The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has announced the shortlist for all six categories of the 2016 FPA Awards. The awards celebrate individuals and businesses who demonstrate commitment to delivering excellent outcomes for clients, and those who have made a notable contribution to their local community. The awards also recognise academic excellence amongst budding financial planners around the country.
FPA CEO Dante De Gori CFP® said the finalists for this year’s awards had been chosen from an outstanding pool of talent.
“The calibre of applications for this year’s awards impressed everyone on the judging panel, with some judges stating that this was the highest standard we have ever seen. I personally had the privilege of judging the paraplanner category and university student category and it will be an honour to announce our winners at Congress later this month,” said Mr De Gori.
The FPA also announced the shortlist for the first ever FPA Professional Practice of the Year, which recognises financial planning excellence at a business level.
Mr De Gori said, “This year we are working with Business Health to consider data gained through our program’s complimentary ‘HealthCheck’ to support the judging of the FPA Professional Practice of the Year. This judging process will also benefit practice owners by providing invaluable information on the health of their business. Again, the calibre has been outstanding.”
Commenting on the shortlist for the Future2 Community Service Award, Mr De Gori highlighted the vital work that members carry out within their local communities.
“It is heartwarming to see the ongoing contribution members make to not-for-profits, alongside the good work they do daily for clients. As always, the applications reinforced the great work many members do in giving back to those less fortunate, through the Future2 Foundation, as well as many other organisations across the country,” said Mr De Gori.
Depending on the category, award winners will receive access to consumer media opportunities, financial contribution to professional development and complimentary registration to the FPA Professionals Congress. The FPA Professional Practice of the Year will also benefit from a $10,000 business consultancy package donated by Business Health.
The winners will be announced at the FPA Professionals Congress in Perth on 23 and 24 November, along with the latest winner of the bi-annual Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award.
More information about the FPA Professionals Congress.
The shortlist for each award is as follows:
FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award
William Johns CFP® – Health & Finance Integrated
Tony Sandercock CFP® – wetalkmoney
David Sharpe CFP® – Globe Financial Planning
FPA Financial Planner AFP® of the Year Award
Cody Harmon AFP® – Meridian Wealth Management
Tim McLaughlan AFP® – Elston Private Wealth
Paul Turner AFP® – Wealthwise
FPA Paraplanner of the Year Award
Cynthia Sercombe – Tupicoffs
Shayne Sommer CFP® – Shadforth Financial Group
Future2 Community Service Award
Kathy Havers CFP® – Catalyst Financial Group
William Johns CFP® – Health & Finance Integrated
FPA Professional Practice of the Year Award
Capital Partners – West Perth (WA)
Enlightened Financial Solutions – Mackay (QLD)
ipac West Australia – Subiaco (WA)
FPA University Student of the Year Award
Hilary Acheson – University of New England
Bradley Aleckson – Griffith University
James Van Zyl-Cunningham – Griffith University
