This category recognises CFP® professionals who have delivered best practice advice that has led to superior client outcomes. Awards in this category will recognise worthy CFP professionals who have demonstrated the highest professional standards embodied by an FPA member.

Entry requirements:

• You hold CFP® practitioner status
• You provide face-to-face advice on a daily basis to clients
• You have a clear compliance record.

What the judges are looking for:

• Lives the “client first” principle
• Overall impact to the community
• Role model and leader within the profession and adheres to professional standards and ethics
• Has made a positive contribution to the Profession

How to enter:

• All entries will be conducted online through the FPA Awards 2017 online portal
• Supporting documents can be uploaded in the online portal.

Written submission requirements

The Written Submission must answer the questions below. The maximum score per question is indicated below.

• Explain the types of clients you work with, including any areas of advice that you specialise in. You might like to outline your customer value proposition, if appropriate. (10 points)
• What steps do you take to ensure that your clients’ interests are always put first, e.g. ethical framework? (10 points)
• Detail the financial planning process you use with clients. (10 points)
• How do you identify suitable strategies or solutions for a client? (10 points)
• Describe your client review process and timeframes. (10 points)
• Give an example of how you have supported or mentored another member of the financial planning community. (10 points)
• Describe how you have been able to use study or CPD you have undertaken in the last two years to deliver a better outcome for clients. (10 points)
• Referring to the client SOA that you have submitted as part of your entry, outline the key points summarising why the client is better off as a result of your advice. (maximum 2 5 points awarded to this in combination with a review of your SOA)

Required supporting documents

• Please provide one comprehensive Statement of Advice (SOA) for a new client within the past year. Please delete/change client names and details to protect client anonymity. (maximum 25 points awarded to this in combination with Question 8)
• Please provide 2 client testimonials. (5 points)
• Please provide your Financial Services Guide (FSG).

Finalist’s additional information required

• Finalists will be asked to submit a review and file notes on a client case. (Please delete/change client names and details to protect client anonymity). This must be submitted within 48 hours of request.

Benefits of winning:

• $5000 towards professional development or a professional event, to be redeemed through the FPA by 31 December 2018
• Complimentary registration to the 2018 FPA Professionals Congress, excludes flights and accommodation
• Media opportunities
• Customised email signature.

This category recognises Financial Planner AFP® members who have delivered best practice advice that has led to superior client outcomes. Awards in this category are intended to encourage and recognise the achievements of AFP professionals who reflect a commitment to excellence by demonstrating higher standards and a commitment to professional development, including a clear path to achieving CFP certification.

Entry requirements:

• You are an AFP® practitioner of the FPA
• You provide face-to-face advice on a daily basis to clients
• You have a clear compliance record

What the judges are looking for:

• Lives the “client first” principle
• Overall impact to the community
• Personal investment in professionalism for the longer term
• Role model and leader within the profession and adheres to professional standards and ethics
• Has made a positive contribution to the Profession

How to enter:

• All entries will be conducted online through the FPA Awards 2017 online portal
• Supporting documents can be uploaded in the online portal

Written submission requirements

The Written Submission must answer the questions below. The maximum score per question is indicated below.

• Explain the types of clients you work with, including any areas of advice that you specialise in. You might like to outline your customer value proposition, if appropriate. (10 points)
• What steps do you take to ensure that your clients’ interests are always put first, e.g. ethical framework? (10 points)
• Detail the financial planning process you use with clients. (10 points)
• How do you identify suitable strategies or solutions for a client? (10 points)
• Describe your client review process and timeframes. (10 points)
• Give an example of how you have supported or mentored another member of the financial planning community. (10 points)
• Describe how you have been able to use study or CPD you have undertaken in the last two years to deliver a better outcome for clients. (10 points)
• Describe your plan towards attaining CFP certification. (5 points)
• Referring to the client SOA that you have submitted as part of your entry, outline the key points summarising why the client is better off as a result of your advice. (maximum 25 points awarded to this in combination with a review of your SOA)

Required supporting documents

• Please provide one comprehensive Statement of Advice (SOA) for a new client and/or new advice within the past year. Please delete/change client names and details to protect client anonymity. (maximum 25 points awarded to this in combination with Question
• Please provide 2 client testimonials. (5 points)
• Please provide your Financial Services Guide (FSG).

