The Financial Planning Association (FPA) has reported a jump in membership with the biggest growth (71%) in the student category.

More than 1000 new members joined the FPA during the 2010 financial year, according to the association’s latest annual review.

The FPA website says the association has about 12,000 members, although not all are advisers, with associate members coming from financial services companies.

FPA Chairman Julie Berry says the number of new members is a record in recent years.

“We have seen exceptional new member numbers during the past year,” she said. “It is extremely exciting for both the association and the financial planning profession.”