Mel Jones

Early bird pricing for this year’s Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) Congress will finish on 30 September. The Congress, being held in Perth from 18 to 20 November, will have the theme ‘Ahead of the Curve’ reflecting the FAAA’s focus on helping advisers lead, adapt, and thrive in a fast-evolving professional landscape.

Currently FAAA member tickets are $1,210 and non-member tickets are $2,345. Once early bird registration closes full price member tickets are $1,525 and non-member tickets are $2,660.

The FAAA has also added to the speaker line-up, with former Australian cricketer, Mel Jones, who was part of the winning team at the 1997 Women’s Cricket World Cup, and in the Women’s Ashes series win in 2003, attending the Congress.

Mel Jones joins the closing session featuring cricket legend Adam Gilchrist. Considered by many as the greatest wicketkeeper-batsman in history, the former Australian vice-captain will talk about the highlights of his cricketing career, how he managed his career transition to commentary and will provide details of his global philanthropic work, and what it means to him.

FAAA general manager membership, Tania Milnes, says Congress is the highlight of the FAAA’s calendar, and a culmination of the year, with a comprehensive agenda and workshops, specialist sessions and keynote speakers curated to inform and educate members and those interested in financial advice.

“The early bird pricing represents a significant saving, and I urge those who plan to attend to purchase their tickets before September 30,” she says.

“The session “Minister & CEO: In Conversation” on the morning of Wednesday 19 November, with FAAA CEO Sarah Abood moderating a Q&A session, will be particularly relevant given the current environment,” Ms Milnes says.

“We look forward to hearing from the Minister about how the government is addressing the many current issues facing financial advisers.”

Education aside, Ms Milnes says Congress always provides excellent opportunities to network and be entertained, and this year will be no exception.

“There are a range of events for attendees to take advantage of, including the CFP® Professional Connect Breakfast on Tuesday November 18, the FAAA Community Breakfast on Wednesday November 19 (which will spotlight the Inspire and Gen Next Communities), as well as the FAAA Awards Gala Dinner on Wednesday November 19 celebrating excellence in the profession.”

For more details and to register for the FAAA Congress.

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The awards acknowledge members who are committed to delivering the highest standards of trusted and professional advice to Australian consumers, as well as those who go above and beyond to support their local community through pro bono and volunteer work. Additionally, the awards highlight the contribution of outstanding university students who represent the future of the financial advice profession.

FAAA general manager membership, Tania Milnes, said the awards are an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements across the wider advice profession and those who give extra effort to assist in their field and local community.

“The FAAA awards continue to recognise and celebrate those within the Australian financial advice profession that showcase the highest standards of professionalism and care.

“Financial advice is important for all Australians in maximising resilience and achieving their financial outcomes, therefore we recognise dedicated advisers who are committed to helping fellow Australians do so,” Ms Milnes said.

The finalists of the FAAA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award are:

• Sarah Leslie CFP®, Story Wealth Management
• Mark O’Flynn CFP®, Oxlade Financial
• Joe Stephan CFP®, Stephan Independent Advisory

The finalists for FAAAAdviser of the Year Awardare:

• Nikki Booth, My Wealth Solutions
• Adam Lai, Green Associates
• Christine Swanson, Prominent Financial Services

The finalists of the FAAA Professional Practice of the Year Award are:

• Boutique Advisers, WA
• Oxlade Financial, QLD
• WARR HUNT, VIC

The finalists for the FAAA Inspire Women – Excellence in Advice Award are:

• Melody Edwards CFP®, Evalesco Financial Services
• Morgan Hayward, Lume Wealth
• Kelly King, Iconic Wealth

The finalists for the FAAA Gen Next Rising Star of the Year Award are:

• Aayush Sharma, Frost Financial Services
• Shannon Victor, Oxlade Financial
• Aden Wilkins CFP®, Capital Partners

The finalists for the FAAA University Student of the Year Award are:

• Leah Dhu, Curtin University
• Katherine Mitterer, University of South Australia
• Callum Wishart, University of Queensland

Ms Milnes thanked the supporters of the awards, noting their commitment to the advancement of excellence in financial advice.

