The winners of the 2025 FAAA Awards have been announced at this year’s FAAA Congress Gala Dinner in Perth (Wednesday 19 November 2025).

The awards acknowledge the work of outstanding individuals in the financial advice profession who display leadership, innovation, client focus and an ongoing commitment to excellence at both an individual and practice level.

Following an in-depth judging process, 18 finalists across six categories were recognised for their focus on delivering the highest standard of trusted and professional advice to Australian consumers.

The winner of the FAAA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award is Mark O’Flynn CFP® of Oxlade Financial in Queensland.

Mr O’Flynn has more than 20 years’ experience in financial advice and is the managing director at Oxlade.

FAAA Chair David Sharpe CFP® said Mr O’Flynn has shown great dedication to improving the lives of his clients.

"Mark not only clearly demonstrated a level of technical excellence, incorporating engagement with all the professionals in a client’s life, but he also showed great empathy and professional judgement to adapt and deliver client first advice in times of considerable client distress.

“As an active member of the FAAA, Mark is passionate about the future role of the profession. I warmly congratulate Mark on being named this year’s FAAA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year.”

The FAAA Adviser of the Year Award (sponsored by Zurich) was presented to Christine Swanson of Prominent Financial Services in South Australia. Ms Swanson is the senior financial adviser and director of Prominent Financial Services and started her career in 1987. The judges were impressed with Christine’s great dedication and advocacy for the profession, purpose-built business practices around the client journey, and overall contribution to the financial advice profession.

The winner of the FAAA Professional Practice of the Year Award is Boutique Advisers Private Wealth in WA, with managing director Gary Hasler CFP® accepting the award. The firm has been operating since 1991 and joined the FAAA Professional Practice Program in 2012.  The judges commented on Boutique Advisers’ sustained contribution to the profession and the broader community, as well as the practice’s ongoing investment in upskilling and developing their team.

Kelly King, director and senior wealth adviser of Iconic Wealth in WA, has taken out the FAAA Inspire Women – Excellence in Advice Award (sponsored by TAL). She founded Iconic Wealth in 2002 with the goal of delivering technically excellent, deeply personal advice that aligns financial strategy with clients’ life goals.  The judges noted Ms King’s strong advocacy for females in financial advice and the way she leverages all opportunities to promote this, as well as her commitment to female causes, including helping to build a female business community and through support of a crisis accommodation charity.

The FAAA Gen Next Rising Star of the Year is Aayush Sharma from Frost Financial Services in NT. The award recognises members in the first four years of practice in the profession or first six years of employment within the advice sector. Mr Sharma joined the firm in 2021 and has a bachelor of accounting with a major in financial planning. The judges noted that he exemplifies the core values of the FAAA—advocacy, leadership, and professional growth, and his passion and initiative make him a standout emerging adviser.

The FAAA University Student of the Year Award (sponsored by UniSuper), which recognises members who are enrolled in a financial planning related course in a tertiary institution or equivalent, was awarded to Katherine Mitterer from Queensland. Ms Mitterer has a diploma in accounting and is currently studying for her bachelor of business (financial advice) at the University of South Australia.  She describes herself as driven to help others navigate their own financial journeys with empathy and clarity. The judges were impressed not only with how passionate Ms Mitterer is about advice, but also her ability to make a career change whilst juggling a young family, online remote study and the role of President for the financial planning student society at her university.

FAAA chief executive officer Sarah Abood congratulated all this year’s award winners.

“The FAAA Awards recognise excellence in the financial advice profession and celebrate those demonstrating the highest standards of professionalism and care, and I congratulate all the winners and finalists at this year’s Awards,” she said.

“They are showcasing the positive and life-changing impact that financial advisers can have, particularly in Australia’s complex and ever-changing financial environment.

“This important recognition can’t happen without the help of our award sponsors, and we thank TAL, Zurich and UniSuper for their ongoing support and commitment to recognising excellence in our profession.”

Further quotes from sponsors of the FAAA Awards 2025 are below:

Beau Riley, General Manager – Retail Sales, TAL (sponsor of the FAAA Inspire Women – Excellence in Advice Award)

“Congratulations to Kelly King on being awarded the 2025 Inspire Women – Excellence in Advice Award. This award recognises advisers who lead with empathy, resilience and dedication, and Ms King is an outstanding example of the positive impact advice can have on clients, communities and our profession.”

Kieran Forde, Head of Adviser Channel, Zurich (sponsor of the FAAA Adviser of the Year Award)

Congratulations to Christine Swanson on this well-earned recognition. Ms Swanson’s dedication and expertise has truly set a benchmark for exceptional client outcomes. It was an honour to represent Zurich on the judging panel and witness the talent and passion displayed by Ms Swanson and all the nominees.

Andrew Gregory, Chief Advice Officer at UniSuper (sponsor of the FAAA University Student of the Year Award)

“UniSuper congratulates Katherine Mitterer on being named the 2025 FAAA University Student of the Year.  The award highlights the next generation of advice professionals who bring curiosity, integrity, and a genuine desire to make a difference. UniSuper is proud to support emerging talent and to partner with the FAAA in shaping the future of financial advice.”