AFSL Audit & Investigation Services for Licensees

AFSL House’s comprehensive audit process for Australian financial services licensees mitigates regulatory risk and ensures you have industry leading systems.

Book a FREE Consultation

AFSL Compliance Through Expert Audits, Guaranteed

Australia's Leading AFSL Firm

Complying with Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) Regulations & Obligations.

Understanding AFSL Compliance

An AFSL is a licence issued by ASIC that permits businesses to conduct financial services activities, including offering financial products or advice to retail and wholesale clients.

The licence ensures that only competent and adequately resourced businesses can operate in the financial services industry, under regulatory standards set by ASIC.

Key Regulatory Requirements

AFSL holders must maintain accurate records and conduct regular audits to demonstrate ongoing compliance. This includes lodging annual accounts and audit reports using forms FS70 and FS71 with ASIC.

Additional requirements include maintaining adequate risk management systems, managing conflicts of interest, and having a dispute resolution system for retail clients.

Consequence of Non-Compliance

Non-compliance with AFSL obligations can lead to licence suspension or cancellation, fines, reputational damage, and loss of client trust. Adhering to regulatory requirements is essential to avoid these risks.

At AFSL House, we specialise in auditing your firm’s compliance with AFSL obligations to ensure you meet regulatory standards.

Get Your Free Initial Consultation

Request a Free Consultation with one of our experienced AFSL Lawyers today.

Our 10-Point AFSL Compliance Audit Checklist

At AFSL House, we conduct comprehensive compliance audits that focus on critical areas to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for Australian Financial Services Licensees (AFSL).

Our 10-point audit process is designed to provide clients with a thorough understanding of their compliance status and areas of improvement. Avoiding regulator scrutiny is our ultimate goal.

Up to

95%

Reduction in Compliance Breaches through Proactive Compliance Audits

Up to

95%

Improvement in Regulatory Compliance

#1: Policies & Procedures

We ensure compliance with regulatory requirements through auditing policies and procedures by:

  • Evaluating the effectiveness of compliance frameworks

  • Identifying any gaps in existing procedures

  • Ensuring alignment with current regulations

#2: Breach & Complaint History

We review breach and complaint history to assess organisational response and corrective actions by:

  • Reviewing responses to breaches and complaints

  • Assessing the appropriateness of corrective actions

  • Understanding the organisation’s commitment to compliance and risk management

#3: Organisational Competence

We evaluate organisational competence to ensure capacity in meeting obligations by:

  • Assessing staff qualifications and training

  • Evaluating overall competence related to compliance

  • Ensuring personnel are equipped to uphold compliance standards

#4: Compliance Committee Papers

We audit compliance committee documentation to ensure proper governance and oversight by:

  • Reviewing meeting minutes, reports, and action items

  • Confirming appropriate addressing of compliance issues

  • Ensuring effective governance and oversight

#5: Advice & Service Delivery

We assess the quality of advice and service delivery to clients by:

  • Ensuring adherence to established standards and regulatory obligations

  • Identifying areas for improvement in client interactions

  • Maintaining high-quality client service and advice

#6: Internal Controls & Reporting

We evaluate internal controls & reporting systems to improve operational efficiency by:

  • Assessing the effectiveness of reporting lines and governance standards

  • Evaluating risk management strategies

  • Suggesting improvements to internal controls

#7: Marketing Materials & Communications

We ensure compliance with advertising regulations by auditing marketing materials and communications through:

  • Reviewing promotional content for accuracy and compliance

  • Verifying adherence to legal standards in marketing

  • Ensuring accurate representation of services

#8: Registers

We review AFSL registers maintained by the organisation by:

  • Reviewing trends and other issues with register entries

  • Ensuring accuracy and compliance of all registers

  • Implementing improvements in record keeping standards

#9: Licenses & Registrations

We confirm the validity of licenses and registrations by:

  • Verifying compliance with ASIC and other regulatory body requirements

  • Ensuring all licenses and registrations are current and valid

  • Maintaining compliance with licensing obligations

#10: Disclosure Documents

We review disclosure documents to ensure they comply with regulatory obligations by:

  • Ensuring they are up-to-date with regulatory requirements

  • Reviewing disclosure documents against products offered

  • Updating disclosure documents to reflect trends in ASIC enforcements

Get Your Free Initial Consultation

Request a Free Consultation with one of our experienced AFSL Lawyers today.

