Winners selected for the 2015 FPA Awards

The event will take place in Brisbane on 18–20 November. The accolades to be given out include the Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award, University Student of the Year, FPA Certified Financial Planner Professional of the Year, FPA Financial Planner AFP of the Year and the Future2 Community Service Award.

Winners of the practitioner categories – including the FPA CFP Professional, FPA Financial Planner AFP and Future2 awards – will receive free entry to next year's FPA Professionals Congress and $5,000 toward professional development or a professional event.

The winner of the University Student of the Year award will receive free entry into the CFP certification program.

FPA chief executive Mark Rantall said the calibre of the FPA Awards candidates this year was "impressive" and in particular, the University Student of the Year category attracted a high standard of applications.

"Education is key to ensuring a strong future for the financial planning profession, and we are thrilled to see budding financial planners demonstrate excellence early on," he said.

"We hope the FPA Awards inspire future financial planners to invest in education and deliver great results for their clients and community while making a meaningful contribution to our profession."

Anne Graham of McPhail HLG Financial Planning, who is also one of the FPA Awards judges, said the awards recognise and celebrate outstanding financial planners who show true professional leadership in the community.

"Winning an award or even becoming a finalist acknowledges planners who are 'the best of the best', providing a valuable point of difference in the eyes of colleagues, peers and clients," she said.

"Apart from the personal and professional benefits of winning an award, the FPA Award application process is a good exercise as it gives planners the opportunity to reflect on the specific contribution they make to their business and to the everyday lives of their clients."