UniSuper, the $50 billion superannuation fund for the higher education and research sector, has further enhanced its breadth of financial support to members with each of its advice offices throughout Australia accredited under the Financial Planning Association (FPA) Professional Practice program.
The move makes UniSuper the first profit-to-members superannuation fund to have a nationwide footprint of FPA Professional Practices, with all of its advice offices accredited.
The FPA Professional Practice program is the highest accreditation for an advice business, with each office required to demonstrate the highest professional and ethical standards, through a commitment to the FPA Code of Professional practice and a majority of advisers in each office holding the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® or CFP® designation.
UniSuper employs more than 30 advisers nationally. Over 90% of Private Client Advisers are CFP professionals and over 65% of all UniSuper advisers are CFP certified – well above the benchmark set by the FPA to be recognised as a Professional Practice. It has strengthened its adviser presence over the past year, establishing dedicated advice offices in each capital city as a central location for members to seek advice in person.
Jack McCartney, UniSuper Executive Manager – Advice, said the commitment to providing industry best practice financial advice was part of the fund’s mission to deliver members greater retirement outcomes – through both the accumulation and retirement phases of their life.
“We strongly believe in the benefits that quality financial advice can make in helping members – at any stage of their life – achieve their financial goals. As FPA Professional Practices, our advice offices are a trusted environment for our members to seek professional tailored advice across a broad range of topics,” Mr McCartney said.
“Our membership base is unique, they are engaged, well-educated and we have privileged access which enables us to design products and solutions – such as our open Defined Benefit Division – specifically for our members. This makes access to quality, professional advice that demonstrates understanding of our members’ needs paramount.”
Dante DeGori, FPA’s General Manager Policy and Conduct, said the Professional Practice accreditation for each of its advice offices was deserved recognition of UniSuper’s commitment to providing its members with quality financial advice.
“The FPA’s mission is to ensure every Australian has access to the highest standard of financial advice. As the first profit-to-member superannuation fund to achieve the Professional Practice accreditation for each of its advice offices nationally, UniSuper has set the benchmark for helping its members access trusted advice to help achieve their financial goals,” Mr De Gori said.
UniSuper Advice is fee for service and avoids any commissions for recommending investment strategies or insurance products. If any payments are received they are returned to members.
Encouraging members to seek out this unique advice offer is the centre of a new campaign – Advice Less Ordinary – launched by UniSuper today, and coincides with the FPA’s 15th annual Financial Planning Week which aims to educate Australians about the value of good financial advice.
“We’ve built our national advice footprint in response to increased demand from members for professional advice that covers not just Superannuation-related topics but broader financial issues such as investment strategies, wealth accumulation, insurance or retirement and estate planning,” said Mr McCartney.
Source: UniSuper