Step 1: Initial Consultation

We start with a free consultation to understand your business, compliance and legacy issues, and lay the foundation for our audit scope.

Step 2: Comprehensive Audit Preparation

This crucial stage ensures a smooth audit process. We request necessary documents (compliance procedures, registers and committee papers), review your compliance history, and identify key personnel for audit meetings.

Step 3: Execution of the Audit

Our team conducts a thorough examination and evaluation, including meetings with key personnel (responsible managers, directors), review of legal and compliance documentation, and assessment of internal controls and procedures.

Step 4: Reporting & Recommendations

You’ll receive detailed reports outlining our assessment of regulatory compliance, recommendations for improvement, and a summary of any identified issues. These actionable insights empower you to maintain AFSL compliance and implement industry leading procedures.

Our Compliance Audit Process

At AFSL House, we follow a structured approach to conducting compliance audits, ensuring issues are identified or remedied before they become significant. Our audit process consists of several key stages designed to meet the specific needs of AFSL holders.

Why Choose AFSL House?

Our point of difference is simple: we specialise in working exclusively with financial services companies, offering solutions that combine best practice processes with full legal compliance.

  • Deep Industry Understanding

    We have an intimate understanding of the issues financial services companies face and how leading businesses in your industry are addressing them.

  • Best Practice + Legal Compliance

    Our solutions marry best practice processes with legally compliant strategies to ensure your business operates efficiently and effectively.

  • Broader Perspective

    We apply a different perspective to your challenges, going beyond the narrow focus of traditional law firms or compliance providers to deliver holistic, practical solutions.

Get Your Free Initial Consultation

Request a Free Consultation with one of our experienced AFSL Lawyers today.

Rated 5-Star By Our Clients

Free & Practical AFSL Guides & Checklists

Free 90-seconds Assessment

Are you complying with your AFSL?

We understand the challenges of complying with your AFSL obligations. That’s why we created this free 90-second assessment.

Quickly check your status and get the insights you need. Take the test now.

101 Guide to Applying for AFSL

A practical guide covering the key steps, milestones & timeframes for obtaining an AFS License.

Your AFSL Roadmap

An illustrative chart with key milestones & steps in applying for an AFSL & ensuring ongoing compliance.

AFSL Compliance Checklist

AFSL Compliance Calendar

Comprehensive calendar outlining key compliance deadlines & obligations for AFSL holders throughout the year.

Get Your Free Initial Consultation

Request a Free Consultation with one of our experienced AFSL Lawyers today.

Insights Library

Practical AFSL Guides & Insights

Unlock free AFSL guides, checklists, and insights in our regularly updated Insights Library, written by our legal experts.

- Guide -
- Guide -
Guide to Buying an Australian Financial Services Licence
Peter Hagias

Who We Are

Founded in 2020 by senior financial services lawyer Peter Hagias, AFSL House specialises in regulatory and legal services for AFSL holders. Our expert team serves fintech companies, fund managers, and financial planners both locally and internationally, delivering compliance solutions that withstand regulatory scrutiny.

Under Peter’s leadership as an industry consultant and compliance committee chair, we continue to provide outstanding support to Australia’s financial services sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do I need to undergo an AFSL audit?

All AFSL holders must undergo an annual audit, with financial statements typically lodged within 3-4 months after the end of the financial year. For disclosing entities, the deadline is shorter at three months.

What documents are needed for an AFSL audit?

Key documents required for an AFSL audit include financial statements, compliance records, and internal policies and procedures. Specifically, licensees must prepare forms FS70 and FS71, which include the profit and loss statement, balance sheet, and the auditor’s report. Having these documents organised and readily available will facilitate a smoother audit process.

100% FREE DOWNLOAD

101 Guide to
AFSL Applications

Get access to our comprehensive starter guide on applying for your Australian Financial Services Licence from ASIC, including the essential steps, milestones and timeframes.