On behalf of the FASEA board, Chair Catherine Walter welcomed the reappointment of Mark and Simon and acknowledged the integral role they have played in the formation and development of FASEA. The board looks forward to continuing to draw on their expertise in delivering FASEA’s important legislative remit.

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Ms Taylor, Associate Professor at Western Sydney University and previously Deputy Chair of FPEC, will replace Dr Mark Brimble, who stepped down from chairing FPEC on 14 February following the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority’s (FASEA) announcement to adopt FPEC’s framework and course approval list.

Commenting on Ms Taylor’s appointment, Neil Kendall CFP® , FPA Chairman, said: “The FPA Board is delighted that Sharon has been appointed as the new Chair of FPEC. Sharon has been the FPEC Deputy Chair for six years and we are confident that she will be committed to the development of the financial planning profession.

“She has been a leading academic in financial planning education since 1995 and her track record in both teaching and research is outstanding. Her deep understanding of the role that quality education, research and experience plays in supporting the profession makes her ideal for the position.

“In this volunteer role, Sharon’s expertise in financial planning, education and research will inform and guide FPEC as it navigates the way forward for the profession. The consultation period on FASEA’s proposed guidance on qualification pathways for existing advisers is now underway, and Sharon’s input will be key to a successful outcome,” said Mr Kendall.

At Western Sydney University, Ms Taylor has been instrumental in developing both undergraduate and post graduate programs to meet industry requirements including RG146 and recently the current FPEC requirements.

She has chaired several committees and boards at university level, and has participated as Chair of the FPEC curriculum working committee and the research grants committee.

Ms Taylor holds a Masters and a Bachelor Degree of Commerce from UNSW Australia, a certificate IV in Workplace Assessment and Training, and a Diploma in Company Directorship.

FPEC was established by the FPA in 2011 as an independent body, chartered with raising the standard of financial planning, education, and promoting financial planning as a distinct learning area and a career of choice.

More information on FPEC.

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Mark Rantall

Griffith Business School has teamed up with the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) to develop and publish the country’s first academic journal dedicated to financial planning.

The new publication, titled The Financial Planning Research Journal, was announced in Sydney on Tuesday 23 June.

“This is an important step for the financial planning industry and once more demonstrates Griffith University’s strong links and effective influence in this sector,” Associate Professor Mark Brimble, Discipline Head of Finance and Financial Planning, said.

“The journal is a key initiative at a crucial time for the industry, and will provide a focal point for research around financial planning that can be used to inform debate and policy, and ultimately raise standards across the industry.”

“This journal is part of our overall strategy to partner with the academic community to promote financial planning as an academic discipline,” said Mark Rantall, CEO of the FPA.

“It complements the academic research grants we award each year, and our sponsorship of the Personal Finance and Investment Symposium. It is a direct response to what both academics and practitioners have recommended through the FPA Financial Planning Education Council.”

Griffith University will host the publication on behalf of the FPA, with the new journal to be published online twice a year.

Each publication, in September and March, will incorporate six peer-reviewed academic articles covering the full spectrum of the financial planning industry with Griffith providing the editorial services.

A special edition of The Financial Planning Research Journal is planned to coincide with the annual Personal Finance and Investment Symposium hosted by Griffith’s Centre for Personal Finance and Superannuation later in the year.

“Griffith is the leading university in Australia in the financial planning space,” Associate Professor Brimble said. “We have worked and will continue to work closely with the profession. This connection cannot be underestimated.

“Our involvement here reiterates our desire to ensure that academic research is brought to bear on the industry to positive and relevant effect.”

FPA members will hear more about the journal in due course.

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Amelia Constantinidis

AMP’s financial planning academy Horizons, will launch an online Masters program with Griffith University which will allow candidates to gain a Master of Financial Planning through a flexible program that combines rigorous academic training and practical experience.

The innovative new education program has been jointly developed by Horizons and Griffith University, and will offer candidates a flexible pathway to gain a university qualification and employment opportunities across AMP’s licensee groups.

AMP Horizons Director Amelia Constantinidis said the program further underpinned AMP’s commitment to the highest standards of professionalism.

“AMP is committed to delivering high quality financial advice that makes a real difference in people’s lives.

“Through this program candidates will not only achieve a qualification with one of Australia’s leading academic institutions in Griffith University, they will gain practical financial planning experience through Horizons, as well as access to employment opportunities within the AMP network on completion.

“With a flexible combination of online and face to face learning we think this will really appeal to people looking to further their career as a financial adviser and aspire to the highest professional standards,” Ms Constantinidis said.

Griffith University Discipline Head of Finance and Financial Planning, Associate Professor Mark Brimble said the program will build on the theoretical and practical base of the existing AMP Horizons program, while for individuals aspiring to become advisers under the AMP banner, the new Masters degree will offer a learning process embedded within industry frameworks.

