Bell Financial Group says 2018 has marked the best start to a year in a decade for the broking and advisory house, as it shrugged off several run-ins with the corporate regulator.

Sydney-based Bell reported net profit climbed 26 per cent to $20.6 million in the 12 months ended December 31, buoyed by its retail broking arm and strong equity capital markets activity at the smaller end of the market.