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Why should I enter?

Members that have achieved individual Chartered Financial Planner status are now widely recognised as having achieved the gold standard for the financial advisory profession and clearly demonstrate a commitment to professionalism.

The Personal Finance Society will now recognise the contribution that Chartered Financial Planner’s have made to raising professional standards through the launch of the Chartered Awards. The flagship Chartered Financial Planner of the Year award will see a practising Chartered Financial Planner recognised by their professional body following a rigorous 3 stage judging process.

The winner will have demonstrated superior ability across a broad range of professional skills and an extraordinary commitment to the advancement of their profession. Being the winner of the inaugural Chartered Financial Planner of the Year will be a truly unique achievement and undoubtedly represent the ultimate endorsement of excellence and professional achievement.

Am I eligible to enter?

The Chartered Financial Planner (Individual) award category is open to individuals who:

• Are qualified Chartered Financial Planners;
• Are FSA authorised to provide advice;
• Are currently practicing as financial advisers / planners;
• Are full members of the Personal Finance Society;
• Submit their entry before the Stage 1 closing date of 28 August 2009.

How will I be judged?

Excellence is about more than academic achievement and professionalism is about more than knowledge. By entering for the award for Chartered Financial Planner of the Year you will be committing to a 3 stage judging process designed to enable you to demonstrate the wide range of skills necessary to give clients accurate, clear, effective and highly professional financial advice, and be able to represent your profession.

Stage 1 – Entrants are initially invited to complete an entry form and explain to the judges, in no more than 500 words, why they think they should receive the accolade of Chartered Financial Planner of the Year for 2009. Entries must be supported by:

• An example client agreement / TOB
• A services and costs disclosure document
• Your CII learning statement
• Your up to date CPD record for the year

Entrants are also encouraged to support their entry with evidence or other documentation which they feel demonstrates their worthiness to win this award.

Entrants will be assessed on the overall coherence of the case they put forward, on the clarity of their client proposition and the standard and extent of the CPD they have undertaken.   

Stage 2 – A shortlist of entrants from stage 1 will be invited to complete a hypothetical holistic case study, independently authored by Taxbriefs, and independently judged by Technical Connection.

Stage 3 – Finalists will be invited to a panel interview where judges will question them on a range of subjects to gain a better understanding of their skills, service proposition, professionalism and presentational skills. The panel will be made up of:

• A consumer representative;
• A personal finance journalist;
• A technical specialist;
• A Chartered Financial Planner; and
• The PFS President.

Throughout the process the ultimate winner will undoubtedly demonstrate a passion for their profession, and demonstrate the high standards of professionalism expected of someone who is about to be elevated as a role model for the entire advisory profession.

How do I enter?