2009 Conference Speakers

March 2009

ABSS Business Leaders Night

Clive Perring - Global Financial Crisis - Effects on the Financial Advice Industry in Australia

Self-Managed Super Funds Professionals' Association of Australia (SPAA) National Conference - Adelaide

Prof Ralf Zurbrugg - ICFS/SPAA research: A review of recent SMSF performance, fee and asset allocations

April 2009

AIOFP 11th Offshore Conference

Clive Perring, Director ICFS, presented at the AIOFP 11th Offshore Conference in Koh Samui on 1st April 2009. AIOFP is an association of independently owned financial planners. AIOFP's objective was to present a conference agenda relevant and specific to the financial planning industry. Particular emphasis was on developing strategies to weather the global financial crisis and assist investors experiencing volatile markets and a reduction in both assets and income. Clive Perring reported on research carried out for ICFS by Dr Syed Ali and Dr Chris Medlin on behavioural aspects of investors and their perceptions of the value of financial advice. Discussion centred around issues facing investors, advisers, fund managers and the consequences of a loss of confidence at many levels.

Clive also discussed a proposal to establish a new designation of Certified Financial Strategist (CFS). This designation is seen to have advantages over existing designations as it has an emphasis on independently owners dealers, access to filtered research, training on ASX direct equity trading, education on Industry Superannuation Funds and most importantly fee for service advice. There will also be high levels of entry with a tertiary degree required, minimum experience of three years, on-going education and professional development.