Count adds South Australian advice firm

Continuing its recent growth, Count has announced that South Australia-based financial services firm Murray Nankivell has joined its “national advice community”. The firm was previously licensed through the Insignia-owned AFSL Consultum.

The firm provides accounting, business consulting, and financial advice out of its three main offices located in Naracoorte, Bordertown, and Murray Bridge, improving access to financial services across rural South Australia.

Tony Bedworth, director at Murray Nankivell, said the firm focuses on supporting rural clients by providing financial services to clients in their local communities.

“While we have clients Australia-wide, the majority of people we work with are rural and in close proximity to one of our three offices in country South Australia,” Bedworth said.

“These are relatively small towns, so the communities are tight-knit and often have similar needs and circumstances.

“That means we are uniquely placed to offer the right support and build those connections. That leads to word-of-mouth referrals to bring in new clients and grow our business.”

Prior to joining Count, the firm spoke to others already under the licensee; Bedworth said that positive sentiments by them helped seal their decision to make the switch.

“Speaking to a number of our peers who were already with Count gave us confidence that this was the business we wanted to partner with. That third-party endorsement really adds weight to the decision-making process,” Bedworth said.

“One particular Count adviser told us they had nothing negative to say about Count and joining was the best move they ever made, making our decision a lot clearer to reach.”

Andrew Kennedy, group head of advice at Count, said Murray Nankivell would make a great addition to its South Australian community.

“Tony and the team bring significant experience to our expanding adviser community,” Kennedy said.

“They are extremely professional to deal with and truly embrace Count’s culture of peer-sharing and collaboration. Our other members, particularly those in South Australia, will benefit greatly from their appointment to our network.”

This latest addition follows Count’s current growth trend with the addition of advice firm Tailored Lifetime Solutions and the finalisation of its acquisition of Diverger in March.

Speaking at the time of the acquisition, Count chief executive High Humphrey said it was a “pinnacle moment in the company’s 44-year history”.