The FPA Awards are designed to recognise best practice financial planning, and FPA members who have gone above and beyond for their local community.
Your hard work and dedication deserve recognition and there’s no better way to get recognised, than to receive an FPA Award.
Award winners will be announced at the FPA 2018 Professionals Congress in Sydney from 21-23 November.
2018 FPA AWARD categories
FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
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.
PRIZES:
- $5000 towards professional development or a professional event, to be redeemed through the FPA by 31 December 2019
- Complimentary registration to the 2019 FPA Professionals Congress, excludes flights and accommodation
- Media opportunities
- Customised email signature.
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
- Examples of how you have made a meaningful positive difference in the lives of your clients.
ENTRY PROCESS:
- Part 1: Written submission to be submitted through the FPA Awards online portal – A judging panel will review the applications and select finalists
- Part 2: Finalists to present to a judging panel*
* An audit may also be required to take place at the finalist’s place of work as part of the finalist review process.
WRITTEN SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
- Provide details of how you have made a meaningful positive difference in the lives of three different new or ongoing clients. (max 750 words)
- Provide details of how you have contributed to the profession over and above your direct financial planning advice. (500 words)
REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
- Provide one comprehensive Statement of Advice (SOA) which supports your best work in relation to supporting Part 1. Please delete/change client names and details to protect client anonymity. Please be aware that additional SOA’s may be requested at a later stage.
FINALISTS PRESENTATION:
The presentation will be conducted the week commencing 8 October.
The judges will choose one client from the three submitted SOA’s for the finalist to present on.
FPA FINANCIAL PLANNER AFP® OF THE YEAR
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.
PRIZES:
- $5000 towards professional development or a professional event, to be redeemed through the FPA by 31 December 2019
- Complimentary registration to the 2019 FPA Professionals Congress, excludes flights and accommodation
- Media opportunities
- Customised email signature.
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.
Entry PROCESs:
- Part 1: Written submission to be submitted through the FPA Awards online portal – A judging panel will review the applications and select finalists
- Part 2: Finalists to present to a judging panel*
* An audit may also be required to take place at the finalist’s place of work as part of the finalist review process.
WRITTEN SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
The written submission must answer the questions below.
- Provide details of how you have made a meaningful positive difference in the lives of three different new or ongoing clients. (max 750 words)
- Provide details of how you have contributed to the profession over and above your direct financial planning advice. (500 words).
REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
- Provide one comprehensive Statement of Advice (SOA) which supports your best work in relation to supporting Part 1. Please delete/change client names and details to protect client anonymity. Please be aware that additional SOA’s may be requested at a later stage.
FINALISTS PRESENTATION:
The presentation will be conducted the week commencing 8 October.
The judges will choose one client from the three submitted SOA’s for the finalist to present on.
FPA PARAPLANNER OF THE YEAR
This category recognises a paraplanner who has demonstrated excellence in paraplanning. The Award is open to FPA paraplanner members and you may nominate a paraplanner you believe deserves this award.
PRIZES:
- $5000 towards professional development or a professional event, to be redeemed at the FPA by 31 December 2019, excluding flights and accommodation
- Complimentary registration to the 2019 FPA Professionals Congress, excludes flights and accommodation
- Media opportunities
- Customised email signature.
Entry requirements:
- Applicant is an FPA member
- Applicant provides outstanding support for a financial planner or a financial planning department on a daily basis
- Applicant has a clear compliance record.
The judges are looking for:
- Excellence in paraplanning, including examples of how the individual has made significant improvement to a client’s situation
- Proven technical and research skills.
Entry PROCESS:
- Part 1: Written submission to be submitted through the FPA Awards online portal – A judging panel will review applications and select finalists
- Part 2: Finalists to submit additional information to be reviewed by judging panel to determine the winner*
* An audit may also be required to take place at the finalist’s place of work as part of the finalist review process.
WRITTEN SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
The Written Submission must answer the questions below.
- Please provide details of how you work with financial planners and specifically the details of how a piece of advice helped a specific client (1000 words max)
- A testimonial from the financial planner the SOA was prepared for.
REQUIRED SUBMISSION DOCUMENTS:
- Please provide the comprehensive Statement of Advice (SOA) for the client described in your entry. Please delete/change client names and details to protect client anonymity
- A testimonial from the financial planner the SOA was prepared for.
FINALISTS PRESENTATION:
The additional information must be submitted by Friday 5 October, 5pm. The additional information will consist of:
- Copy of fact find and other data (e.g. research and paraplanning notes) to support the submitted SOA.
FPA PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE OF THE YEAR
This category recognises the top performing practice in the FPA Professional Practice Program that is supporting planners to deliver better client outcomes.
PRIZES:
- $5000 towards participation in professional development or costs associated with attending a professional event or series of events. Prize to be redeemed at the FPA by 31 December 2019
- Complimentary registration to 2019 FPA Professionals Congress for one person (excluding flights and accommodation)
- Media opportunities
- Customised email signature.
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
- Has made a positive contribution to the Profession.
ENTRY PROCESS:
- Part 1: Written submissions to be submitted through the FPA Awards online portal – A judging panel will review the applications and select finalists.
- Part 2: Finalists to present to a judging panel*
* An audit may also be required to take place at the finalist’s place of work as part of the finalist review process.
