As we reach the end of 2025, I want to thank you for your support of the Institute of Financial Professionals Australia (IFPA) and to report on what the association has been doing on your behalf this year. In a climate of rising costs, regulatory uncertainty and constant change, IFPA has focused on practical support for working practitioners and on defending the values of personal responsibility, reward for effort and a strong private sector.
Our community of tax, accounting, superannuation and financial advice professionals continues to grow, particularly among small and medium practices that carry much of the compliance burden for Australian families and businesses.
This year we delivered a successful national conference and a full calendar of discussion groups, webinars and specialist events, including The Super Playbook, all designed so that the hours you invest in CPD translate directly into better outcomes for your clients and your practice. Our core publications including the Tax Summary, State Tax Summary and SMSF Manual remain the day-to-day tools members rely on to navigate increasing complexity.
A major milestone this year was the launch of IFPA’s AI Tax Helpline as a member only service. Built on our own technical content, the helpline is designed to assist with targeted, issue based questions and to point you quickly to relevant guidance, particularly when you are working outside normal business hours. It is there to support, not replace, your judgement and formal written advice, and forms part of a broader shift towards a more digital, on demand member experience, including recorded CPD and an expanding online resource library.
We also brought the profession together at the Australian Financial Industry Awards in Sydney, where we celebrated excellence across tax, accounting, superannuation and financial advice. The strength of the finalist field this year underlined the quality of work being done quietly in practices of all sizes across the country.
On the advocacy front, IFPA has continued to argue for simpler, more workable laws and a reduced regulatory burden. We have made detailed submissions on issues such as the compensation scheme of last resort, payday super, Division 296 tax, non-arm’s length income and other proposed changes that risk punishing prudent savers and honest practitioners who do the right thing. We have pressed government and regulators to focus on clear rules, proportionate enforcement and respect for the role of professional judgement, rather than endless new layers of red tape.
This year also saw a refreshed leadership team for the association, with Scott Heathwood elected President and Chairman, Kurtis Alaeddin elected Vice President, and outgoing Chairman Stephen Ware continuing to serve as Treasurer. Their experience, together with the work of our committees and staff, puts IFPA on a solid footing as we move into the next phase of growth, including a stronger footprint in the financial advice community and expanding corporate membership.
None of this is possible without you. Every membership renewal, every event you attend, every piece of feedback you provide strengthens IFPA’s ability to stand up for practitioners who keep the system working, pay their own way and help their clients do the same. On behalf of the Board and the team, thank you for your support throughout 2025. I wish you, your families and your staff a safe and peaceful Christmas and New Year, and I look forward to working with you in 2026.
Yours sincerely
Ky Wilson
Chief Executive Officer
Institute of Financial Professionals Australia