Membership of the QAN is open to all advisers - both authorised and registered.

AXA chief executive Ralph Stewart says the aim of the QAN is to lead the ongoing improvement and development of the advice industry to benefit the financial well being of New Zealanders. 

"With the advice industry at the forefront of financial services, it is in a perfect position to help make a positive difference to the financial confidence of New Zealanders from all walks of life," says Stewart.

The QAN provides Advisers with an extensive range of tools and resources designed to help them deliver a robust professional service to customers.

Resources include access to:

• Professional adviser training and education with the AXA Academy. It was formed three years ago and is a Delegated Assessment Organisation (DAO).
• A robust complaints support service that is designed to help advisers try to resolve a customer complaint early and amicably - and without it needing to be escalated to a Dispute Resolution Scheme.
• Guidelines and templates to help authorised financial advisers complete their essential Adviser Business Statement (ABS).

AXA says member advisers also get the opportunity to stand out from the competition with the QAN quality mark which will be awarded to advisers who meet a rigorous set of criteria.

Stewart says the QAN wants to set the benchmark for first-class advice for New Zealanders.

"The QAN Quality mark is a great goal for advisers to strive for because it gives them a marketing edge and helps prospective customers make a choice based on quality."