The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) has named the semi-finalists for three awards that will be presented at its conference in Cairns next month.

The contenders for the adviser of the year award are:

• Bill Bracey, Sydney Financial Planning
• Catherine Robson, Affinity Private
• David Clark, Clark Pacific Financial Services
• Eleanor Dartnall, Dartnall Advisers
• Finn Kelly, Wealth Enhancers & WE Private
• Peter Byrne, Mr Insurance.

The semi-finalists for the practice of the year category are:

• Complete Financial Balance
• Complete Risk Analysis
• Rising Tide Financial Services
• Lighthouse Capital
• Robina Financial Solutions
• Tribeca Financial.

The female excellence in advice semi-finalists are:

• Adrienne Rush, Bendigo Financial Planning
• Dominique Bergel-Grant, Leapfrog Financial
• Kate McCallum, Multiforte Financial Services
• Julia Schortinghuis, Lighthouse Capital
• Katherine Hann, Alan Donald Financial Services
• Nadia Cassidy, Mercer Financial Advice
• Naomi Rosenthal, Tudor Investassure
• Sarah Riegelhuth, Wealth Enhancers
• Shu-Yi Schulstad, InsureWealth Financial Services.

AFA CEO Brad Fox says the standard of award candidates has “once again been exceptional” and “underscores the incredible job advisers are doing in changing lives for the better”.