Adviser numbers continue to fall as licensees exit

In the week ending 13 June, no new licensees opened shop and two closed down, according to Wealth Data. The week prior displayed a similar result, with two licensees commencing and five ceasing operations.

Discussions around self-licensing have permeated the advice profession recently, with many debating the potential benefits in comparison to the variety of risks and steep costs.

“The buck stops with you – with this freedom comes responsibility and this carries risk,” Numerisk managing director and founder, Richard Silberman, described last month.

Wealth Data’s analysis observed a net loss of nine advisers in the past week, causing overall adviser numbers to drop below the 15,600 mark to 15,597 once again.

This was the second time that adviser numbers have fallen below the 15,600 line in recent months. In early April, a net loss of 14 advisers in one week drove the profession to fall from 15,609 to 15,595. This was rectified by the strong waves of new entrants following the release of the financial advice exam results in May which boosted numbers back up to 15,611 at the time.

Colin Williams, founder of Wealth Data, forecast a “very busy period” for adviser movement around the corner during the end of financial year time when advisers look to switch licensees.

“As we close in on the financial year, volatility will be high in the adviser marketplace,” Williams described.

Some four new entrants joined the profession and nearly 50 advisers were active with appointments or resignations in the week to 13 June.

In terms of adviser losses over the week, 23 licensee owners had net losses of 30 advisers in total.

Capital Accounting Group lost four advisers, bringing the licensee down to zero. Two advisers joined IA Advice, one moved across to NWG Financial Planning and the remainder is yet to be appointed.

Four licensee owners declined by two advisers each. This included AMP Group, after it lost three advisers and welcomed one new entrant, and Centrepoint Alliance which lost one adviser each from Alliance Wealth and Matrix.

Guideway bid farewell to two advisers who are yet to be appointed elsewhere, while Viridian lost one adviser to Templestone and the other yet to be appointed elsewhere.

A tail of 19 licensees were down by net one adviser each, including Insignia Financial, Morgans Group, and Mutual Trust.

Looking at the adviser growth, 16 licensee owners had net gains of 21 advisers in total. Capstone Financial Planning took the lead with a gain of four advisers after it welcomed three from AMP and another adviser returning back into advice after a short break.

IA Advice increased by two advisers as previously mentioned, while Australian Retirement Trust were also up by two as both advisers rejoined the industry after a break.

Some 13 licensee owners were up by net one adviser each, such as Oreana, Lifespan, and Bell Financial Group.