The Financial Planning Association (FPA) has announced the finalists in its annual awards program.

The contenders in six categories are:

• Certified financial planner of the year: Michael Carmody, Viva Wealth; James McFall, Yield Financial Planning; Chris Smith, VISIS Private Wealth
• Financial planner: Felicity Cooper, Cooper Wealth Management; James O’Reilly, Northeast Wealth; Sandra Slattery, Commonwealth Financial Planning
• FPA Paraplanner: Pierce Hanlen, Hewison and Associates; Kearsten James, Sterling Private Wealth; Emma Zwaan, Capital Planners
• Future2 Foundation community service award: Amanda Cassar, Wealth Planning Partners; Wayne Fenton, Elders Financial Planning; Zacary Leeson, HPH Solutions
• FPA professional practice: Eureka Whittaker Macnaught (NSW); VISIS Private Wealth (Queensland); Wotherspoon Wealth (SA)
• FPA university student of the year: Mary Hadgis, University of South Australia; Mitchell Harrison, Deakin University; Paul Travis, Griffith University.

Winners will be announced at the FPA Professionals Congress in Sydney next month.