“We are delighted to partner with AMP which allows the provision of a financial planning program that strengthens educational opportunities within industry, but is also a great opportunity for Griffith University to engage with such a reputable nation-wide company like AMP.

“The Griffith University AMP Horizons program is the perfect fit as we are both leaders in our respective fields.

“There exists two major trends in education; developing the capabilities of students to study online, plus the alignment of study programs with the industry to provide a holistic practical and theoretical framework.”

The initiative strengthens AMP’s commitment announced last month to implement a series of measures to significantly lift the bar on adviser professionalism.

The measures include a requirement that all existing and new advisers must obtain a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP), a Fellow Chartered Financial Practitioner (FChFP), or Master of Financial Planning (MFP) qualification.

New advisers must complete this qualification within five years of joining an AMP licensee while existing advisers have up to 31 December 2019.

The Masters program with Griffith University will provide an alternative pathway for advisers across AMP’s network to achieve AMP’s new education standards^[1].

The Griffith program enhances AMP Horizons’ current Career Changer Programs, which involves a 12-month structured training pathway to becoming a qualified financial adviser, as candidates can now attain a university qualification.

Horizons entry standards are already among the highest in the industry with a 10 week intensive academy course followed by a nine month supervised placement in the Horizons  practice.

AMP Horizons also has a partnership with the University of New South Wales (UNSW),  which provides eligible graduates of the Horizons Professional Year Program the opportunity to gain academic credit towards a Graduate Diploma or Masters qualification in financial planning at the UNSW’s Australian School of Business.

The Griffith and UNSW relationships are in addition to the AMP University Challenge, which aims to increase awareness of financial planning as a career choice for university graduates.  Now in its fourth year, the AMP University Challenge has seen a significant increase in student applications and universities embed the Challenge into their curriculum.

The first intake for the Griffith University course will commence in November 2014

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[1] Minimum 1.5 years full-time (for candidates with existing RG146).

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FPA launches financial planning research grants for university academics.

The Financial Planning Education Council (FPEC) together with the Financial Planning Association (FPA) yesterday launched its inaugural round of financial planning research grants available to university academics, establishing the framework for an annual round of research grants in a partnership between the financial planning profession and academia.

The FPEC comprises academics and financial planning practitioners and is sponsored by the FPA. Together they have launched the grants to support higher education providers currently offering approved degrees that satisfy requirements for admittance to the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^®certification program. Currently 15 higher education providers have approved degree qualifications and others are in the process of accreditation.

The launch of the research grants was at the 2^nd Personal Finance and Investments Symposium held at Griffith University in conjunction with the biannual meeting of the Financial Planning Academics Forum.

Launching the Research Grants, Mark Rantall CFP^®, CEO of the Financial Planning Association said: “The FPA is proud to take a further step in ensuring a strong future for the financial planning profession. Our consultation with senior academics from across Australia has made it quite clear that the existence of academic research is essential to underpin quality university education in this discipline. In turn, financial support from the profession is the missing piece in the equation. Consequently, we have initiated the seed funding for this inaugural round of research grants and invite our Professional Partners to join us in this important initiative.

“An approved degree is a requirement for all new practitioner members of the profession and support for academics in this discipline is recognised as an essential part. We believe the funding will just be the start of a strong investment in universities by the profession. In working together to support the future CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® of Australia we can ensure that more Australians than ever have access to quality financial advice.”

Associate Professor Mark Brimble, Co-Chair of the Financial Planning Academics Forum (FPAF), and Chair of the FPEC, said: “The grants scheme signals a further deepening of the relationship between the financial planning industry and the higher education sector as we work together to build the financial planning profession of the future. On behalf of my fellow Academic and Professional colleagues on the FPEC, I applaud the launch of these research grants as a critical part of the education landscape as we continue to build this community towards a strong professional future. There are significant benefits for all parties to engage in a program of rigorous, independent and timely research to inform practice and policy development. I commend our professional community for the support they have pledged to these grants and encourage my fellow academics to demonstrate its importance by applying for grants.”

Following a two stage application process, the first round of the grants will be awarded in March 2014. Initial Expressions of Interest will be accepted from November with a deadline of 8^th December 2013. The size of individual grants will be evaluated based on project needs and funding available. Initially, projects are eligible to receive up to $5,000.

The Financial Planning Education Council (FPEC) was established as an independent body chartered with the responsibility of raising the standard of financial planning education and promoting financial planning as a distinct learning area and a career of choice for new students and career changers.

The FPEC has representation of financial planning academics and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® practitioners. It is sponsored by the Financial Planning Association of Australia and has representation from the Financial Planning Academics Forum (FPAF).

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