I don’t know if it’s that we have just had our annual audit (which we passed with flying colours), the fact that I keep reading about ongoing scandals within the financial services industry, or the call for another Royal Commission into the industry, but I feel compelled to pen my thoughts.
Knowing the hoops we have to jump through to get a clean slate come audit time, I’m always amazed when I read about another scandal embracing my industry. I say my industry because I take it personally………even though I probably shouldn’t!
Likewise, because I take it personally (as we all do at COMPASS) it really annoys me (and yes I wanted to use some other words) when I read about blatant fraud or misconduct, because like it or not, I know a bit of mud sticks to my industry every time it becomes front page news.
I am really proud of the role we play at COMPASS in helping people achieve their goals. We are fortunate enough to see people experience incredible highs and sometimes we have to help them as they go through terrible lows, but through thick and thin we are there helping them make a difference. That’s the beauty of my industry and a very privileged position to be in.
However every time there is another scandal I know it will turn “non-advised” people further away from seeking advice, and knowing the difference we can make that annoys me. I’m passionate about the value we add for clients and the difference we make, that’s why it annoys me so much.
I’m all for enforcing the highest standards possible, but I guess we all just have to understand that you can’t legislate against stupidity or advisers who just want to blatantly do the wrong thing………..and once again that’s what we’re reading about day in day out.
I realise I’m probably preaching to the converted, but like I said, I just needed to get it off my chest. Thank you for indulging me.
Robert.