Practical compliance guidance for Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs) who manage their own FAIS and FICA compliance but want expert guidance when it matters most.
Masthead’s IFA Assist provides practical support and informed advice tailored to your business. Work with a dedicated Masthead Compliance Consultant to stay up to date with the latest regulatory obligations.
This service does not include appointing a Compliance Officer on record, making it ideal for IFAs who prefer to take ownership of their regulatory compliance requirements while accessing expert guidance.
Compliance Support Designed Around Your Business
Compliance requirements continue to evolve, and many IFAs need access to trusted guidance while retaining responsibility for their own compliance.
With Masthead’s IFA Assist, you can stay up to date with:
Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act (FAIS) requirements
Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) obligations
Risk Management and Compliance Programme (RMCP) requirements
Regulatory changes
Whether you need guidance on a specific issue or ongoing support throughout the year, our consultants provide practical, business-focused input that helps you move forward with confidence.
What’s Included
IFA Assist is designed for IFAs that take responsibility for daily compliance management while benefiting from expert guidance and practical support.
IFA Assist includes:
A dedicated Compliance Consultant who will provide practical guidance tailored to your business’s compliance needs and regulatory obligations.
An annual compliance plan with virtual engagements structured to keep you on track. Optional onsite engagements are available on request.
Telephone and email support, giving you access to guidance when you need it.
Guidance on current and upcoming FAIS and FICA legislation to help you stay informed about relevant regulatory developments.
Access to selected Masthead templates that can assist your FSP in implementing and maintaining required processes and documentation.
Access to Masthead newsletters featuring regulatory insights, industry developments and practical compliance guidance relevant to your business.
Receive updates about industry developments and deadlines relevant to your business.
Additional services are available should your business require further support, including the Masthead Fit & Proper Dashboard and CPD Package.
Who This Service Is For
This service is designed for IFAs who operate as one-person businesses and manage their own day‑to‑day compliance but want trusted access to experienced consultants for advice, review and direction.
How It Works
Annual consulting hours
Consulting is based on a minimum annual allocation of hours, providing continuity and meaningful engagement. Additional hours can be added as your business needs change.
Benefit from a dedicated Compliance Consultant
Work with a dedicated Compliance Consultant, giving you consistent, practical guidance from someone who understands your business.
Use your hours where they add the most value
Follow our structured compliance plan or use your hours to focus on a specific compliance issue in your business.
Stay informed about your compliance
Receive clear feedback on the compliance status of your business.
Access support when needed
Use your consulting hours to access support from your consultant by telephone or email.
Add support when needed
Additional consulting hours can be added if your business or compliance requirements change.
Why Businesses Choose Masthead IFA Assist
You remain in control
Manage your own compliance approach while accessing expert guidance from a dedicated Masthead Compliance Consultant.
Focus on what matters now
Use sessions for incidents, document reviews, regulatory updates and any FAIS and FICA-related questions.
Flexible, client-led support
There is a structured compliance plan, but sessions can be shaped around your needs, priorities and risks.
Support that adapts to your needs
Additional consulting hours can be added when your business requires more support or engagement.
Guidance that is practical and actionable
Receive clear feedback and recommendations that can be implemented within your business.
Built for South African FSPs
Our IFA Assist solution is grounded in the realities of our financial services regulation and operational compliance requirements.
Let’s Discuss a Compliance Solution That Fits Your Business
Whether you need guidance on a specific compliance matter, support with operational processes or ongoing access to compliance expertise, Masthead can help.
Speak to a Masthead Compliance Consultant about a practical compliance solution tailored to your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to appoint a Compliance Officer on record?
No. This service is designed for IFA businesses that are exempt from the regulatory requirement to appoint a Compliance Officer and that manage their own compliance internally.
Can Masthead assist with RMCP reviews?
Yes. Consultants can use the allocated support hours to provide guidance and feedback on RMCP documents, FICA processes and related compliance requirements.
Is this service suitable for sole proprietor FSPs?
After being approved by Cabinet earlier this year, the Conduct of Financial Institutions (COFI) Bill is well on its way to becoming law. But what will happen to the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act when that happens? We look at what lives on in COFI – and the key departures, including areas such as activity-based licensing – and how Financial Services Providers (FSPs) can prepare.
Can additional consulting hours be added?
Yes. This service was designed for sole proprietors and other one-person FSPs that need flexible access to compliance expertise and support.
Can consulting sessions be held onsite?
Yes. Optional onsite engagements are available on request.
Does the service include support on regulatory changes?
Yes. Consultants provide guidance on current and upcoming regulatory developments relevant to your business.
