Assured Support helps AFSLs and ACLs build defensible compliance, supervision and governance systems.
Our work has been recognised in Federal Court expert evidence, industry publications, podcasts and regulatory commentary.
Assured Support founder, Sean Graham, has acted as an expert witness in Federal Court proceedings involving financial advice licensees and adviser supervision obligations.
His expert evidence has addressed what reasonable supervision, governance and compliance oversight should involve in an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) environment, including the systems, controls and monitoring arrangements expected of a responsible licensee.
In Federal Court proceedings involving advice licensees, Mr Graham’s expert analysis considered the practical steps a licensee should take to ensure advisers comply with:
These issues were considered in matters including ASIC v Wealth & Risk Management Pty Ltd (No 2) [2018] FCA 59 and the related enforcement proceedings ASIC v Financial Circle Pty Ltd [2018] FCA 1644, which concerned failures by licensees and advisers to meet their statutory obligations under the Corporations Act.
In these contexts, Mr Graham’s expert analysis examined the systems and controls expected within a properly supervised AFSL environment, including:
This experience informs Assured Support’s practical approach to building defensible AFSL governance, supervision and compliance frameworks.
Independent recognition reflects the practical impact of our work.
Sean Graham and the Assured Support team have been published in, quoted by or interviewed in more than 100 industry articles, interviews and commentary pieces across Australia’s leading financial services publications.
Our commentary is grounded in practical experience supporting more than 200 Australian licensees, reviewing 24,000+ advice files and helping financial services businesses build stronger governance, compliance and risk management frameworks. We focus on the issues that matter most to AFSL and ACL licensees, including governance, adviser supervision, compliance infrastructure, regulatory reform, advice quality and emerging regulatory risks.
Highlights include:
34 publications and interviews in Professional Planner
14 published articles in FS Advice
11 features in Money Management
7 features in ifa
2 features in Adviser Ratings
Podcast interviews, industry panels and webinars
Expert evidence in Federal Court proceedings
Our objective is not simply to report regulatory developments. We explain what they mean in practice and how licensees can respond by strengthening governance, improving evidence and implementing more effective compliance systems.
Our commentary is practical, independent and grounded in the realities of operating Australian financial services businesses.
Should the FSC represent self-licensed businesses? – Professional Planner
FSC green paper claims need independent testing – Professional Planner
FSC ‘misremembered’ the royal commission in AFSL green paper – Professional Planner
Licensees show mixed reaction to SOA replacements – Professional Planner
ASIC calls out ‘lack of focus on fairness’ – Professional Planner
Leading a successful advice practice in 2025 – Money Management
How advisers can be compliant-ready in 2025 – Money Management
Creating a culture of compliance in advice – Money Management
Retirement philosophies – FS Advice
InterPrac lawsuit a ‘warning shot’ for other licensees – IFA
Harnessing DBFO for client-centric fee models – Adviser Ratings
The red flags of a poor advice AFSL – Adviser Ratings
Looking out for vulnerable clients – FS Advice
Protecting vulnerable clients – FS Advice
Financial adviser red flags – FS Advice
Former Count chair joins Assured Support – Money Management
Spotting adviser red flags to prevent possible misconduct – Money Management
ASIC confirms outcome of IDR ‘name and shame’ plans – Money Management
Why the FSC is right about compliance accreditation – LinkedIn
The FSC and the value and the future of advice licensing – LinkedIn
Licensees, keep an eye on your AI governance – Professional Planner
Personal information compliance for Australian financial services licensees – FS Advice
Thinking about self-licensing? – FS Advice
Why don’t licensees fall under FSCP’s spotlight? – Money Management
Are self-licensed advice practices a concern for ASIC? – Money Management
The pretty penny of self-licensing – Money Management
No time to breathe: Compliance professionals facing burnout – Money Management
Ten tips for Responsible Managers – FS Advice
Confusion driving rumours and regulatory misunderstanding – Professional Planner
Grace period over for DDO – Professional Planner
Reform by gaslight: Why the FSC’s plan for advice doesn’t add up – Professional Planner
FSC responds: Relitigating old debates won’t reform the industry – Professional Planner
Managed discretionary accounts in 2021 – FS Managed Accounts
Ongoing or fixed term? Advice polarised by fee consent regime – Professional Planner
General advice – FS Advice
D and D for beginners – FS Advice
Advisers need to avoid regulator ‘radar’ – Money Management
Confession, repentance and testimony: The new breaches regime – LinkedIn
COVID19
Focusing on better advice – LinkedIn
End grandfathering: Conflicts, constitution and compulsory change – LinkedIn
Update: ASIC fees for no service and FFNS – LinkedIn
Managed accounts: The ‘Bitcoin’ of 2018? – FS Managed Accounts
10 Managed Account Questions Answered – FS Managed Accounts
Regrets, I’ve had a few: Appointing advisers – FS Advice
Giving hostages to fortune: Licensees, advisers and the ties that bind them – FS Advice
Advice file notes and adverse inferences – LinkedIn
Broken by design: Advice institutions and compliance – LinkedIn
Oughts and crosses: The changing role of licensee management – LinkedIn
Regrets, I’ve had a few: Risks and opportunities in appointing advisers – LinkedIn
Money for nothing (and the tricks are fees) – LinkedIn
Giving hostages to fortune: Licensees, advisers and the ties that bind them – LinkedIn
ASIC and the art of the SOA – LinkedIn
Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies and regulation – LinkedIn
10 Managed Account questions answered – LinkedIn
An adviser’s guide to cryptocurrency – LinkedIn
Understanding the differences between MDA, SMA and IMA – LinkedIn
Keep pushing for reform, whether legislation keeps up or not – Professional Planner
Hurry Up and Wait: Cost, complexity and ASIC service standards – LinkedIn
Is your Licensee your greatest risk? – LinkedIn
The reg-tech promise – LinkedIn
Appropriate, and better, risk advice – LinkedIn
Compliance Insights: Lessons from REP515 – LinkedIn
Who watches the watchers? – LinkedIn
Transforming CPD – LinkedIn
The challenge of professionalism – LinkedIn
Ten Tips for Financial Services Providers – LinkedIn
Why you should love regtech – LinkedIn
Five reasons compliance is “meh” – LinkedIn
The promise of digital advice – LinkedIn
What is “independent advice”? – LinkedIn
You’re right, “Compliance” is the problem – LinkedIn
Living the dream of Independence – LinkedIn
The elephant in the room – LinkedIn
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Every fortnight “Three Hit Tuesday” delivers thought leadership, considered analysis and insights that will help you improve your advice, more effectively manage your regulatory risks and make you better informed than your peers.
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