I'm an Adviser I'm after Advice MENU We have driven the accounting-led model for 40 years because we believe in the model. Who we are Count Financial is Australia's leading network of accounting-led financial advice businesses. For 40 years, we've driven this model because we believe in the trust and understanding that comes from the accountant/client relationship. Our product is financial advice – that means we’re not institutionally aligned, and our Members are not incentivised to sell products. At a time when other licensees are exiting the industry, we’re doubling down on our commitment to financial advice because we understand the important role it plays in helping Australians achieve their financial and lifestyle goals. Our heritage Count Financial was founded by Barry Lambert in 1980. What started with an idea for accountants to provide financial advice has transformed into a network of expertise and experience with 40 years of history. In 2011, Count was purchased by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and In 2019, it was acquired by ASX-listed company CountPlus Limited. Our Member network Our national network of Member firms are committed to our accounting-led approach, with the majority offering both accounting and financial advice solutions to clients. They are a community of like-minded peers who engage with each other, share best practice and have a sense of family. Our Leadership Team Our Leadership Team have extensive experience in financial advice and wealth management. They are passionate about helping our Members operate as effectively and efficiently as possible to deliver quality advice to clients. Mark Rantall Mark was CEO of the Financial Planning Association for six years, where he helped lead a transition of the association to individual professional membership together with spearheading the move to ban conflicted remuneration and lift education standards of members. Prior to his role at the Financial Planning Association, Mark was the Managing Director for Godfrey Pembroke for over 6 years and together with the GPL PDG, led the first institutional transition to fee for service advice in Australia. Matthew Rowe Matthew is the former Managing Director of Hood Sweeney, the 30th largest Accounting firm in Australia and twice a BRW top 10 fastest growing firm. Matthew successfully managed his transition and succession from the business to attend Harvard Business School. Matthew was also the longest serving Chairman in the history of the Financial Planning Association of Australia and represented Australia on the Global Standards Body. In 2017, Matthew was appointed by the Minister for Revenue and Financial Services to the Board of the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority. Andrew Kennedy Andrew was appointed Chief Advice Officer of Count Financial in February 2020, after being the CEO and Managing Director of Total Financial Solutions Ltd. Andrew has over 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry, having held a number of senior managerial positions across Project, Distribution and General Management functions in companies such as NAB, ING and AMP. Kara Boden Kara has over 25 years’ experience in wealth management, having worked as a financial adviser and held senior positions in distribution, funds management, and practice management. Kara has worked with ABN Amro, Macquarie Bank, AMP Capital, Financial Wisdom, and has been with Count Financial since 2018. Reg Gabila Reg has over 23 years’ experience in the Financial Advice Technology domain. Prior to joining Count Financial in November 2019, Reg spent 16 years as the Head of Advice Technology for BT/Westpac with system owner responsibilities for the Securitor, Magnitude, St George and Westpac Financial Planning systems. Reg has also worked as a para-planner for Sealcorp Holdings and as a Business Development Executive for Iress. Simon Jeffery-Bilich Simon has over 20 years’ experience in the financial advice industry. His more recent roles include leading the self-employed advice network at Aon Australia and leading the development of an adviser digital marketing platform at TAL. Prior to this, Simon spent 13 years at AXA and AMP where he led a range of business units focused on practice management and supporting the financial advice network. Phil Creswell Phil has over 30 years’ experience in financial services, starting out in chartered accounting before moving into the financial planning field in 1999. Most recently, Phil worked with IOOF from 2003 until April 2020. During his time at IOOF, Phil held a number of senior positions including Head of Compliance and Professional Standards, and Head of Advice Response where his responsibilities included monitoring and supervision of financial planners, complaints handling, incidents and breaches assessment, regulatory interactions and remediation. Count Charitable Foundation In 2004, the Count Charitable Foundation (CCF), a private ancillary fund, was founded by Count Financial Limited and Joy and Barry Lambert. The CCF was established to support Count Members and Count staff in their philanthropic endeavours and help them make a significant difference in their communities. Want to learn more about our full-service licensee offer? Visit the Join Count page to discover the benefits we can bring to your business and how to get in touch. Like to know more? State Who we are Our purpose What we offer Media Centre Contact us 02 8218 8778 Mon – Fri 9:00am - 6.00pm (Sydney time) Important information: This web page may contain general advice. It does not take account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should talk to a financial adviser before making a financial decision. This web page has been prepared by Count Financial Limited ABN 19 001 974 625, AFSL 227232, (Count). Count is 85% owned by CountPlus Limited ACN 126 990 832 (CountPlus) of Level 8, 1 Chifley Square, Sydney NSW 2000 and 15% owned by Count Member Firm Pty Ltd ACN 633 983 490 of Level 8, 1 Chifley Square, Sydney NSW 2000. CountPlus is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Count Member Firm Pty Ltd is owned by Count Member Firm DT Pty Ltd ACN 633 956 073 which holds the assets under a discretionary trust for certain beneficiaries including potentially some corporate authorised representatives of Count Financial Ltd. Count Wealth Accountants® is the business name of Count. Count advisers are authorised representatives of Count. While care has been taken in the preparation of this web page, no liability is accepted by Count, its related entities, agents and employees for any loss arising from reliance on the information contained in the web page. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Whistleblower Policy © Copyright 2021 Count