The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has named Renato Manias as the first 2021 winner of the Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award Memorial Award.
Named after the late “First lady of Financial Planning”, the award recognised the highest performing student in the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Certification Unit for each semester with demonstrable dedication to providing high-quality financial services.
The Melbourne-based financial planner had been a planner for eight years and he said the program had been a challenging and rewarding experience.
“I have worked very hard to get to this point and am honoured to win this prestigious award,” 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.”
Manias completed a Masters of Financial Planning at Kaplan Professional before choosing to become a CFP professional.
“Working through realistic case studies in depth and completing statements of advice was the highlight of the program,” Manias said.
“The knowledge I’ve gained from the program will be hugely beneficial to me and my clients.”
Dante De Gori, FPA chief executive, said: “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.”
