Taking out the coveted FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award is Michael Carmody CFP® of Viva Wealth in Perth, WA.

The award acknowledges Michael’s passion for helping his clients through financial planning, and going above and beyond to give them the best possible outcomes.

FPA CEO Dante De Gori CFP® said, “Michael embodies the facets of an exemplary financial planner: outstanding technical knowledge and capability, as well as care and understanding as a financial coach and mentor to his clients, helping them create a vision for their future, and bringing organisation and accountability to their financial lives.

“Michael has recently proven his willingness to take on a new challenge, completing the 2018 Wheel Classic. The gruelling eight-day charity event raises funds for the FPA’s philanthropic arm, the Future2 Foundation.”

The FPA Professional Practice of the Year Award is Wotherspoon Wealth in Adelaide, SA. When the founders of Wotherspoon Wealth established their business eight years ago, they set out with the aim of building a business “that is the very best out there”. Their critical business decisions are actively focused on making the client experience the best it can be and their submission highlighted that they are constantly exploring ways to improve this approach.

Winning the FPA Financial Planner AFP® of the Year Award for 2018 is Felicity Cooper AFP® of Cooper Wealth Management in Surfers Paradise, QLD. The judges in this category commented that Felicity put herself in strong contention from the very start of the awards process because the standard of her submitted Statement of Advice was exceptional, and clearly stood out from the pack.

The FPA Paraplanner of the Year Award was given to Kearsten James CFP® of Queensland based Sterling Private Wealth. Commenting on Kearsten’s award application, the judges said that not only was her advice well written and thought out, but the depth of research done on the issues and the notes around it made it an outstanding entry.

The FPA University Student of the Year Award was given to Mary Hadgis of University of South Australia (UniSA) in recognition of her academic excellence and commitment to becoming a future leader within financial planning. Mary is motivated to become a future financial planner because of the opportunity to help people from all walks of life reach their financial goals and achieve their dreams. Mary has also been a driving force behind UniSA becoming an FPEC accredited provider of a financial planning degree.

The Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award recognises the highest performing student in the final unit of the CFP® Certification Program. John Dacker AFP® from Shadforth Financial Group in Sydney, NSW is the 2018 Semester two winner of the honorary award named after the late “first lady of financial planning”, Gwen Fletcher.

Mr De Gori said, “The rigorous CFP® Certification Assessment unit demands students be at the top of their game, so to receive the Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award is a significant achievement. John’s outstanding results reflect his commitment and dedication, and I congratulate him on his efforts.”

The winner of the Community Service Award supported by Future2 is Zacary Leeson CFP® of HPH Solutions in Perth, WA. Zacary receives this award in recognition of his dedication as a volunteer at WA based not-for-profit, Leading Youth Forward. The organisation provides mentorship and positive experiences to disadvantaged Perth teenagers to help them foster respect, positive conversations and personal growth. It’s a purely volunteer run group and for the past five years, Zacary has proudly served on the committee, worked as the treasurer and volunteers manager, and had the privilege of seeing his mentee grow from a troubled young boy into a responsible young adult. This award from the FPA’s philanthropic foundation recognises the amazing contribution Zacary has given to the organisation and the young Australians it supports with his time and experience.

Below is a summary list of the 2018 FPA Award winners

• FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year: Michael Carmody CFP®, Viva Wealth, Perth, WA
• FPA Professional Practice of the Year: Wotherspoon Wealth, Adelaide, SA
• FPA Financial Planner AFP® of the Year: Felicity Cooper AFP®, Cooper Wealth Management, Surfers Paradise, QLD
• FPA Paraplanner of the Year: Kearsten James CFP®, Sterling Private Wealth, Brisbane, QLD
• FPA University Student of the Year: Mary Hadgis, University of South Australia, SA
• Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award: John Dacker AFP®, Shadforth Financial Services, Sydney, NSW
• Community Service Award supported by Future2 Foundation: Zacary Leeson, CFP®, HPH Solutions, Perth, WA

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The FPA Awards recognise the achievements of outstanding financial planners, paraplanners, students and practices, and celebrate the individuals and businesses who go above and beyond for their local community.

FPA CEO Dante De Gori CFP® said finalists had been chosen because they have made a positive difference in the lives of clients, and delivered the highest professional and ethical standards outlined in the FPA Code of Professional Practice.

“Those shortlisted in the financial planner categories have shown exceptional commitment to professional standards and they’ve put their client’s best interest first at all times. I am extremely proud of the work being done by all the finalists and look forward to announcing the winners at Congress in November.”

Mr De Gori also highlighted the Community Service Award supported by Future2 Foundation that honours outstanding pro bono and volunteer work by CFP® professionals and Financial Planner AFP® members.

“With support from the financial planning community, we’re now on track to raise $1 million in grants for Future2 since fundraising started in 2007. As the philanthropic arm of the FPA, Future2 gives members the opportunity to raise funds for grassroots programs that transform the lives of young people who are experiencing social, financial or physical hardship.

“I’m especially proud of our members who contribute to Future2 through donations, getting involved in fundraising activities and by nominating organisations for the annual grant program.”

Depending on the category, prizes include $5,000 for either professional development or a charity of choice, support for media opportunities, and complimentary registration to the FPA Professionals Congress.

Award winners will be announced at the FPA 2018 Professionals Congress, along with the winner of the bi-annual Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award. For more information about the FPA Professionals Congress visit www.fpacongress.com.au.

The shortlist for each award is as follows:

FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award

• Michael Carmody CFP® – Viva Wealth (WA)
• James McFall CFP® – Yield Financial Planning (VIC)
• Chris Smith CFP® – VISIS Private Wealth (QLD)

FPA Financial Planner AFP® of the Year Award

• Felicity Cooper AFP® – Cooper Wealth Management (QLD)
• James O’Reilly AFP®– Northeast Wealth (VIC)
• Sandra Slattery AFP® – Commonwealth Financial Planning (NSW)

FPA Paraplanner of the Year Award

• Pierce Hanlen – Hewison and Associates (VIC)
• Kearsten James CFP® – Sterling Private Wealth (QLD)
• Emma Zwaan AFP® – Capital Partners (WA)

Community Service award supported by Future2 Foundation

• Amanda Cassar AFP®– Wealth Planning Partners (QLD)
• Wayne Fenton AFP® – Elders Financial Planning (TAS)
• Zacary Leeson CFP® – HPH Solutions (WA)

FPA Professional Practice of the Year Award

• Eureka Whittaker Macnaught – Sydney (NSW)
• VISIS Private Wealth – Brisbane (QLD)
• Wotherspoon Wealth – Adelaide (SA)

FPA University Student of the Year Award

• Mary Hadgis – University of South Australia (SA)
• Mitchell Harrison – Deakin University (VIC)
• Paul Travis – Griffith University (QLD)

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