News

The 2017 Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) National Roadshow has completed its 33-leg journey around Australia, with six final events taking place last week. Financial planning professionals came together to listen to timely updates on policy and legislation from the FPA, as well as insights on identifying investment opportunities in global markets from Roadshow partner, Platinum Asset Management. Dante De Gori CFP®, FPA CEO, said “After a period of uncertainty last year, the sentiment at this year’s roadshow was very much about implementation and taking action. The financial planning profession is in our own hands, and as a community,

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) is calling for FPA members to make submissions for the 2017 FPA Awards, a program that shines a light on the talent and passion within the financial planning profession. Recognising outstanding planners, paraplanners, students and practices, the awards celebrate individuals and businesses who demonstrate a commitment to delivering excellent outcomes for clients, and those who have made a notable contribution to their local community. Dante De Gori CFP®, FPA CEO, said the 2017 FPA Awards program is an important initiative that recognises those who go above and beyond to provide exceptional service and

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has today announced Bronnie Abraham of Brisbane-based advice firm Dolfinwise as the latest winner of the Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award. Ms Abraham, who has been advising for over seven years, received the accolade for being the highest performing student in the final unit of the CFP® Certification Program. Named after the late “First lady of Financial Planning,” the award recognises ongoing commitment to the program and dedication to providing quality financial advice. Commenting on her achievement, Ms Abraham said: “This award means a lot to me. Not only is it an honour to

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has today announced that it will launch a pilot Pro Bono Financial Planning Referral Service with Cancer Council. The nationally structured referral program will help families affected by cancer who are unable to afford the cost of financial advice, by connecting them with financial planners who can provide their services on a pro bono basis. By facilitating the provision of these services, the program aims to contribute to the wellbeing of people affected by cancer by reducing stress and financial burden. Commenting on the launch of the program, Dante De Gori CFP®, FPA

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has announced registrations are now open for the 2017 FPA Professionals Congress, to be held in Hobart from 22-24 November. Amid the spectacular scenery of Tasmania, this year’s Congress promises to be both inspiring and challenging for all involved, providing the opportunity for FPA members and the wider financial planning community to develop both personally and professionally. FPA CEO Dante De Gori, CFP®, said the 2017 Congress will build on the success of last year’s event which received overwhelmingly positive feedback. “2016 saw over 1,000 delegates attending Congress in Perth, with a sold

Financial planners continue to gather for the 2017 Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) National Roadshow, taking place at 33 locations around the country. This week, the Roadshow visits six locations including Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne – attracting almost 700 registrations for Melbourne alone. Speaking about the Roadshow so far, Dante De Gori CFP®, FPA CEO, said: “The new education standards continue to be a lively point of discussion with members, and we are answering the questions with what we know so far about the new framework that will commence on July 1. “Developed by the Financial Adviser Standards and

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) welcomed measures to encourage older property owners to downsize in the Federal Budget, but cited concerns with increased complexity to the superannuation system. FPA CEO Dante De Gori CFP® said: “A person aged 65 or over will be able to make a non-concessional contribution to superannuation of up to $300,000 from the proceeds of selling their home from 1 July 2018. “The aim of this incentive is to encourage the baby boomer generation to sell, freeing up larger houses for younger families upgrading into more suitable homes. We support this initiative, however these

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has announced the appointment of Graham McDonald as Chair of its Conduct Review Commission (CRC), and Dale Boucher as Deputy CRC Chair. The CRC is an independently chaired tribunal that hears and determines disciplinary complaints, holding FPA members accountable to high standards of ethics and professionalism. These appointments are made on the recommendation of an independent selection committee chaired by the Honorable Bernie Ripoll, former Federal Member for Oxley. Mr. McDonald brings a wealth of experience from a long and successful career as a solicitor and barrister, and a deep understanding of dispute

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has launched a new national advertising campaign designed to promote the benefits of financial advice by a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP) professional. Running from 24 April until June, the 2017 campaign aims to dispel the myth that financial planning is just for the wealthy, by demonstrating the ways in which a CFP® professional can improve the lives of everyday Australians. The campaign will show how a CFP® professional can help people achieve key financial and lifestyle goals, such as planning for their children’s future, paying off their home, travelling the world and starting

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) welcomes the Government’s announcement of a new body, the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA), that will be responsible for governing the conduct of professionals in the financial advice sector. Commencing on July 1, FASEA will set mandatory educational and training requirements, develop and set a national industry exam and create a code of ethics that all advisers will be required to adhere to. Mrs Catherine Walter AM has been appointed Chairman of FASEA for a four-year period, to maintain board cohesion and unite Directors with different experiences and backgrounds to achieve