Manias joins Wattle Partners with a decade of financial planning experience under his belt, working across several boutique financial planning practices in Victoria.

Jamie Nemtsas, Partner and Director at Wattle Partners says: “We welcome Renato to our group at a time when the financial planning sector is undergoing an overhaul. We know that our clients today want good advice — which can be more easily measured.

“Our firm continues its growth trajectory and having exceptional talent on board is key to our success. The acquisition of the highly respected independent asset consulting firm Atchison Consultants last year shows we are committed to run a better, stronger business that provides better outcomes for clients. In conjunction with Atchison Consultants, we seek to deliver enhanced outcomes,” he notes.

“We believe financial planning is a client centric business and we want to ensure we have the very best team to help our clients achieve their long term goals,” says Nemtsas.

“We look forward to Renato working closely with our clients across a wide range of areas covering the formulation and implementation of complex financial advice,” adds Drew Meredith, Director and Partner at Wattle Partners.

Manias holds a Master of Financial Planning and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), having achieved the highest score in the CFP program in 2021 and was the winner of the FPA Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award.

Manias says: “I am very excited to work with the team at Wattle Partners. The firm stands out amongst the peers with its proud history and its determination to continue Austin Donnelly’s legacy of being a strong advocate for tailored, client-centric advice for our clients that always puts their interests first.

“I look forward to providing meaningful contribution to the financial well-being of our clients,” says Manias.

The post Leading financial advisory firm Wattle Partners bolsters team with the appointment of Renato Manias appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Susan Buda

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has named Sydney-based financial planner Susan Buda of Brady & Associates Financial Advisers, as the second 2021 winner of the Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award.

Named after the late ‘First lady of Financial Planning’, the award recognises the highest performing student in the CFP® Certification Unit (CFP C) for each semester, with demonstrable dedication to providing high-quality financial advice.

Mrs Buda said the CFP® Certification Program was a challenging, but practical experience especially whilst working at home during lockdown with young children.

“It was a challenging course, but I was surprised and delighted to win this award,” Mrs Buda said.

Mrs Buda completed a Master’s of Financial Planning at Kaplan Professional and took the Master’s integration pathway into the CFP® Certification Program.

“I always intended on doing the CFP® Certification Program because it’s an internationally recognised designation and acknowledged as a sign of excellence in financial planning.”

She said the CFP® Certification Program is very practical and draws upon a real world case study that challenges your critical thinking skills.

“You have to assess the client’s situation, consider their communication style and present all options and their outcomes. It’s a great practical experience that will benefit my clients.”

FPA CEO, Dante De Gori CFP®, congratulated Mrs Buda on her win: “I would like to congratulate Susan on her achievement and to formally recognise her ongoing commitment to Gwen’s legacy of improving the financial planning profession through education and higher professional standards.

“The FPA is pleased to hear positive feedback around the CFP® Certification program, particularly around the practical application. The program equips financial planner practitioners with the skills to deliver the highest quality of advice to Australian consumers,” concludes Mr De Gori.

The CFP® designation is the only financial planning designation recognised globally. It is a recognised symbol of excellence for financial planners who are actively committed through higher education and accountability to adhering to world-class professional and ethical standards.

With the new education standards, all financial planners will be expected to hold an approved degree by 2026. The CFP® designation continues to offer financial planning professionals a way to differentiate themselves in the profession.

This is the second Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award winner this year, with Melbourne-based financial planner Renato Manias being recognised in February 2021.

The post FPA names second 2021 winner of Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award  appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Renato Manias

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has named Melbourne-based financial planner Renato Manias as the first 2021 winner of the Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award.

Named after the late ‘First lady of Financial Planning’, the award recognises the highest performing student in the CFP^® Certification Unit (CFP C) for each semester, with demonstrable dedication to providing high-quality financial advice.

Mr Manias, who has been a financial planner for eight years, said the CFP^® Certification Program was a challenging and rewarding experience .

“I have worked very hard to get to this point and am honoured to win this prestigious award,” Mr Manias said. “One of my primary motivations for becoming a CFP^® was a desire to achieve the highest designation in the profession. I don’t take shortcuts and have always strived to obtain the best qualifications in the field.”

Mr Manias completed a Masters of Financial Planning at Kaplan Professional before choosing to become a CFP^® professional. He said the CFP^® Certification Program is very practical and he praised the program’s assignment component.

“Working through realistic case studies in depth and completing SOAs was the highlight of the program. The knowledge I’ve gained from the program will be hugely beneficial to me and my clients.”

FPA CEO, Dante De Gori CFP^®, congratulated Mr Manias on his win: “I would like to congratulate Renato on his achievement and to formally recognise his ongoing commitment to Gwen’s legacy of improving the financial planning profession through education and higher professional standards.

“The FPA is pleased to hear positive feedback around the online program, particularly the flexibility it offers to financial planners to achieve and maintain a work-life balance. The program has a strong support structure so everyone can get the most out of their online experience,” concludes Mr De Gori.

The CFP^® designation is the only financial planning designation recognised globally. It is a recognised symbol of excellence for financial planners who are actively committed through higher education and accountability to adhering to world-class professional and ethical standards.

With the new education standards, all financial planners will be expected to hold an approved degree by 2026. The CFP^® designation continues to offer financial planning professionals a way to differentiate themselves in the profession.

The post FPA names first 2021 winner of Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award appeared first on AdviserVoice.