Barry Lambert, head of listed dealer group Count Financial, told the record 1,150 delegates at its annual conference in New Zealand yesterday that it was on track for a 40 per cent jump in earnings for this tax year.

Lambert also announced the resignation of Len Spencer, Count Chair, who will step down from the position after the group’s 2006 annual general meeting. “;After 10 months trading I can now say that we expect EBIT to be no less than $23 million…up 40 per cent on the 2004/05 result, and this will be followed by a strong 1H07, on the back of substantially increased funds and loans under advice,”; Lambert said in a statement to the ASX yesterday. He said the total funds under advice in the group now total $10.95 billion, $5.13 billion of which is held in the group’s recommended platforms. The group also has outstanding loans of $2.05 billion. Also at the Count conference, Marianne Perkovic, chief operating officer, revealed its advisers would be able to access reverse mortgage products provided by ABN Amro, Blue Stone Equity Release and Macquarie Mortgages. “;Due to strong consumer interest and a changing market place, we have chosen a panel of lenders with quality and cost-effective products,”; Perkovic said. As well, she released details of a new online self-managed superannuation trust deed service available to Count planners, called Supercentral, and backed by Townsend Business & Corporate Lawyers.