The Financial Planning Academics Forum of Australia Joins Academy of Financial Services

• Brisbane, August 15 —The Financial Planning Academics Forum (FPAF) announced that its members have voted to become the Australia-New Zealand chapter of the Academy of Financial Services. This significant decision marks a pivotal moment in both organizations’ commitment to advancing the financial planning profession and fostering international collaboration.

  With an overwhelming majority of votes in favor, the forum members have shown strong support for this strategic move. This transition will strengthen ties with the global financial planning community and provide enhanced opportunities for cross-border collaboration in research and teaching innovation.

  The Australia-New Zealand chapter will continue to uphold the forum's tradition of excellence in financial planning education and research and its role in representing its members with government, commercial, academic and community stakeholders. Aligning with the Academy of Financial Services allows FPAF to leverage a broader network of international academics, practitioners, and thought leaders to enrich academic programs and industry partnerships.

  “From humble beginnings in 2011 when 5 Australian academics at an FPA conference thought it would be useful to create a collaborative forum for academics, practitioners and professional bodies, FPAF has transformed to being part of an international academy in 2024. Dr Elisabeth Sinnewe, my Co-Chair, and I are very excited to lead FPAF into this next stage where we can enjoy the best of FPAF and AFS while maintaining the unique voices of each of the organizations,” said Forum Co-Chair, Associate Professor Kirsten MacDonald.

  The Academy of Financial Services (AFS) is a non-profit, volunteer academic association established in 1985 in the USA that has published the peer-reviewed Financial Services Review (FSR) since 1991. AFS has always had a global perspective, a Vice President International, and its annual conference has included academics from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and more.

  “AFS is thrilled by the decision of the members of FPAF to merge,” said Shawn Brayman, current President of AFS and himself a Canadian. “Our combined knowledge and resources will allow us to advance globally shared financial planning research, teaching and regulatory insights while maintaining a focus on issues unique to a country or region. We are hoping this will be a model for other country-specific chapters where there is a critical mass of academic interest.”   

  Key Objectives of the Australia-New Zealand Chapter will include:

  1. Enhance Research and Collaboration: Foster joint research initiatives and collaborative projects with international partners to address global challenges in financial planning.
  2. Professional Development: Provide members access to international conferences, workshops, and training programs to stay at the forefront of industry developments.
  3. Knowledge Sharing: Facilitate the exchange of best practices, innovative teaching methods, and cutting-edge research through webinars, publications, and academic forums.
  4. Student Engagement: Offer students unique international exposure and learning opportunities, preparing them for a globalized financial services industry.

  “AFS and FPAF recognize the tremendous efforts and commitment of certifying and membership bodies for financial planners worldwide to raise the bar for the profession through research, teaching and regulation,” said Shawn Brayman. “We expect that a more coordinated global academic community will help us achieve our mutual objectives.”

  The transition process will commence immediately, with further updates and details to be communicated to FPAF and AFS members and partners in the coming weeks.

  For more information, please contact:

• Associate Professor Kirsten MacDonald, Co-Chair FPAF & VP Communications of AFS at k.macdonald@griffith.edu.au
• Shawn Brayman, President, AFS at President@academyfinancial.org