Brad Fox
The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) has taken note of industry feedback that advisers are experiencing tighter cash flows as practices continue to adapt to the new regulatory landscape.
Legislative changes, consumer expectations and challenging investment markets are putting significant financial pressure on small business advice practices as owners come to terms with changing their own business models. In response to this the AFA has instigated an eight-month payment plan for advisers seeking to attend the AFA National Adviser Conference in Canberra 5-7 October.
Brad Fox, AFA Chief Executive said that AFA member practices and individual advisers are working very hard to reposition their value propositions to suit today’s and tomorrow’s clients, and consequently the AFA wants to make it easier for them to participate in what advisers have told the AFA is the country’s most adviser-focussed conference.
“We talk with advisers every day and it is clear that cash flow is tight as they invest in changing their business strategy, advice fees, value propositions and client services,” he said. “What is also clear is that most advisers want the opportunity to participate in our conference whether that is to network and share experiences with other advisers or to share the professional development content we collate from around the world.”
In response to this feedback, the AFA created the eight-month payment plan made up of eight equal instalments payable from February until the October Conference. Advisers only have until 25 February to take advantage of the payment plan.
“This locks in the Early Bird price for them and there are no other fees levied on top of it,” Mr Fox said. “We have made it available to both our members and also to those who wish to become new members and attend the AFA National Adviser Conference. Instalments start from $146 a month.”
The payment plan is proving a success so far with 86% of registrations taking up the offer and registrations tracking well ahead of the same time last year.
“We always receive great adviser feedback from the conference and this will make it easier for newer advisers and those reinvesting in their business to afford the conference registration fee. We already have a number of practices that are bringing multiple advisers or staff as the payment plan better suits their cash flow.”
More details are available at www.afaconference.com.au.