Apt Wealth has posited the move as “strengthening its position as a leading holistic advice firm in Australia.”
Acceptance Finance is a Melbourne-based lending business headquartered in Balwyn, operating since 2002. With representatives in Sydney, Queensland and regional Victoria, Apt Wealth said the firm specialises in mortgage, vehicle and equipment finance.
Apt chief executiveAndrew Dunbar said the partnership supports the firm’s strategy to build a scaled, multi-generational advice business.
“This is about bringing together two high-quality businesses with shared values. It enhances our ability to deliver holistic advice and expands the support and expertise available to our clients.”
In March, Apt said it wanted to create a “multi-generational firm,” appointing senior financial advisers Toby Simpson and Elizabeth Wise, along with advice and client support manager Rochelle Dunham, as equity partners of the business to assist with this.
The firm added that the merger is a key part of its multi-generational model.
“The firm believes this ownership structure supports long-term decision-making, strengthens alignment between advisers and clients, and creates a sustainable platform for growth that is not driven by short-term external shareholder pressures,” Apt Wealth said.
“As part of its long-term growth strategy, Apt Wealth continues to engage with culturally aligned firms that share its vision of building an enduring, employee-owned, multi-generational financial services business.”
Chief executive of Acceptance Finance, Jonathan Cornish, said the merger represents a positive step forward for both clients and staff.
“This partnership ensures our clients continue to receive the personalised advice they value, while gaining access to a broader range of expertise, resources and support. For our team, it creates new opportunities for collaboration, development and long-term career growth within a larger, like-minded business.”
Acceptance Finance’s clients will continue to work with their current advisers.
Earlier this year, Apt Wealth also announced the appointment of Andrew Dunbar as the firm’s new chief executive. With the announcement, Apt Wealth and Dunbar emphasised the importance of succession planning.
“I’m already identifying and thinking about the leaders in the business that’ll take over from me one day,” he said.
“Succession and leadership development is a huge part of what we’re doing at Apt. We want to build a multi-generational, enduring firm for the future, and if you’re going to do that, you need to have succession planning right across the organisation, from the top down, to fulfil those long-term plans.
“We don’t have a 12-month plan, we’ve got a 20-year plan. So, when you’ve got that, there’s a lot of consistency about the way you go about things to create an enduring firm for clients and for staff.”
