In an ASX announcement on Monday, the Australian Wealth Advisors Group (AWAG) shared that it had completed material investments into two financial services firms, which it said will underwrite the group’s net profit before tax (NPBT) results for FY2025–26.
To this point, AWAG has made an investment into Oneledger Group, a Melbourne-based financial services firm delivering accounting, finance, insurance and financial planning to the local community.
The firm is led by four principal partners and has a team of more than 30 professionals.
After almost 10 years of operation, AWAG said the firm has secured a reputation as “progressive and results driven”, experiencing consistent growth through its adoption of modern accounting methodologies and the integration of advanced technologies and systems to drive operational efficiency.
“AWAG will be working closely with the firm in expanding its footprint in financial planning and the broader wealth management services,” the group said.
“The firm and its clients are growing into this next phase of development, which well suits the respective objectives of the two companies.”
AWAG has also announced a material investment into B2B Invest, which will now be rebranded as AWAG Portfolio Services (APS).
The firm specialised in providing tailored investment portfolio solutions to independent financial advisers, enabling them to efficiently implement and manage direct and unlisted investment portfolios.
Additionally, APS provides comprehensive measurement and reporting capabilities to meet advisers’ ongoing portfolio management needs.
The firm has also recently onboarded its first adviser, who has funds under management and administration (FUMA) nearing $110 million, with future plans to have a minimum of four to six advisers as part of its strategic growth plan.
Through these deals, AWAG will own up to 20 per cent of each firm and earn up to 5 per cent on top line revenue.
This announcement comes less than a year after the group completed its inaugural equity partnership scheme (EPS) investment into Victoria-based advice firm Melican Financial Planning in July 2024.
Through this scheme, AWAG took a 20 per cent stake in the firm for cash consideration. At the time, the group shared its intentions to continue finding high-quality businesses to invest in.
“The Melican transaction has now established our EPS onboarding process and established a solid foundation for the model, covering due diligence, legal, compliance and general administration for future transactions,” AWAG said at the time.
Four months later, the group announced the completion of a second EPS investment into Beattie Financial and Taxation Services, taking a 20 per cent stake in the company for cash consideration.
In its 1H 2025 results in February, AWAG said it had a strong pipeline of EPS investments and was tracking well for its target of six to eight by June 2025.
“The firm specialised in providing tailored investment portfolio solutions to independent financial advisers, enabling them to efficiently implement and manage direct and unlisted investment portfolios.”
Vertical integration 2.0 proceeds apace. Take equity in advice firms, then force the advisers to use your inhouse SMA.