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Financial Planning Education Council (FPEC)

FPEC is an independent body chartered with raising the standard of financial planning education and promoting financial planning as a distinct learning area and a career of choice.

FPEC comprises financial planner practitioners and academics. It advises universities who are applying for FASEA accreditation of courses and provides industry support to academia, including support for academic research.

FPEC Governance

FPEC comprises academics and industry professionals. It is overseen by acting Chair Sharon Taylor, Associate Professor, Western Sydney University and provides advice to the FAAA Board.

FPEC ACTIVITIES

FPEC seeks to raise the standard of financial planning education and promote financial planning as a distinct learning area and a career of choice for new students and career changers by:

  • Driving the development of university-level financial planning programs through the provision of advice for universities undergoing FASEA accreditation, and by liaising with and assisting FASEA on educational matters.
  • Supporting structures within the university environment to build financial planning as a discipline by supporting research forums, research grants and by supporting FAAA Academic Awards.
  • Encouraging industry engagement with academia by promoting the university and industry partnerships, representing academics to regulatory bodies, supporting conferences and activities which bring academia and professional practice together.
  • Encouraging the growth of enrolments in financial planning courses by promoting financial planning as a career path to university and high school students, seeking to develop and grow scholarship funds, supporting the growth of internships and professional year placements for graduates.

FPEC Members

  • FPEC Chair: Marc Olynyk AFP® – Senior Lecturer in Financial Planning Deakin University
  • Diana Bugarcic – Commercial Manager, TAFE NSW
  • Ron McIver – Lecturer, University of South Australia
  • Professor Robert Durand – Professor, Curtin University
  • Dr Michelle Cull – Associate Dean, Western Sydney University and FPRJ Co-Editor Representative
  • Dr Kirsten McDonald – Senior Lecturer, Griffith University and FPAF Representative
  • FPEC Deputy Chair: Julian Place CFP® – FAAA Director
  • Sarah Abood – CEO, FAAA
  • Anne Palmer – Co-Head of Education and Professionalism, FAAA
  • Renae Anderson CFP® – Manager, Select Advice, UniSuper
  • Greg Cunningham CFP® – Director Cunningham Financial Services
  • Rebecca Watt CFP® – Snr Remediation Manager, WBC
FPEC active sub-committee members
  • Dr Syed Shams – Senior Lecturer, University of Southern Queensland
  • Dr Julie Knutsen – Adjunct Professor, VU Online
  • Loretta Iskra – Lecturer, University of Wollongong
  • Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman – Head of Discipline, Accounting and Finance, Australian Catholic University
  • Dr Abu Mollik – Senior Lecturer, Canberra University

FPEC Research Grants for Academics

FPEC established an annual grant scheme in 2014, which was sponsored by FPA (now the FAAA) and partners. Grants of up to $10,000 have been awarded via this program to support the development of financial planning as an academic discipline.

The grants are currently closed and the program is not being offered while we seek new sponsors. If you are interested in sponsoring the program please reach out to us via [email protected]