags: Key Signs of Potential Misconduct

March 17, 2025

Adviser misconduct can damage your firm’s reputation and regulatory standing. This guide highlights 10 key red flags—from deviations in advice processes to high client complaints—backed by ASIC case studies and global insights. Learn to identify early warning signs, mitigate risks, and strengthen compliance framework to protect your business and reputation.
Ethics and the Lies We Tell Ourselves

Ethics and the Lies We Tell Ourselves

November 25, 2024

We explain how to identify and address ethical blind spots that lead to unethical conduct, even with Codes of Conduct in place. Discover practical strategies to reinforce ethical decision-making and create a culture of integrity in your financial services organisation.
ASIC Update: Fees-for-no-service (FFNS)

ASIC Update: Fees-for-no-service (FFNS)

March 12, 2023

Smarter Compliance. It may be tempting for some Licensees to dismiss Fee-for-No-Service (FFNS) issues as problems for institutional businesses alone. The reality is quite different. Any business that receives fees or payments for ongoing service has an obligation to provide those services. This article outlines five (5) steps every Licensee should contemplate to identify and address any FFNS issues in their business.

Step 1 of 8 - Your Role

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Assess your ASIC exposure

Answer a few targeted questions to identify where your compliance may not stand up under ASIC review.

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