Benefits of winning:

• $5000 towards professional development or a professional event, to be redeemed through the FPA by 31 December 2018
• Complimentary registration to the 2018 FPA Professionals Congress, excludes flights and accommodation
• Media opportunities
• Customised email signature.

This category recognises a paraplanner who has demonstrated excellence in paraplanning. The Award is open to FPA paraplanner members.

Entry requirements:

• You are an FPA member
• Provides outstanding support for a financial planner or a financial planning department on a daily basis

The judges are looking for:

• Excellence in paraplanning, including examples of how the individual has made significant improvement to a client’s situation
• Passion for the Financial Planning industry
• Proven technical and research skills.

How to enter:

• All entries will be conducted online through the FPA Awards 2017 online portal
• Supporting documents can be uploaded in the online portal

Written submission requirements

Personal submission on ‘How I have demonstrated excellence in paraplanning and helped improve a client’s situation.

• Explain the types of advice you provide, including any areas of advice that you specialise in
• What steps do you take to ensure the clients’ interests are always put first, when preparing advice. e.g. ethical framework?
• Describe how your financial planning process goes above and beyond what is required by law and the FPA and how does this deliver a better outcome for your client. (20 points)
• How do you identify suitable strategies or solutions for a client? Eg checklists (10 points)
• Give an example of how you have supported or mentored another member of your team or the financial planning community. (20 points)
• Describe how you have been able to use study or CPD you have undertaken in the last two years to deliver a better outcome for clients. (15 points)
• Referring to the client SOA that you have submitted as part of your entry, outline the key points summarising why the client is better off as a result of your advice. (maximum 25 points awarded to this in combination with a review of your SOA)

Required supporting documents

• Please provide one comprehensive Statement of Advice (SOA) for a new client within the past year. Please delete/change client names and details to protect client anonymity.
• Please provide a testimonial from the Financial Planner you worked with for the SOA you have submitted, explaining how you showed excellence in Paraplanning. (10 points)

Benefits of winning:

• Complimentary registration to the 2018 FPA Professionals Congress, excludes flights and accommodation
• Complimentary 1st semester entry into the CFP® Certification Program
• Media opportunities
• Customised email signature.

The University Student of the Year Award recognises students who are excelling in the finance field, show a dedication to the financial planning industry and the FPA. Students who have demonstrated exceptional performance will be put forward by their respective accredited educational institution (not only restricted to FPEC accredited providers).

Entry requirements:

• FPA Student member
• Nominated by their respective educational institution (a maximum of 5 nominations can be nominated by each institution).

What the judges are looking for:

• Demonstration of how you have gone over and above to achieve your results
• Passion for the financial planning industry and the FPA
• Communication and leadership skills.

How to enter:

• Applicant to be nominated by academic from their respective educational institution
• Nominator must advise Andrew Cooper of the FPA of the nomination
• Nominee will receive an email with a link to the FPA Awards 2017 online portal to complete their application
• Supporting documents can be uploaded in the online portal

Written submission requirements

The written submission must answer the below questions. The maximum score per question is indicated

• Demonstrate how you have gone above and beyond to achieve your results (30 points)
• How you have engaged with the financial planning profession, including:
  • Relevant work experience in a financial planning environment (30 points)
  • Participating in FPA events (15 points)
• Your level of engagement at University, including:
  • Participating in student society events – preferably finance/financial planning related (20 points)
  • Planning student society events – preferably finance/financial planning related (5 points)
• Any other information you believe relevant to your application, including any supporting documents if applicable.