“This important recognition can’t happen without the help of our award sponsors, and we thank them for their ongoing support and commitment to excellence in our profession.”

Kieran Forde, head of adviser channel at Zurich Australia, the sponsors of the FAAA Adviser of the Year Award, said Zurich congratulates the finalists for their achievements and for leading the way in our industry. 

“Each of the three outstanding professionals has set themselves apart through their commitment to excellence, integrity, and the highest standards of advice. Their passion for helping clients achieve financial wellbeing is matched by their positive impact on the wider financial advice community.”

Beau Riley, general manager retail sales and new business at TAL, sponsor of the FAAA Inspire Women – Excellence in Advice Award, said the award recognises the remarkable impact women have across the profession.

“All the finalists have showcased what great advice really looks like – exceptional leadership combined with genuine care for clients and communities.

“Hearing the candidates’ stories has been a privilege, and they’re a powerful reminder of the role advisers play in helping Australians build confident financial futures. Congratulations to all finalists on this well-deserved recognition.”

Andrew Gregory, chief advice officer at UniSuper, sponsor of the FAAA University Student of the Year Award, said the calibre of entrants for this award continues to rise.

“UniSuper is delighted to support the next generation of advice professionals through this award for a second year. The future looks bright when emerging professionals are creating positive impact on the financial planning profession and their communities.”

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Tania Milnes, general manager, membership, at the FAAA says the awards program celebrates the powerful and transformative impact that financial advice can have on Australians.

“The FAAA Awards recognise members and FAAA Professional Practices who consistently uphold the highest standards of professionalism and trusted advice, while also acknowledging those who give back to their communities through pro bono or volunteer work,” she says.

“By supporting these awards, our members are helping to highlight the dedication, skill, and passion that define our profession, and to tell the poitive stories that too often go unheard.”

For the second year, peer nominations are encouraged, offering members the chance to recognise the achievements of colleagues.

“This not only encourages individuals to put themselves forward but also acts to affirm the commitment and contribution of their peers,” Ms Milnes says.

“Nominating a peer has been successful in encouraging our unsung heroes to apply, especially those less inclined to put themselves forward.

“Now more than ever, we want to shine a light on the life-changing advice our members deliver to clients every day.”

The FAAA Awards recognise excellence in financial advice across six categories, and full details of the criteria for each award can be found here. 

• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year
• Adviser of the Year (sponsored by Zurich)
• Professional Practice of the Year
• Inspire Women – Excellence in Advice (sponsored by TAL)
• Gen Next Rising Star of the Year
• University Student of the Year (sponsored by UniSuper)

Kieran Forde, head of adviser channel at Zurich Australia, expressed Zurich’s enthusiasm for continuing its long partnership with the FAAA to support the Adviser of the Year Award. 

“Zurich is thrilled to support a program that honours exceptional advisers who embody professionalism and excellence. The advice industry has undergone significant transformation in recent years, and we are seeing renewed optimism and confidence in its future. 

“This award not only celebrates individual accomplishments but also highlights Zurich’s ongoing commitment to fostering growth and a brighter future for advisers and the broader financial services community,” Mr Forde says.

Beau Riley, general manager, retail sales, at TAL says: “TAL has proudly supported this Award for more than a decade. We think it’s important to shine a light on the positive impact women have on financial advice. Their leadership, expertise, and dedication support not just their clients’ financial futures but also their communities and the profession. It’s a meaningful way to celebrate their stories of success and leadership, as well as encouraging a more diverse and inclusive future for the industry.”   

Andrew Gregory, head of financial advice and education at UniSuper, says: “As the home for advice professionals, UniSuper is proud to again sponsor the 2025 FAAA University Student of the Year Award. This award shines a light on future leaders in our profession, their skill, passion, and the bright future they represent. Financial advice has the power to change lives and is driven by advice professionals who care deeply about the impact they make. Congratulations to all the nominees on this well-deserved recognition.”

