Licensing and Funds Management Advice
Personal advice on financial services licensing and funds management
I help people set up and run investment funds, and businesses that need an Australian Financial Services Licence or an Australian Credit Licence.
I am a sole practitioner. You deal with me directly from the first call to the final lodgement.
I am David Butterfield, a Chartered Accountant, registered tax agent and professional member of the Institute of Financial Professionals Australia. I began my career at Touché Ross and then PricewaterhouseCoopers before starting my own practice.
I have worked with pooled investments for most of my career. For many years, around half of my clients were film and television producers. Since 2000 my focus has been Australian financial services licensing and the funds management industry.
For 26 years I have specialised in the Australian Financial Services Licence and the Australian Credit Licence, from application to ongoing compliance. I act as a responsible manager and compliance committee member for some clients.
I have been managing director of two funds management businesses investing in property, mortgages, securities and derivatives, and Chief Financial Officer of an institutional funds management business investing in securities and derivatives. My specialties are licensing advice, managing legal work, strategic advice and general business advice.
My experience as a director and responsible manager covers both retail and wholesale licences.
How I Can Help
- Applying for a new Australian Financial Services Licence or Australian Credit Licence or varying an existing one.
- Acting as responsible manager, compliance officer or compliance committee member for licence holders.
- Setting up and running managed investment schemes, including property and mortgage funds.
- Preparing disclosure documents and managing legal work, third party trustees and/or responsible managers and administrators.
- Providing financial services compliance advice.
Who I Work With
- Investment managers who want to run their own fund.
- Property owners and developers setting up a property fund.
- Mortgage and other lending businesses that need a credit licence.
What Has Changed Recently
Licensing and fund rules have changed recently. Applications for an Australian Financial Services Licence now go through the online Regulatory Portal run by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (the regulator). Reports of significant breaches are due within 30 calendar days. Buy now pay later providers now need an Australian Credit Licence. The regulator is examining private credit and property funds closely. My service pages explain what each change means for you.
Financial Services Licence Applications and Variations
I have prepared several applications and variations for the Australian Financial Services Licence over many years. I have been a responsible manager for various licence holders over a 26-year period.
If you provide credit to consumers, or arrange credit for them, you will generally need an Australian Credit Licence. Since 10 June 2025 this includes buy now pay later providers.
If you issue a financial product or provide financial advice, you will most likely need an Australian Financial Services Licence. Operating without one can lead to fines and other penalties.
I will guide you through the application, which is lodged online with the regulator.
