The Financial Planning Association (FPA) has shortlisted the finalists in the running for its annual awards recognising outstanding performance across six categories.

FPA says the awards, now in their ninth year, also celebrate the individuals and businesses who go above and beyond to deliver outstanding results for clients.

“The 20 finalists have been chosen because they have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to professional standards and made a positive difference to the lives of clients and their local community,” FPA CEO Dante De Gori said.

“The judges have been very impressed by the high calibre of award entries this year and look forward to announcing the award winners in November.”

Here are the finalists in six categories:

FPA Certified Financial Planner Professional of the Year - Kathryn Creasy (Capital Partners Private Wealth Advisers, WA), Matthew Meehan (Lifesolver Financial, NSW), Naomi Mee-Martino (Bastion Financial Group, WA), Mark O’Flynn (Tupicoffs, Queensland)

FPA Professional Practice of the Year - Alman Partners (Queensland), APT Wealth (NSW), Enlightened Financial Solutions (Queensland)

FPA Financial Planner AFP of the Year - Leanne Bielik (Wealth Pty Ltd, Victoria), Michelle Maguire (MLC Advise, NSW), Craig Phillips (Phillips Wealth Partners, ACT)

FPA Advice Innovation - Josh Pennell (Prosper Advisory Financial Services, Victoria), Daniel Thompson (Finnacle, NSW)

FPA Paraplanner of the Year - Andrew Mann (Tupicoffs, Queensland), Elora Shine (Cooper Wealth Management, NSW)

FPA University Student of the Year - Nicole Gardner (Kaplan Professional, Victoria), Martin Jack (Griffith University, Queensland), Matthew Kanizay (Deakin University, Victoria), Melina Pisani (Deakin University, Victoria), Renae Poole (Griffith University, Queensland), Aaron Skow (Kaplan Professional, NSW)