Craig Roberts of Elston Private Wealth in Queensland has been awarded the Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award for the second semester of 2024 by the FAAA.
Mr Roberts is a private wealth adviser at Elston based in Brisbane. He also holds a bachelor of business in accounting, and a postgraduate diploma in financial planning.
Named after the late ‘First Lady of Financial Planning’, the award recognises the highest performing student in the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification Unit (CFP C) for each semester, with demonstrable dedication to providing high-quality financial advice. The CFP® designation is the largest and best-recognised financial planning designation globally.
Mr Roberts said receiving the award is a pivotal moment in his professional journey.
“This recognition is a real honour and I see it as symbolising the pinnacle of my formal education.
“Financial planning is about helping people navigate some of the most important decisions of their lives. Trust is essential in our profession and the CFP® certification is recognised as the highest standard in our industry.
“Undertaking the CFP® certification was an important step in demonstrating my commitment to developing the skills, knowledge and professionalism to make a meaningful difference in the lives of my clients and provide them with the confidence that their financial futures are in safe hands.”
Anne Palmer, FAAA’s general manager – education, said the award was well-deserved.
“Everyone who takes part in the CFP® Certification Program puts in a high degree of work and effort, so it is always a challenge to select one person to receive this award.
“Craig has shown dedication and commitment to his studies, while at the same time continuing with his work for his clients and also having a young family. On behalf of the FAAA, I congratulate him on having achieved the peak level of qualification in financial planning.
“Our latest Value of Advice research shows that CFPs® achieve the highest recognition of the value of financial advice amongst consumers, which reflects their extra level of dedication. We are seeing more of our members considering taking part in the program, which is very good news for the profession as a whole,” Ms Palmer says.
The CFP designation is the most respected financial planning designation globally, with more than 223,700 CFP professionals worldwide. It is a symbol of excellence for financial planners around the world who are actively committed through higher education and accountability to adhering to world-class professional and ethical standards. The CFP designation offers financial planning professionals a way to differentiate themselves in the profession.
For more information on the CFP Certification Program, visit https://faaa.au/cfp-certification/.
