Who is responsible for ensuring that clients receive a copy of the FSG?

The responsibility for ensuring that clients receive a copy of the Financial Services Guide (FSG) primarily lies with the licensee or authorized representative. The FSG serves as an essential document that provides clients with important information about the financial services being offered, including details about the provider's advice, fees, and any potential conflicts of interest.

The licensee is typically the entity that holds the necessary licenses to operate in the financial services sector and is thus responsible for compliance with regulatory requirements. Authorized representatives act on behalf of the licensee and share the obligation to provide clients with this crucial document. They must ensure that clients are adequately informed about the nature of the services and how they operate.

In contrast, while a financial advisor may facilitate the process by providing the FSG directly to clients, they are doing so under the umbrella of the licensee's obligations. Similarly, the compliance department of the broking firm and the product issuer may have important roles in managing compliance and informational resources, but the direct responsibility to deliver the FSG to clients lies with the licensee or their authorized representatives.