All nominations for an award must include specific examples that illustrate the nominee’s professional attributes and achievements, unique contributions, leadership qualities, and the positive impact they have had on their team, organisation, the profession, and the community.

For more details and to submit a nomination or application, click here. Members can nominate their peers up until 15 July and award applications close on 3 August. Winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner Ceremony at the FAAA Congress in Perth on 19 November.

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Tania Milnes

“By talking to a licensed financial adviser, you can be better off” is the message of a new consumer-focused marketing campaign recently launched by the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA), aimed at promoting the value of professional financial advice to consumers.

General manager, membership, Tania Milnes, says quality financial advice changes lives for the better, and this campaign will reinforce that message among Australians.

“Financial advice can be life-changing – it can be aspirational, it can give people control over their lives, it can help them achieve their dreams, and it can give confidence and peace of mind,” Ms Milnes says.

“Our new awareness campaign takes a distinctive and different approach to present the message that people will be better off if they get professional financial advice from a licensed financial planner.

“As the leading voice for financial advice professionals in Australia, the FAAA is committed to elevating the profession and advocating for the financial wellbeing of Australians, so they can be financially better off.​”

The FAAA consumer awareness campaign will be a predominantly digital campaign, appearing in social media channels including Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. It will be promoted in relevant podcasts and will appear in search and display on Google.

Ms Milnes says this is a deliberate strategy to reach Australians in the same channels that they are getting information from finfluencers that may be risky and unreliable.

“One-in-three Australians are still turning to unqualified finfluencers for guidance – a decision that could cost them a lot.

“With Australians losing over $1.3 billion to financial scams in the last year, the launch of this campaign is timely,” she says.

“Our own research shows that quality, professional financial advice empowers Australians to build a secure future, enjoy a higher quality of life and experience less financial stress.

“The campaign highlights this by connecting people with a professional licensed financial adviser who is a member of the FAAA.

“It emphasises that FAAA members have the qualifications and expertise needed to help people manage the complexities of the financial world,” she says.

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Tania Milnes, general manager membership with FAAA, said this is the second year of the FAAA Awards.

“The FAAA Awards are designed to recognise members who deliver the highest standards of professionalism and trusted advice to Australian consumers, as well as those who have gone above and beyond to support their local community through pro bono and volunteer work.

“The awards also highlight the outstanding university students who represent the bright future of the financial advice profession.”

The finalists in the 2024 FAAA Awards for each professional category are:

FAAA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award

• Teneale Laister CFP® – Alman Partners (QLD)
• Bianca Musico CFP® – Warr Hunt (VIC)
• Scott Quinlan CFP® – Solace Financial (QLD)

FAAA Adviser of the Year (sponsored by Zurich Australia)

• Melinda Brown – UniSuper Advice (NSW)
• John Cachia – Thriving Wealth (VIC)
• Rebecca Pritchard – Rising Tide Financial Services (VIC)

FAAA Inspire Women – Excellence in Advice Award (sponsored by TAL)

• Robyn Arnold – Kreate Wealth (QLD)
• Kelsey Dent – Alman Partners (QLD)
• Magdeline Jacovides CFP® – Mazi Wealth (QLD)

FAAA Professional Practice of the Year (sponsored by Cbus Super)

• Capital Partners (WA)
• Warr Hunt (VIC)
• Alman Partners (QLD)

FAAA Gen Next Rising Star of the Year

• Jakob Ayres – Apt Wealth Partners (VIC)
• Kirra Sharrock – Bravium (ACT)
• Simone Vasnaik – Verse Wealth (VIC)

FAAA University Student of the Year (sponsored by UniSuper)

• Phillip Ambrose – QUT
• Emma McKenzie – Deakin University
• Brandon Rerrie – Griffith University

Ms Milnes paid tribute to the companies sponsoring four of the award categories, noting their commitment to supporting excellence in financial advice.

“Now more than ever, we want to shine the light on the positive, life-changing advice that FAAA members provide to their clients.  By supporting the FAAA Awards, they help us celebrate commitment, talent, and passion within our profession.”