Benefits of winning:

• Complimentary registration to the 2017 FPA Professionals Congress, including domestic flights and accommodation
• Complimentary FPA Allied Professional Membership
• Complimentary 1st semester entry into the CFP® Certification Program
• Media opportunities
• Customised email signature.

This category recognises the leading practice within the FPA Professional Practice Program that demonstrates best practice across a range of assessed criteria.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

• The practice is a current FPA Professional Practice and was subscribed to the program for the full prior financial year
• The practice provides face-to-face advice on a daily basis to clients
• The practice has a clear compliance record

WHAT THE JUDGES ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Lives the ‘client first’ principle
• Upholds the highest professional and ethical standards as outlined in the FPA Professional Code of Practice
• Is unconflicted in the provision of financial advice that is always in the best interests of its existing and prospective clients
• Delivers its services efficiently and professionally
• Has made a positive contribution to the Profession

HOW TO ENTER:

• All entries will be conducted online through the FPA Awards 2017 online portal
• Supporting documents can be uploaded in the online portal
• Shortlisted entrants will be required to respond to an additional set of questions and may be asked to supply further supporting documentation
• 3 finalists will be selected and may be interviewed to assist in judging the award winner

WRITTEN SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The written submission must answer the questions below. The maximum score per question is indicated below.

• Service offering: How would you best describe your range of clients and what range of services do you make available to them?
• Client engagement: Please describe the elements that best describe your levels of client engagement (including reviews, events, communication etc.)
• Complaints: Has your practice received any formal complaints or made a claim against its Professional Indemnity Policy in the past 12 months?
• Client fees: How are you remunerated for the advice services you provide to your clients?
• Business Plan: Do you have a documented business plan in place?
• FPA Professional Code of Practice: How does your practice demonstrate its alignment to the values and guidelines as set out in the FPA Professional Code of Practice?

REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

• Financial Services Guide
• Marketing examples, Practice / planner profiles
• Client Services Guide (service offer)

Shortlist additional information requireD

• Shortlisted entrants will be required to respond to an additional set of questions and may be asked to supply further supporting documentation

BENEFITS OF WINNING:

• $5000 towards professional development or a professional event, to be redeemed through the FPA by 31 December 2018
• Complimentary registration to the 2018 FPA Professionals Congress, excludes flights and accommodation
• Complimentary 2018/19 FPA Professional Practice renewal
• Media opportunities
• Customised email signature.

This category recognises CFP® professionals and Financial Planner AFP® members who have supported their local community through the pro bono and volunteer work. Awards in this category will be presented to an individual that has, in a voluntary, pro bono or public service capacity, made an outstanding contribution to improving the circumstances of those in the community who are socially excluded or financially disadvantaged.  In addition, the recipient of the award will have made a positive contribution to the financial planning profession.

Entry requirements:

• You are a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional or Financial Planner AFP® practitioner.

What the judges are looking for:

• Contribution to a charity, community group or not for profit organisation or contribution to disadvantaged, or
• Contribution to needy individuals in areas such as financial life skills, personal financial advice and mentoring
• Social impact of the work
• Overall commitment to the concept for the longer term.

How to enter:

• All entries will be conducted online through the FPA Awards 2017 online portal
• Supporting documents can be uploaded in the online portal.

Written submission requirements

The Written Submission must answer the questions below. The maximum score per question is indicated below.

• Provide a brief case study of an example of community service you have given on a pro bono basis. (40 points)
• Address the specific ways in which support and assistance was provided. (25 points)
• Highlight the direct impact and benefit (both tangible and intangible) to the recipient/s. (30 points)

Required supporting documents

• Please provide a client/recipient testimonial. (5 points)

Benefits of winning:

• $5000 towards professional development or a professional event, to be redeemed through the FPA by 31 December 2018
• Complimentary registration to the 2018 FPA Professionals Congress, excluding flights and accommodation
• Media opportunities
• Customised email signature.

This category recognised the highest achieving student in the CFP® Certification Program.