Where are your priorities?

Originally published | 16th September 2016

Set out in s961J of the Corporations Act, is a rule that many advisers might gloss over. It is the conflicts priority rule.

This rule is similar in nature to the previous obligation to provide “appropriate advice”. The priority rule expressly requires an advice provider (Financial Adviser) to prioritise the interests of the client if the financial adviser knows, or reasonably ought to know; when they give the advice that there is a conflict between the interests of the client and the interests of:

  • The financial adviser; or
  • The financial adviser’s Australian Financial Services (AFS) licensee.

Your Objectives, should you choose to accept them!

Originally published | 23rd September 2016

What do most compliance managers, or quality assurance managers, question when discussing the quality of advice?

Does the recommended strategy meet the client’s goals?

The invariable discussion is that in the fact-finding stage of advice, you the adviser, must document the client’s goals. These goals must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely.