Now in its tenth year, the FPA Awards recognise individuals and businesses across Australia who deliver the highest standard of professional and trusted advice to consumers. The awards also acknowledge outstanding university students who represent the future of the financial planning profession.

The winner of the FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award is Andy Reynolds CFP® of EFS Advice. The award acknowledges Andy’s commitment to the profession, and the care and diligence he shows clients who are going through life altering events.

FPA CEO Sarah Abood said: “Andy’s approach to supporting his clients’ understanding of complex financial issues, especially those clients with cognitive issues, is truly moving.

“Andy really does go above and beyond for his clients and his use of tools such as diagrams and videos to help support clients’ understanding is a practical demonstration of that.

“Andy’s depth of knowledge in his specialty field, and his understanding of both the tangible and intangible impacts of his advice, impressed the judges.

“Further, his advocacy at a grassroots level, including with super funds and lawyers to improve their processes, is to the benefit of his clients and the financial planning profession more broadly,” said Ms Abood.

The winner of the FPA Professional Practice of the Year Award is Alman Partners based in Mackay, QLD. The judges selected Alman Partners based on its clear succession plan, which involved supporting advisers to becoming partners in the practice, and its continued commitment to diversity. The judging panel was also impressed by the in-depth annual audit the practice undertakes to be accredited with the Global Fiduciary Accreditation (currently held by just seven Australian firms).

Lili Hong AFP® from Future Gen Solutions is the winner of the FPA Financial Planner AFP® of the Year Award. The judges commended Lili on her dedication to building a reputable career as a financial planner. As an advocate for the profession and its future, Lili demonstrated dedication to her clients, and assisted those in need while looking for unconventional solutions to help migrants understand Australia’s complex financial services system.

The FPA University Student of the Year Award was awarded to Matthew Kanizay of Deakin University. Matthew was selected by the judges based on his strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. He is a well-rounded student who has participated in a number of extra-curricular activities and demonstrated an ability to connect and develop a skillset as a future financial planner.

The Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award recognises the highest performing student in the final unit of the CFP® Certification Program. Brigitta Hembrow Gersey CFP® from Elston Private Wealth Pty Ltd, is the 2022 Semester One winner of the honorary award named after the late “first lady of financial planning”, Gwen Fletcher.

Ms Abood said: “The CFP® Certification Program is a rigorous program of study, and to win this award is a real achievement.

“Congratulations to Brigitta for her outstanding performance and commitment.

“These awards shine a light on those making a difference to the financial planning profession, the financial services industry and to all Australians.

“On behalf of everyone at the FPA, congratulations to the deserving winners of these awards,” said Ms Abood.

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Now in its 10th year, the FPA Awards recognise individuals and businesses across Australia who deliver the highest standard of professional and trusted advice to Australian consumers. The awards also highlight the outstanding university students who are the future of the financial planning industry.

The finalists in the 2022 FPA Awards for each professional category are:

FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award – finalists:
Paul Benson CFP® – Guidance Financial Services (VIC)
Naomi Mee-Martino CFP® – Bastion Financial Group (WA)
Andrew Reynolds CFP® – EFS Advice (NSW)

FPA Financial Planner AFP® of the Year Award – finalists:
Lili Hong AFP® –  Future Gen Solutions (QLD)
Bill Savellis AFP® – Olive Grove Financial Advice (NSW)

FPA Professional Practice of the Year Award – finalists:
Alman Partners (QLD)
Boutique Advisers (WA)
VISIS Private Wealth (QLD)

FPA University Student of the Year Award – finalists:
Matthew Kanizay – Deakin University
Joel Perryman – University of South Australia
Georgia Camerlengo – University of South Australia

Sarah Abood, CEO says these awards help to bring attention to the positive and life-changing impact that financial planners can have.

“The FPA Awards celebrate the commitment, talent and passion of outstanding financial planners and practices, and recognise the role they play in bettering the lives of Australians.

“The recently released Value of Advice research showed that 95 per cent of advised Australians identified additional benefits received beyond their finances, including things like mental health, family life and social life.

“In times of increasing external financial pressures, with inflation and interest rates rising globally, having financial confidence is a necessity, and we know this can be achieved with the support of a financial planner.

“A big congratulations to all the finalists. The quality of the applications received has been outstanding.  All the finalists have consistently demonstrated great commitment and passion to their clients, community and the profession, and significantly impacted the lives of their clients and communities for the better,” says Abood.

The winners of the 2022 FPA Awards will be announced LIVE at the FPA Professionals Congress event on 23 – 24 November in Sydney.

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Now in its ninth year, the FPA Awards recognises exceptional financial planners, paraplanners, university students and FPA Professional Practices from across Australia. The Awards also celebrate the individuals and businesses who go above and beyond to deliver outstanding results for clients.

FPA CEO Dante De Gori CFP® said many Australians have used the pandemic to reconsider their finances – spending and saving habits, budgeting and planning – and have an appetite to make changes. The pandemic has been a sharp reminder for Australians to have a financial plan in place, not only as a road map to achieve their goals, but also as a contingency for unforeseen events.

“It’s great to see financial planners guiding thousands of everyday Australians through the financial stress created by the pandemic and an increased engagement between Australians and their financial planner in the last 12 months to seek reassurance for personal finances or build a financial plan,” said Mr De Gori.

“The 20 finalists have been chosen because they have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to professional standards and made a positive difference to the lives of clients and their local community.

“The judges have been very impressed by the high calibre of award entries this year and look forward to announcing the Award winners in November,” he said.

The category finalists in the FPA Community Service Award supported by Future2 will be announced later this month following the upcoming Future2 Board meeting.

The finalists for each award are as follows.

FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award

• Kathryn Creasy CFP® – Capital Partners Private Wealth Advisers (WA)
• Matthew Meehan CFP® – Lifesolver Financial (NSW)
• Naomi Mee-Martino CFP® – Bastion Financial Group (WA)
• Mark O’Flynn CFP® – Tupicoffs (QLD)

FPA Professional Practice of the Year Award

• Alman Partners (QLD)
• APT Wealth (NSW)
• Enlightened Financial Solutions (QLD)

FPA Financial Planner AFP® of the Year Award

• Leanne Bielik AFP® – 2020 Wealth Pty Ltd (VIC)
• Michelle Maguire AFP® – MLC Advise (NSW)
• Craig Phillips AFP® – Phillips Wealth Partners (ACT)

FPA Advice Innovation Award

• Josh Pennell CFP® – Prosper Advisory Financial Services (VIC)
• Daniel Thompson AFP® – Finnacle (NSW)

FPA Paraplanner of the Year Award

• Andrew Mann CFP® – Tupicoffs (QLD)
• Elora Shine – Cooper Wealth Management (NSW)

FPA University Student of the Year Award

• Nicole Gardner – Kaplan Professional (VIC)
• Martin Jack – Griffith University (QLD)
• Matthew Kanizay – Deakin University (VIC)
• Melina Pisani – Deakin University (VIC)
• Renae Poole – Griffith University (QLD)
• Aaron Skow – Kaplan Professional (NSW)

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