Ms Hornery was announced winner of the ‘Female Excellence in Advice Award’ by the Association of Financial Advisers at their national conference on the Gold Coast last week.

Established in 2011, the award recognises women in the financial planning industry who make a significant contribution to their profession, community and clients.

Ms Hornery, who runs Financial Management Solutions in Tuggerah – an integrated advisory group that specialises in financial planning, accounting and self-managed super funds – said it was a great honour to win this prestigious industry award.

“Financial planners make a positive difference in peoples’ lives daily and there’s a great reward in helping others achieve their goals.

“With 60 per cent of my staff women, one of the things I’m most passionate about is helping women works towards achieving financial freedom. Women’s superannuation balances still lag way behind men’s largely due to the time they spend out of the workforce raising a family and we need to plan earlier for this,” Ms Hornery said.

Ms Hornery started her career working in an accounting practice before moving into financial advice in 2001. She started her own practice, Financial Management Solutions, in 2003.

“I could see that financial planners were uniquely positioned to make changes for the better in their client’s lives and that was something I wanted to part of.”

Community work is another big priority for the Central Coast planner, who is also a mother of four and nanna to nine, soon to be 10. In fact, Financial Management Solutions won the 2009 Telstra Business Award NSW for Social Responsibility.

Financial Management Solutions has been involved in AMP’s Cancer Council pro bono program since 2010, helping cancer patients and their families with the finances during this difficult time. The firm is also a regular fundraiser for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.

“Community and pro bono work is a really important part of our business model – every staff member assists. As a family business – with seven family members working in the business – we know the importance of family.

“This year, we’ve worked with eight local cancer patients and their families to provide financial advice. We’ve also provided financial advice to some local families with a member affected by cerebral palsy and raised money for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, through Steptember – a month of walking activities – and Might and Power Race Day.”

Ms Hornery is also keen to encourage more women to join the financial planning profession and mentor them as they progress into advice roles.

“This is a great profession for women because it there is lots of opportunity to help those in their local community get on the right track financially, while also balancing family responsibility through flexible work hours. I even help my kids with their finances when they let me!”

The Female Excellence in Advice Award program is a joint initiative of the Association of Financial Advisers and TAL.

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