The alternatives sector is unique in that it’s largely defined by what it’s not. Accordingly, how you fit alternatives within your existing asset class structure will depend on relativity, and how the investments interact with the other asset classes according to Atchison’s Kev Toohey.
The private markets juggernaut is one that has also thrown up a wealth of data that other players can use to sharpen up due diligence when making their own investment decisions – especially in the growing secondaries market.
SMSFA partners with Deakin and Kaplan
Deakin University, the largest provider of postgraduate qualifications to the financial planning sector this week announced a partnership with the SMSF Association.
Along with Kaplan Professional, Deakin will allow students in their Master of Financial Planning degrees to complete SMSF Association accredited requirements. The course will include a unit that meets the educational requirement to gain the SMSF Specialist Adviser designation (SSATM).
Regarded as the ‘symbol of excellence’ in the industry, the SSA accreditation and inclusion in degrees is another step towards professionalisation and potentially a reduction in the overlap of educational requirements.
Commenting on the partnership, SMSF Association CEO John Maroney said “We are thrilled to partner with Kaplan Professional and Deakin University to further enhance education standards and professionalism in the SMSF sector.
“We have always maintained SMSF advice should be underpinned by specialist education and these new partnerships offer a professional pathway for financial planning students wanting to obtain both a Master of Financial Planning degree and the SMSF Association’s SMSF Specialist Advisor designation” he says.
Commenting on the announcement, Kaplan Professional CEO Brian Knight says: “We are delighted to be able to offer more choice and depth in specialist expertise to advisers, providing the opportunity to achieve our highly-regarded Master of Financial Planning together with this industry-leading SMSF advice designation.
Marc Olynyk, Financial Planning Program Director at Deakin University, says: “The University is excited to announce this partnership with the SMSF Association that allows Deakin financial planning students to complete the SSA educational requirements as an elective option within their Master of Financial Planning degree so they can graduate with an academic qualification and an SMSF Specialist Advisor designation.
“The SMSF sector is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the superannuation industry and having a recognised designation to provide professional and competent SMSF advice is becoming increasingly important for advisers.”
