The clients of a financial advisory practice are arguably its most valuable asset; a failure to protect client data may not only have legal ramifications, it’s also a question of ethics. Failing to provide a safe physical and online environment for sensitive financial information could expose clients to fraud, identify theft and financial loss. Another valuable asset easily lost and hard to regain is your good name. This article examines ...

Since the official introduction of self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) in 1999, they have become a significant part of Australia’s $2.6 trillion[1] superannuation sector. At the end of 2018, with assets worth $728 billion, SMSFs represented 27 percent of the total super sector. Bound by an array of rules and regulations, this article, sponsored by GSFM Pty Ltd, examines the super sector and ethical considerations for advisers recommending SMSFs to clients. ...

A Business Succession Plan is a strategy for the smooth and orderly handover of a business from one owner/manager to another in particular circumstances, such as the planned or unplanned departure of one partner from the business. This article from Zurich examines the importance of both a sound succession plan and having the appropriate insurance policies in place to protect all parties. What is Business Succession Planning? A Business Succession ...

Improving the financial outlook for the family is the key driver for most Australians, yet many fail to fortify that legacy through sound estate planning and adequate insurance. In this article, Zurich examines the importance of estate planning and within that, the role played by insurance, the funding mechanism for a comprehensive estate plan. The typical family dreams – ‘buying the family home’, ‘I want to plan for the kid’s ...