Andrea Slattery
IOOF dealer group, Lonsdale, has committed to the SMSF Professionals’ Association of Australia (SPAA) to expand its SMSF advice expertise via the SPAA SMSF Specialist Accreditation programs and specialised training and education for its advisors.
Lonsdale is encouraging its advisors to join SPAA and undertake the SMSF specialisation programs to attain independent verification of their expertise and to continue building on their existing training programs.
By joining with SPAA, the peak professional association for SMSFs, Lonsdale, which comprises 100 planning practices and more than 250 financial advisors nationally, will be at the forefront of the new emerging profession of SMSF advice.
“Professional standards that have an independent tick of approval and raise advisor competency will be critical over the coming years as we continue to see the SMSF sector evolve,” says Lonsdale CEO Mark Stephen.
SPAA Chief Executive/Managing Director Andrea Slattery says: “This commitment by Lonsdale highlights the importance of continually lifting professional standards across the industry, as well as creating the training architecture for all professionals in SMSF advice.
“It is imperative that advisors commit to being at the forefront of professionalism because that allows consumers to make more informed decisions based on trusted, competent advice and to be able to build their wealth efficiently to meet their retirement goals.”
Stephen says the commitment to SPAA membership recognises the emphasis the firm places on further enhancing professional standards in a post-FoFA world.
“The partnership with SPAA, which will allow us to access their education, networking and training services, including the ability to obtain the independent SPAA Specialist Accreditation, when coupled with our strengths and competencies, will put Lonsdale at the cutting edge of SMSF advice.
“We are committed to continually raising professional standards by ensuring that the training, accreditation and education that Lonsdale planners get is at a significantly higher level than that required by ASIC. As part of this process, our planners will gain access to SPAA conferences, CPD events and services that will further their education.”
Stephen says that Lonsdale is committed to SPAA’s best practice guidelines for Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements (LRBAs) announced recently.
Slattery says the commitment by Lonsdale is an exciting development that highlights where the SMSF industry is heading.
“Recent SPAA-Macquarie research validated the emergence of an SMSF professional who is focused on the importance of continually lifting professional standards, and Lonsdale epitomises the movement of new career pathways for this emerging profession.
“SPAA is committed to providing a range of educational and training offerings for Lonsdale’s financial planners, a keen awareness of current regulations and legislation, and up-to-date knowledge of industry trends in the SMSF sector.”