WHO ARE WE
Established in 2004, Masthead (Pty) Ltd offers nationwide compliance and business support to independent financial advisors, corporate FSPs, credit providers, legal and property practitioners, and others. We help our clients navigate key regulations like FAIS, FICA, POPIA, and the National Credit Act. With a team of experts, we provide practical solutions across compliance, practice management, and business development to help businesses stay compliant and thrive.
Masthead (Pty) Ltd is part of the Masthead Group, alongside Masthead Financial Planning (Pty) Ltd – a licensed FSP dedicated to supporting financial advisors with streamlined operational and regulatory solutions.
Known for her strategic thinking and pragmatic leadership style, Joleen brings more than 22 years of experience across financial services, strategy, adviser distribution and business transformation. She leads the Masthead Group, a leading South African advisory, compliance and practice management businesses serving the financial services industry. Her career spans senior leadership roles at Discovery, Old Mutual and Masthead, where she has built a reputation for helping businesses navigate regulatory change, drive sustainable growth and deliver meaningful outcomes.
Her leadership philosophy is that lasting success is achieved by aligning strategy, people and purpose.
Joleen holds a BCom (Accounting) from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and an MBA from the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business.
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LAURENCE MULLER
Finance Director & Chief Operating Officer
Laurence joined Masthead as Head of Finance in 2007. Two years later he was appointed to his current position as Financial Director and has since served as a director on the Masthead board. During 2021 he was also appointed as COO.
Laurence has a BAcc and BCompt Honours degree and is a Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)). He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning through the University of Stellenbosch Business School and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and member of the Financial Planning Institute (FPI). He has also successfully completed the FSCA’s RE 1 and 5 Examinations.
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ANRI DIPPENAAR
Head of Compliance
Anri Dippenaar is the Head of Compliance at Masthead, where she leads Masthead’s compliance offering across a broad range of regulated industries. She has extensive experience in financial services compliance and is recognised for her ability to translate complex regulatory frameworks into practical, scalable compliance solutions that strengthen governance and operational resilience. Under her leadership, Masthead supports a wide range of regulated businesses, including independent and corporate financial services providers (FSPs), insurers, UMAs, binder holders, crypto asset service providers (CASPs), as well as accountable institutions such as legal practitioners, property practitioners and high-value goods dealers.
Anri is actively involved in industry forums and regulatory workstreams relating to COFI and broader regulatory reform, and is a regular speaker at national conferences, where she is known for delivering pragmatic, implementation-focused insights on regulatory change and compliance best practice.
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SHERLENE NEETHLING
Head of Operations
Sherlene has more than 25 years’ experience in Financial Services having worked in the Employee Benefits, Linked Product and Life Assurance environments prior to joining Masthead in 2006.
Sherlene has a wealth of experience having worked in many areas including, product marketing, traditional marketing, and operations. As Head of Operations at Masthead, she leads the IT, marketing, operations and learning centre teams.
Sherlene has a marketing qualification and a Certificate in Journalism.
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ANDRIA HIBBERT
Head of Corporate Accounts and Regional Manager
Andria has been in the financial industry for more than 33 years having worked in banks and insurance companies. She joined Old Mutual Broker Distribution in 1995 as an Admin Manager in Durban and later joined Masthead when they opened their doors in October 2004 as the Regional Services Manager for KwaZulu-Natal. Five years later she was appointed as the Regional Manager in KwaZulu-Natal and in 2014 she was transferred to Johannesburg as the Regional Manager.
In 2020, she took on the additional role of National Key Account Manager and was responsible for managing all Corporate Accounts. In 2022, Andria was promoted to Head of Corporate Accounts and transferred to the Western Cape as Regional Manager.
Andria has a BCom in Industrial Psychology degree. She is also a registered Compliance Officer with the FSCA for CAT I, II, IIA, and IV and has successfully completed the FSCA’s RE 1 and RE 3 Examinations.
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MAQBOOL SONDAY
Head of Finance
Maqbool joined Masthead as a Financial Accountant in 2008. Seven years later he was appointed as Finance Manager and then appointed to his current position as Head of Finance in 2022.
Maqbool has a BCom Accounting degree from the University of the Western Cape. From 2003 and 2005, he completed his articles at SizweNtsalubaVSP and in 2006 he went on to complete his BCom Honours degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
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HEIDI DE LANGE
Regional Manager and Compliance Officer
Heidi has more than 33 years’ experience in the financial services industry. In 2004, she moved from Old Mutual to Masthead as a Regional Service Manager. Nine years later she was appointed as Regional Manager of the Gauteng North, Limpopo and Mpumalanga region and went on to become a Compliance Officer to complement the management offering.
Heidi has a BCom Entrepreneurs degree from Unisa and she is approved as a CAT I and CAT II Compliance Officer. She has also successfully passed all the FSCA’s Regulatory Examinations.