WRITTEN SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
The Written Submission must answer the questions below or submit a video through Vimeo or Youtube – 10mins
- Intro and model of practice – Business Overview (max 750 words)
- Have you received a client complaint or lodged a complaint on PI in the last 2 years? If you answered yes to a client complain, please explain how it was resolved (max 500 words)
- Address each of the criteria the judges are what they are looking for (max 250 words per criteria)
- Lives the “client first” principle
- Upholds the highest professional and ethical standards as outlined in the FPA Professional Code of Practice
- Has made a positive contribution to the Profession
- Submit a current third party compliance audit report from the last financial year
- No more supporting material at this stage.
FINALISTS PRESENTATION:
The presentation will be conducted the week commencing 8 October. The finalist will be expected to present on:
- Who you are and your model of advice?
- Discuss value of advice and how you price
- Why you are a professional practice
- 3 top industry issues and what you would do to resolve (views on the future of the profession).
FPA UNIVERSITY STUDENT OF THE YEAR
The University Student of the Year Award recognises a student enrolled in either a Bachelor or Master’s Degree, who has demonstrated outstanding achievements and commitment to their studies and shown dedication to the financial planning industry and the FPA. The Award is open to all FPA student members
Note: The 3 finalists will receive a ticket to the 2018 Congress, including flights and accommodation
Entry requirements:
- FPA Student member
- Studying a financial planning degree, or completing a financial planning unit within a finance, business or commerce degree.
Prizes:
- Complimentary registration to attend the 2019 FPA Professionals Congress, including flights and accommodation
- Complimentary FPA Allied Professional Membership 2019
- Complimentary semester entry to study the CFP® course – valued at $1550 including GST to be redeemed by December 2019
- Media opportunities
- Personalised email signature.
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.
ENTRY PROCESS:
- Part 1: Written submission to be submitted through the FPA Awards online portal – A judging panel will review applications and select finalists
- Part 2: Finalists to be interviewed by the judging panel
- Part 3: Referee checks completed by the judging panel (if required).
WRITTEN SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
The written submission must answer the below questions.
- Detail your academic achievements, relevant work experience, extra-curricular activities and/or your involvement in community activities – preferably finance/financial planning related (750 words max)
- What are your career ambitions following graduation? (400 words max)
- Why are you passionate about pursuing a career in financial planning? (400 words max)
- Any other information you believe relevant to your application, including any supporting documents if applicable e.g. copies of transcripts or award certificates
- An academic representative or professional referee that could be contacted (if required) to support your submission.
REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
- Not compulsory.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD SUPPORTED BY THE FUTURE2 FOUNDATION
This category recognises CFP® professionals and Financial Planner AFP® members who have supported their local community through 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 through providing education in financial literacy, providing financial advice and/or supporting a local not for profit in some capacity. In addition, the recipient of the award will have made a positive contribution to the reputation of the financial planning profession.
PRIZES:
- $5000 towards your charity of choice or the Future2 Foundation, to be redeemed by 31 December 2019
- Complimentary registration to the 2019 FPA Professionals Congress, excludes flights and accommodation
- Media opportunities
- Customised email signature.
Entry requirements:
- You are a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional or Financial Planner AFP® practitioner
- You have a clear compliance record.
What the judges are looking for:
- Contribution: Contribution to a charity, community group or not for profit organisation or organisation. Contribution and/or pro bono work with individuals or schools in need, in areas such as personal financial advice, financial life skills and mentoring
- Impact: How has the work brought significant impact to an individual, community, school or not for profit
- Commitment: Overall commitment to the concept for the longer term.
How to enter:
- Part 1: Written submission to be submitted through the FPA Awards online portal – A judging panel will review applications and select finalists
- Part 2: Finalists to be interviewed by the judging panel*
* An audit may also be required to take place at the finalist’s place of work as part of the finalist review process.
WRITTEn SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
The Written Submission must answer the questions below.
- Provide a brief case study of an example of community service/s you have given on a pro bono basis
- Address the specific ways in which support and assistance was provided
- Highlight the direct impact and benefit (both tangible and intangible) to the recipient/s or organisation/school.
REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
- Please provide a client/recipient/organisations testimonial relating to the case study provided.
GWEN FLETCHER MEMORIAL AWARD
This category recognised the highest achieving student in the CFP® Certification Program.
Judges
All categories will be judged by a panel of experts.
2017 FPA Award Winners
| FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR | Michael Hayward CFP® – Capital partners Private Wealth Advisers, Perth |
| FPA FINANCIAL PLANNER AFP® OF THE YEAR | Patricia Soares Garcia AFP® – WB Financial, Brisbane |
| FPA PARAPLANNER OF THE YEAR | Adriana Brink – Alman Partners, Mackay |
| FPA UNIVERSITY STUDENT OF THE YEAR | Azaria Bell, Bachelor of Commerce student – Griffith University, QLD |
| COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD SUPPORTED BY FUTURE2 FOUNDATION | Reuben Zelwer CFP® – Adapt Wealth Management, Melbourne |
| GWEN FLETCHER MEMORIAL AWARD | Michael Forer AFP® – Next Level Financial Services, Melbourne |
| FPA PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE OF THE YEAR | Capital partners Private Wealth Advisers, Perth |
ENQUIRIES?
If you have any questions or enquiries, please contact us on 1300 337 301 or by email.