Looking for the best financial planners

Monday, September 30th 2002, 6:13AM

The third annual Financial Planner of the Year Awards will be held on November 13 at the Sheraton Hotel in Auckland. The Awards are designed to promote financial planning to the public and highlight excellence and professionalism within the industry.

"While the Securities Commission continues to root out improper practice and dodgy advice, it's great to able to focus on those who provide best practice and offer professional services in financial planning," says organiser Philip Macalister from New Zealand's free online money management magazine Good Returns.

"Regardless of how investment markets are performing, the investing public should always be able to seek out and receive good financial advice," ING New Zealand managing director Paul Fyfe says.

"We have chosen to sponsor the Financial Planner of the Year Awards once again to help promote excellence in financial planning and good savings practice to the wider public".

Judged by industry leaders including Rod Carr, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank, Mary Holm, independent financial journalist and Colin Blair, Retirement Commissioner, the professionalism and expertise of entrants is judged on a number of criteria.

As with previous Awards, entry will require a 600 word 'Case for the Award' demonstrating how the entrant has met a wide range of criteria. Submissions must also include a recent plan for an existing client together with a testimonial from that client.

AMP New Zealand managing director Ross Kent, sees the Awards as integral to AMP's emphasis on continuing education for advisers. "Too many of the public have been given bad advice by advisers without the core skills and knowledge to meet their client's needs. We insist all our advisers complete a robust education and accreditation programme. These Awards raise the profile of Financial Advisers with the public, recognising the high standards generally met by the financial planning industry."

Last year's winner New Zealand Financial Planning Auckland-based co-founder Jordi Garcia believes he won because of his emphasis on process and helping people meet their financial goals.

"The Awards recognise the high level of integrity and investment acumen shown by financial planners in New Zealand", AXA New Zealand chief executive Vaughan Underwood says. "The public can be reassured that professional advice can be found especially in these tough times for investment markets."

This years' financial planner of the year will get more than $7000 worth of prizes including an opportunity to attend an international financial planning convention, and prizes sponsored by Morningstar and Microsoft.

"The recognition and kudos the winner receives for the Awards is worthy repayment for the effort these professionals go to to ensure their clients get the best financial advice," says Paul Forder of Awards sponsor Sovereign. "Planners who enter these Awards know it is not enough to simply put a client into an investment that offers the best commission. They are not the people the Securities Commission is after. They truly listen to their clients and offer a range of suitable investment products. We look forward to the Awards ceremony on 13November."

The Awards are sponsored by AMP, AXA, ING, Perpetual Investments and Sovereign. Prizes are supplied by Microsoft and Morningstar.

Download an entry form here or request a form by emailing awards@goodreturns.co.nz

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