 SEAN GRAHAM | THURSDAY, 21 MAY 2026 In our view, most advice firms do not stall because they lack process, systems or ambition. They stall because the quality of their decisions collapses as complexity rises. It is not a structure problem. It is a thinking problem The wrong diagnosis ... Read more SEAN GRAHAM | FRIDAY, 5 SEP 2025 Elder financial abuse and domestic financial abuse are issues that are increasingly recognised as part of the duty of care of financial advisers and Australian Financial Services (AFS) licensees. This article builds on the foundational concepts covered ... Read more SEAN GRAHAM | FRIDAY, 27 JUN 2025 Financial abuse rarely introduces itself. It does not always come with signs you can tick off on a checklist. But it is more common than most people realise- and growing fast. In Australia's ageing population, and in relationships marked by power imbalances ... Read more SEAN GRAHAM | FRIDAY, 20 JUN 2025 ... are redesigning their approach to contemporary retirement advice', hosted by Challenger on 9 April 2025, featuring Sean Graham, managing director of Assured Support. After two decades of legislative change, margin squeeze and demographic disruption ... Read more SEAN GRAHAM | FRIDAY, 23 MAY 2025 In my career, I have been required to 'handle' three significant adviser frauds, so I know that while most advisers operate with integrity and professionalism - means, motive, opportunity and lax oversight can lead to advisers making choices whose consequences ... Read more SEAN GRAHAM | FRIDAY, 19 JUL 2024 Under Australian financial services laws, Australian Financial Services (AFS) Licensees and financial advisers face stringent compliance obligations regarding the collection, use, and protection of personal information. Failure to comply can result ... Read more SEAN GRAHAM | FRIDAY, 1 MAR 2024 We recently learnt that 98% of the new advice licensees that commenced operation in 2023 were 'micro-licensees'-that is, licensees with fewer than ten advisers. Despite the media attention, this is not a new trend. In fact, it is the inevitable, and ... Read more SEAN GRAHAM | FRIDAY, 18 AUG 2023 Being a Responsible Manager is not easy. As the industry continues to grow and adapt, it is crucial for managers to stay informed and make informed decisions that benefit their licensee and satisfy regulators and stakeholders. In this article, we offer ... Read more SEAN GRAHAM | FRIDAY, 26 NOV 2021 Advisers and licensees have had a lot of regulatory reform to manage in 2021, so it is no surprise that there is still a measure of confusion and uncertainty around these new arrangements. Queries about fee disclosure statements (FDSs) and ongoing fee ... Read more SEAN GRAHAM | THURSDAY, 23 SEP 2021 Considering the deluge of regulatory reform bearing down on licensees and advisers, it is not surprising that the product design and distribution obligations have largely been overlooked. That is a mistake, because although they will not be one of the ... Read more |
Latest News
ASIC stalls Sequoia bid to ditch cross guarantee deed
ASIC is again putting up roadblocks to Sequoia Financial Group's attempt to revoke the deed of cross guarantee with InterPrac Financial Planning, asking more questions and requesting more information before the group rids itself of all liabilities arising from the Shield and First Guardian disaster.
Praemium's new leadership toughens earnings yardstick
Praemium's new leadership will be keeping a close eye on costs, with new chief executive Denis Orrock noting he will make sure the technology upgrade underway translates into stronger earnings and better returns for shareholders.
ASIC 'scrutinising' Sequoia's second InterPrac fire sale
The corporate regulator says it is "closely scrutinising" Sequoia Financial Group's second attempt at a fire sale of InterPrac Financial Planning to a little-known private investor.
Treasury consults shifting tax debts from victims to abusers
Treasury is consulting on extending the powers of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to strengthen its response to financial abuse.
Further Reading
Cover Story
Advice with soul
SACHA BURCHGART
FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR
BURCHEART PTY LTD
FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR
BURCHEART PTY LTD
Though she initially tried, Sacha Burchgart couldn't escape the call of a career in financial advice; it just took staring down her own mortality to see what's possible when you do things differently. Jamie Williamson writes.
Expert Feed
How technology is turning tax complexity into client clarity
What used to be a relatively simple back-of-the-envelope calculation is now much more challenging, Morningstar says.
Why Australia's financial advisers will be more valuable in 10 years, not less
Despite a rise of innovative solutions across the wealth management sector, financial advisers will prove valuable for in-person advice.
What America's $1 trillion direct indexing boom tells us about the evolution of MAs
What Australia can learn from direct indexing, a tax-efficient form of managed accounts utilised in the US.
Stonepoint is another lesson in fund governance and investor protection
The demise of the Stonepoint Capital Fund may have gone under the radar for many, but proves an important point for independent governance when examined.
