The financial services sector is arguably Australia’s fastest growth industry (or profession) and one that is creating career opportunities for graduates.

Many universities are now offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Financial Services and/or Financial Planning.

CQU is proposing to offer a Bachelor of Financial Planning in 2008. However, graduates with a qualification in accounting or financial management are also well-placed to take advantage of career opportunities emerging in financial services.

Two graduates and a student of CQU Gold Coast International Campus have taken advantage of a unique opportunity to attend an industry seminar on the 'Impact of Proposed Changes to Advice, Disclosure & PS146'.

This relates to the quality of advice given to individuals on retail financial products and the licensing (and training) of advisors – both of which are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

This is to be achieved by refining the existing financial services regulation in relation to disclosure, advice documentation and training. These changes could have a significant impact on the way advice is provided and on the training of advisers.

The seminar held in Brisbane on February 8 involved an expert panel discussion on the Government’s recently announced proposals for simplifying the regulatory system.

Gold Coast Campus Director, Associate Professor Ken Bruce was the seminar Chair.

The seminar gave the students an opportunity to mix with industry professionals, including training and compliance managers, and to hear first hand the insights from industry experts.

Photo (left to right): Susanna Feng (Master of Accounting graduate), Pauline Vamos (former ASIC Director, Financial Services Regulation – Licensing and Business Operations, and now a consultant to the industry); Soohyeon Bae (Master of Financial Management graduate), Forest Li (Bachelor of Accounting student) and Associate Professor Ken Bruce.