The Award, sponsored by Asteron Life, recognises outstanding advisers committed to professionalism and lifelong learning. Head of Campus AFA, Nick Hakes said, “The Award captures the essential ingredients of professionalism – education + attitude + behaviour + standards.”

The Award also demonstrates the AFA’s ongoing commitment to education.

“We want to showcase adviser excellence in the conversations that take place between them and their clients every day,” Mr Hakes said. “At the very heart of this relationship is the application of education and the empowerment that financial education brings to the lives of consumers.”
 
Mr Hakes said the AFA has always had a fundamental belief in lifelong learning.

“Our education philosophy is simple: The aim is not just about acquiring technical skills and knowledge, it is about applying that knowledge and those skills. It is critical to get the balance right between formal and practical education.”
 
The Award recognises the commitment and excellence of advisers in three key areas:

• Practice
• The industry
• Their local community

“The talent we have been able to showcase over the years via the Award has been outstanding,” Mr Hakes said. “Advisers are continually investing in themselves, their staff and their business and the resulting increase in education and professional standards is making a significant difference in encouraging more Australians to seek financial advice. We thank Asteron Life for the ongoing support which makes it possible for us to keep rewarding great talent.”
 
Head of Asteron Life, Jordan Hawke, said Asteron Life is honoured to sponsor the 2013 AFA Excellence in Education Award for the sixth year running, because it believes in supporting the professionalism and ongoing development of advisers.

“Asteron Life is committed to the AFA’s Excellence in Education Award,” Mr Hawke said. “The Award allows us to identify advisers who are committed to self-development and their community and those who also focus on establishing quality businesses that give exceptional advice and experience to consumers.

“Adviser’s commitment to their ongoing development and the quality of advice they provide to their clients is key to ensuring the transition of our advice industry into a sustainable long term advice profession.”

Nominations for the Award close on 24 May 2013 and winners will be announced at the AFA Conference on the Gold Coast in October.

Nominations open – 22 April 2013
Nominations close – 24 May 2013
First Round Interviews – June 2013
State winners announced at the AFA National Forums – 16-25 July 2013
A panel interview with state winners – Early September

The AFA Excellence in Education Award winner will be announced at the AFA Conference 13-15 October 2013.

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The AFA Award Program reflects the Association’s belief that recognising excellence in the practice of financial advice is integral to building a strong profession, according to AFA CEO Richard Klipin.

“The Award program demonstrates the AFA’s commitment to the growth of professionalism by not just recognising excellence in advice, but acknowledging and encouraging the next generation of advisers. Also vital to the profession’s future is increasing diversity and continually raising the bar on education standards,” said Mr Klipin.

The Award Program includes:

• AFA Adviser of the Year
• AFA Rising Star of the Year
• AFA Excellence in Education
• AFA Female Excellence in Advice

AFA Adviser of the Year – proudly sponsored by Zurich
Now in its 10th year, this award has been sponsored by Zurich since its inception in 2003.  To date a record 51 nominations have been received for the 2012 award.

The purpose of the Adviser of the Year Award is to pay tribute to individuals who not only run highly successful financial advisory businesses but who also go above and beyond in contributing to the financial services industry and wider community.

To celebrate the award’s 10th anniversary, cocktail events were held around Australia. Past winners received commemorative gifts and this year’s nominees received commemorative trophies.

AFA Rising Star Award – proudly sponsored by OnePath
The AFA Rising Star Award recognises up-and-coming advisers who provide quality advice, excellence in practice management, demonstrate a commitment to education and contribute to the industry and general community.

The Award reflects the AFA’s belief that recognising excellent practice is integral to nurturing a strong, professional industry.

AFA Excellence in Education Award – proudly sponsored by Asteron Life
Previously known as the AFA Student of the Year, this award is intended to support and reward those who undertake the challenge of acquiring knowledge. It recognises commitment and excellence in advice through participation in further education. For those just starting out in the industry – and for those who have been around since it began – because ongoing education is key to continually raising the bar of financial advice.

AFA Female Excellence in Advice Award (NEW) – proudly sponsored by TAL
Established in 2011, the Female Excellence in Advice Award is the latest Award to join the award program.

A joint initiative of the AFA and TAL, the Award was established to identify and reward female financial advisers showing outstanding professional excellence and leadership within the profession. It seeks to enable a better gender balance in the sector by encouraging more women to enter into and take leadership roles. Importantly, the Award also aims to generate awareness about the challenges facing many women in securing their financial future.

“AFA Award winners and finalists lead the way and create a more trusted, robust and diverse profession to help Australians secure their financial future. Promoting outstanding achievers in advice will continue to raise the bar for the profession,” said Mr Klipin.

Winners will be announced at the AFA National Conference on the Gold Coast in October.

For more information and nomination details, visit the AFA website at www.afa.asn.au

31 July 2012

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The Award is dedicated to supporting and rewarding independent financial advisers who undertake the challenge of acquiring knowledge – and applying this knowledge to their business, their clients, their industry and their community.

AFA National Vice President and Education Chair, Adam Smith, said the Award recognises the outstanding performance and achievements of financial advice students.  “It allows us to shine the light across Australia to identify and recognise some of our country’s best and brightest advisers.”

Mr Smith said the AFA believes ongoing education enables AFA members to deliver better advice outcomes to Australian consumers.

“Commitment to education and lifelong learning are a fundamental part of the AFA’s ethos, so I am very pleased that this year’s national winner of the Excellence in Education Award is Finn Kelly.”

In his former career, Finn spent seven years as an Army Officer in the Australian Defence Force. His military training and experiences were fundamental in helping him develop a broad range of skills. His background taught him the essence of seizing key opportunities, while managing risk to optimise performance and maximise success.

Finn is committed to ongoing education and professional development. His formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Science majoring in Maths and Physics, a Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning), a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary), a Diploma of Government, and a Diploma of Management. He is currently undertaking the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute Program. He is also a strong believer that education is the key to success in any aspect of life.

“We continue to see outstanding talent amongst our award candidates and Finn Kelly is testament to this,” Mr Smith said. “Finn is committed to his profession and his clients and is making a major contribution to enhancing the reputation of the profession as a whole.”

Asteron Executive General Manager Jordan Hawke said Asteron is extremely proud to sponsor the Excellence in Education Award for the fourth year running.

“At Asteron, we have a passion for our industry and ensuring its future success. We believe that the provision of quality advice can be better achieved by continuing to lift the education standard of advice professionals in Australia,” Mr Hawke said.

“Each year, the standard of the nominees makes it extremely difficult to choose just one winner, and this year was no exception, with the closest results we have ever had.

“Finn Kelly stood out throughout the judging process.  The real point of difference was his remarkable ability to translate his past and continuing education into real life application, ensuring that his business processes run to military precision.

“His commitment to also making a difference in the community will make him an outstanding ambassador for education.”

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