The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) has doubled its membership within four years, after its ranks grew by 26% this year to reach 1470 affiliates.

AFA President Jim Taggart says the strong growth figures demonstrate the organisation is “consistently representing our members on all fronts”.

The AFA is mostly comprised of individual members with some corporate affiliates. Next year it intends to run public campaigns aimed at improving the perception of financial advisers among the community.

The rival Financial Planning Association represents about 12,000 individuals and firms, while the Investment and Financial Services Association has 135 company members.