Zurich Australia head of adviser channel, Kieran Forde, said: “The three finalists for the Adviser of the Year award have distinguished themselves by exemplifying excellence and the highest professional standards.

“They are dedicated professionals, whose contributions greatly benefit their clients and the broader financial community.”

TAL general manager, retail sales & new business, Beau Riley, said: “The Financial Advice Association of Australia Inspire Women – Excellence in Advice Award highlights the outstanding contributions women make in the financial advice profession, and the three finalists exemplify excellence in delivering high-quality financial advice and helping their clients secure their financial futures. They serve to inspiring others to join the financial planning community and we honour their success.”

Cbus Super senior manager, advice services, Simon Power said: “The quality of the applications this year for the FAAA Professional Practice of the Year award has, once again, made it a difficult task to choose the finalists. All finalists should feel extremely proud of their achievements and the strong client focus they clearly demonstrate.”

UniSuper general manager, financial advice and education, Andrew Gregory, said: “With so many exceptional entries for the FAAA University Student of the Year, selecting a winner will be no easy task. Congratulations to the finalists who set the standard for excellence. It’s clear that the future of our profession is in good hands, and UniSuper is committed to supporting the next generation of advisers who will drive our industry forward.”

The winners in each category will be announced at the FAAA Awards Gala Dinner at the FAAA Congress in Brisbane on 28 November.  

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Tania Milnes

The FAAA has launched an upgraded Find a Planner^[1] tool to help members connect with potential clients and grow their businesses.

The new Find a Planner has an improved user interface and enhanced profile pages to better match financial advisers with consumers.  Members will be able to take advantage of greater personalisation options for their profiles to better illustrate their points of difference.

Tania Milnes, FAAA’s general manager membership, says it is the final step in the FAAA’s digital transformation, which also includes a redesign of the Money & Life^[2] website, now purely a consumer-hub focused on financial wellbeing and giving members the opportunity to contribute their expertise and knowledge.

“Our members have told us that greater engagement with consumers was something they would like to see from the FAAA. The relaunch of the Find a Planner tool, and revamped Money & Life website including a monthly newsletter, are key elements of this focus.

“Money & Life offers insights and tips from FAAA members, and other experts, to help Australians take control of their financial future, as well as better understand the value of advice, while the Find a Planner tool will enable them to find the right adviser for them,” she said.

New features of Find a Planner include allowing consumers more options to filter their search, including by credentials, areas of specialisation and focus, languages spoken, gender, and years of experience.  There is also a keyword search that will pick up any words used in the member’s profile.

Members can now update their profiles to include details such as the starting rates for fees and whether they offer virtual or face-to-face meetings. There is also a “quick links” section for access to social media profiles, their FAR profile or Adviser Ratings profile

The FAAA will also be undertaking a marketing campaign to encourage consumers to visit the Find a Planner resource, which will start later in the year.

———

Notes:
[1] https://faaa.au/find-a-planner/
[2] https://moneyandlife.com.au/

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Nominations open for the 2024 FAAA Awards.

Nominations are now open for the 2024 FAAA Awards, and members are encouraged to apply for an award themselves or to nominate fellow members who they believe deliver the highest standards of financial advice to Australian consumers while also serving their community.  

FAAA GM Membership, Tania Milnes, said that the awards recognise the positive, life-changing impact that good financial advice can have on Australians.  

“The FAAA Awards are designed to recognise members who deliver the highest standards of professionalism and trusted advice to Australian consumers, as well as those who have gone above and beyond to support their local community through pro bono or volunteer work.

“By supporting the FAAA Awards, our members can help celebrate the commitment, talent, and passion within our profession and share the good stories about financial advice,” she said.

This year, members will also be able to nominate others for an award.

“This not only encourages applicants to put themselves forward but also validates the hard work and dedication of their peers,” Ms Milnes said.

“Nominating peers fosters a culture of recognition and appreciation within your organisation, the profession, and the advice community. Recognising others’ accomplishments can lead to higher morale, increased motivation, and a stronger sense of belonging.” 

