The quality of entrants for this year’s Association of Financial Advisers Excellence in Education Awards can help improve public perceptions of the industry, according to an award sponsor.

Asteron Life EGM Adviser Distribution Jordan Hawke says the state winners demonstrate a high degree of professionalism.

“With more advisers of this standard, we can help educate consumers and regulators that advisers are well-educated professionals committed to investing in themselves and their businesses through lifelong education,” he said.

“These advisers have set a benchmark for their peers by demonstrating that education is the cornerstone of adviser professionalism and, through their ability to provide high-quality advice, they demonstrate value to their customers and increase consumer trust in the advice profession.”

The state winners are Collins SBA Wealth Protection Adviser Duncan Forces (Tasmania); Wealth Logic Financial Planner Craig Muchamore (SA); Paramount Financial Services Group director Wayne Leggett (WA); William Buck Senior Financial Adviser Sam Kitchen (NSW); McPhail HLG Financial Planning MD Anne Graham (Victoria); and Astro Financial Planning Financial Planner Sanja Ajzerie (Queensland).

Morgan Stanley Financial Adviser Jawad Ahmad, of SA, was highly commended.

The state winners will attend a panel interview with the judges, and the national winner will be announced at the association conference on the Gold Coast from October 13 to 15.

Entries close on Wednesday for the AFA’s Rising Star, Adviser of the Year and the Female Excellence in Advice awards.