Australia’s top financial planner honoured at FPA Professionals Congress


The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA), today announced the winner of the 2015 FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award – Christopher Smith CFP®, from VISIS Private Wealth in Brisbane.

The FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award is given to a financial planner who embodies the highest professional standards and has delivered best practice advice which has led to superior client outcomes.

According to Mark Rantall, FPA CEO, the award winner has demonstrated true professional leadership and excellence, and a desire to go above and beyond for clients.

“Chris’ commitment to professional standards as embodied by the FPA Code of Professional Practice, and the quality of the financial advice he provides to his clients, contributed to this award,” he said.

Mr Rantall went on to say that the theme of this year’s FPA Professionals Congress is “Shaping Futures”, which is exactly what professional financial planners do, every single day.

“That’s why I am so pleased we can recognise someone like Chris, who has made such an outstanding contribution to our profession. The quality of his advice has already shaped and improved the future of his clients, and I hope that he will be an inspiration to others.

“When we look for true excellence in financial planning, we look for the ability to provide clear, easily-understood advice, regardless of the complexity of an individual client’s circumstances. And that’s what we’ve seen in Chris,” he said.

Mr Smith started VISIS Private Wealth in 2001, with a view to upholding the values of excellence, integrity and knowledge and relying on these to underpin the delivery of high quality professional advice and service. His business model is based on the fundamental tenet that clients should have confidence in the objectivity of the advice they receive, as well as in the ethical and financial motives of the firm.

Mr Smith said that he felt honoured to have received the FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award. “I work very hard to achieve high standards for myself, the profession and ultimately my clients. To be recognised in front of my peers and by our professional body is extremely satisfying and humbling. It is a culmination of a thoroughly enjoyable 16 year journey and I am looking forward to a bright future for all of us,” he said.

Shortlisted candidates: FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award
Mark Alexander CFP® Crosbie Wealth Management
Ursula Boorman CFP® Direct Advisers
Mark Borg CFP® MBA Financial Strategist
Michael Cirson CFP® MBA Financial Strategist
Mark Gibson CFP® First State Super Financial Services
Sally Huynh CFP® Shadforth Financial Group
Amanda Jarosz CFP® Momentum Planning
Prudence Martin CFP® Warrington Scott Financial Consultants
Justin Pratt CFP® Mercer Financial Advice
Craig Stobbie CFP® knp Financial Services
Ashley Tindall CFP® HPH Solutions
Cheyne Whitford CFP® SWA Financial Planning