The FAAA Awards recognise excellence in financial advice across six categories, and full details of the criteria for each award can be found here. 

• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year
• Adviser of the Year (sponsored by Zurich)
•  Inspire Women – Excellence in Advice (sponsored by TAL)
• Professional Practice of the Year (sponsored by Cbus Super)
• Gen Next Rising Star of the Year
• University Student of the Year (sponsored by UniSuper)

Martin McGrath CFP® of Financial Edge Group, who won last year’s CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award, says: “Participating in the FAAA award process was transformative. It allowed me to reflect on my journey as a financial planner and reminded me why I do what I do. The connections and friendships made with peers during this process have been invaluable.”

Beau Riley, TAL General Manager, Retail Sales and New Business, said TAL is again proudly sponsoring the Inspire Women – Excellence in Advice Award, which aims to promote diversity and foster positive change within the financial advice industry.

“The award honours women who contribute significantly to their clients, profession and community, while empowering female advisers to shape the future of the industry. Over the last decade, these industry awards have celebrated numerous remarkable women who have emerged as leaders during a period of significant transformation in the advice profession.”

Kieran Forde, Head of Adviser Channel at Zurich Australia, said Zurich is pleased to be an ongoing partner of the Adviser of the Year Award.

“We are proud to support a program that recognises outstanding individuals who exemplify professionalism and high standards. This award not only celebrates individual achievements but also highlights Zurich’s commitment to supporting advisers and the broader financial industry.”

Andrew Gregory, Head of Financial Advice and Education at UniSuper, said: “UniSuper is proud to sponsor the FAAA University Student of the Year Award. This award highlights exceptional work, skill and passion for advice in the next generation of talented professionals, and UniSuper congratulates all nominees. Financial advice makes a huge difference in the lives of Australians every day. But it doesn’t happen by accident. Skilled, passionate people drive great advice, and this award highlights the best of the best.”

All nominations for an award must include specific examples that illustrate the nominee’s professional attributes and achievements, unique contributions, leadership qualities, and the positive impact they have had on their team, organisation, the profession, or the community.

 For more details and to submit a nomination for the awards, click here. Members can nominate their peers up until 24 July and award applications close on 6 August. Winners will be announced at the at Gala Dinner Ceremony at FAAA Congress, in Brisbane on 28 November.

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The average revenue per client for financial advisers is $3,852, an increase of eight per cent since 2020, while the number of clients per adviser sits at 141.  

Practice profitability also remains strong and suggests that, notwithstanding the turmoil and uncertainties of the past two years, Australian practices have held up well. 

Salaries take up almost half of practices’ revenue (44.9 per cent) but finding the right people continues to be a challenge. Competition for talent remains stiff and two-thirds of practice owners indicate they will be looking to hire in the coming 12 months.   

Encouragingly, client satisfaction ratings have remained at the same high level over the past few years, at 4.3/5, showing that advisers have dealt well with challenges such as COVID-19, ongoing regulatory change, and declining numbers of advisers in Australia. 

Business Health principal, Rod Bertino, says the overwhelmingly positive feedback from clients suggests they are truly happy with their advisers. 

“This result is to the great credit of financial advisers who have grappled with a number of challenges in recent years. 

“However it is important that they continue to focus on their clients and providing them with great service and advice. 

“Without clients, you don’t have a business and, without satisfied clients, your business is at risk.  As such, it’s simply best practice to regularly seek feedback from your clients in an objective, independent way so you know how satisfied they are with you and your service. 

“If you haven’t undertaken a client satisfaction survey in within the past 24 months, we strongly suggest that you do so.” 

One area of notable change is in the number of support staff per adviser.  This has risen from 1:1 in 2020 to 1.5 per adviser in the most recent report, suggesting a shift in responsibilities and roles within practices. 

“This may be an area that practice owners should review,” says Mr Bertino.  “A higher ratio could suggest areas where greater efficiency could be achieved.  On the other hand, a lower ratio could mean that advisers are doing some of the admin work and not making best use of their time.” 

