One of the key issues confronting financial advice businesses in the current advice landscape is managing how your business will continue to operate once you have decided to exit or retire from the industry. While we are currently witnessing a decline in the total number of advisers in Australia (from over 28,000 to just under 21,000 in the past two years), we know that demand for advice is as strong as ever, and your clients will continue to require strategic planning assistance in the future.

At CountPlus, we have a number of practical succession solutions for advisers and practice principals who are starting to consider ‘what comes next’ for your business and your clients.

Our Owner, Driver-Partner model

CountPlus seeks to enhance the success of the firms we partner with, without loss of ownership, drive, identity or control.

This unique partnership allows firms to better meet current and future challenges by providing strategic support, funding capital and access to a range of professional services which operate as an extension of your business.

We are looking to actively invest in mid to large scale accounting-linked advice firms that ‘fit our family photograph’. This means a client-first culture, strong leadership with a track record of success and a willingness to embrace a partnership relationship.

Our appetite for further growth remains strong and is backed by over $50 million in available capital to be deployed in 2021.

Growth opportunities

If your firm is looking to grow by making acquisitions or merging during this period of intense dislocation in financial advice, then we can provide expertise, funding and scale benefits as part of our Owner, Driver-Partner model. Please download a copy of our overview brochure.

Merger opportunities

If your firm is looking to scale up and join a larger firm, we have a number of interested Member firms across Australia who are motivated to grow their accounting and financial advice operations through either merger or acquisition. In the 2020 calendar year, CountPlus made eight acquisitions of boutique financial planning and accounting firms around the Australia at a total cost of $2.9 million.

You can find out more about our recent acquisitions on our Media Centre.

Selling opportunities

If your firm is looking to sell, we have a number of Member firms who are interested in purchasing client books. Our firms are located all across Australia – we have a national footprint and a deep understanding of the unique challenges confronting clients in different regions. If you’re considering selling a client book, we would work with you to ensure that your clients continue receiving quality, tailored advice for their circumstances through a Member firm in your region.

Next steps

To find out more about these succession options or the benefits of joining Count Financial, please contact our Head of Practice Development and Growth, Joe McCann on 0423 946 439, who can arrange a time to meet with you.