Tania Milnes, general manager, memberships at FAAA, says the report shows a profession with a bright future, notwithstanding the ongoing challenges. 

“We know that operating a successful practice has become increasingly challenging in recent years, as advisers balance the need to be sustainable and profitable with the regulatory red tape and the cost of providing advice. 

“It doesn’t surprise me to see that advisers have risen to the challenge and have continued to provide quality advice to Australians.  

“Australia now has the highest standards in the world for the provision of financial advice. The move to professionalism has been a very positive development for clients. Our financial system has become so complex that it’s almost impossible to navigate alone and quality professional financial advice is essential.”  

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Sarah Abood

Early bird tickets to the Financial Advice Association Australia’s 2024 roadshow series are now available. The event is taking place across Australia in April and May.

The roadshows theme will focus on building efficiencies with presentations on:

• building efficiencies for business improvement
• showcasing best practice
• ethical growth in business.

There will also be updates from the FAAA board as well as FAAA CEO Sarah Abood, a policy and advocacy update from Phil Anderson (general manager of policy and advocacy), and an update from ASIC on some of the key legislative areas.  Up to 5 CPD hours are available to attendees.

FAAA’s general manager, membership Tania Milnes, says both members and non-members are welcome at the roadshow, with the opportunity to network and learn from colleagues.

“The sessions have been designed to provide advisers with valuable information that will help them work more effectively and efficiently.  This includes managing compliance requirements, and using technology to streamline the advice process.

“In addition, the session with Dr Katherine Hunt from Ardentura Consulting will look at ethical growth strategies to achieve client best practice outcomes.”

The roadshow will visit:

• Albury Wodonga – Tuesday 30 April
• Sydney – Friday 3 May
• Canberra – Monday 6 May
• Melbourne – Wednesday 8 May
• Hobart – Thursday 9 May
• Mackay – Monday 13 May
• Orange – Friday 17 May
• Brisbane – Tuesday 21 May
• Adelaide – Thursday 23 May
• Perth – Friday 24 May

Early Bird Tickets are now available to members for $149 (including GST) and non-members for $269 (including GST).  Group bookings by FAAA members receive a further 10 per cent discount on all tickets.

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Mortgage Choice will offer MoneyTrack tool as a part of their cash flow coaching service.

Moneysoft’s advice technology will power a new Mortgage Choice Financial Planning tool aimed at bolstering clients’ money management skills and helping them reach their financial goals. Mortgage Choice Financial Planning will offer the tool under the name of MoneyTrack as a part of their cash flow coaching service.

Tania Milnes, general manager of Mortgage Choice Financial Planning, said the new tool will help its national network of advisers to enhance the affordable and transparent advice they provide to clients.

“The introduction of MoneyTrack will provide a robust basis for the advice we currently provide to help manage their cash flow,” she said. “It gives clients an easy to understand tool that provides a clear picture of their spending and saving habits and helps steer the conversation around achieving their financial goals.”

Moneysoft’s head of technology and commercial operations, Jon Shaw, said that the platform would also provide an efficiency boost for advisers.

“Our technology features straight-through processing which cuts down on manual data entry, delivering time savings to advisers while also enabling them to develop a greater understanding of their clients’ individual financial circumstances,” he said. “We have a full suite of resources to support the offer and help advisers adopt this innovation seamlessly as part of their core business.”

The introduction of MoneyTrack builds on the established reputation Mortgage Choice has developed as a transparent and accessible provider of financial solutions to everyday Australians.

The partnership also offers the potential for Moneysoft to support Mortgage Choice Financial Planning in further automation of the systems that underpin its advice.

“Moneysoft forms part of an integrated solution for an automated financial advice process,” Shaw said. “We’re very excited at the prospect of helping Mortgage Choice realise the full potential of our technology platform.”

The new partnership with Mortgage Choice extends Moneysoft’s customer base of financial advisory and dealer groups to a total of ten.

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