Griffith Business School

Griffith Business School academic Dr Mark Brimble will guide the growth of the financial planning profession after being selected for a newly established council of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

The FPA has announced the establishment of a Future Financial Planners Council to address the personnel shortage in the financial planning profession.

Dr Brimble was invited to be part of the Council following his work with the creation of the innovative Bachelor of Commerce (Professional) degree offered in Financial Planning and Accounting.

Dr Brimble said the new degree was established to meet both the needs of the industry and the needs of students.

"The degrees are a proactive approach to lessening the shortage of qualified financial planners and preparing students to be more job-ready," Dr Brimble said.

Through the new degrees students study over trimesters and after the first year study part-time, while completing paid industry internships part-time for the remaining two years. The students also complete numerous professional development initiatives as part of the degree.

"Already we are receiving glowing feedback from the industry on the professionalism of students and the forward thinking approach of the degree," Dr Brimble said.

"It’s a great honour to be selected on the Future Financial Planners Council and I look forward to continuing to advance the profession and working closely with industry."

FPA Chief Executive Officer Jo-Anne Bloch said financial planning was relatively young by comparison to other professions and wasn’t well known, particularly to young people considering career options.

"Most Australian Financial Services Licensees are looking for quality staff at the moment, from entry level administration through to financial planning," Ms Bloch said.

"The Council will focus on raising awareness of financial planning as an exciting, rewarding and diverse career option."

The Council’s objectives include developing FPA programs targeted at universities, vocational and other students and graduates to raise awareness, highlight career pathways and professional standards, and offer mentoring activities.

Council membership includes representatives from FPA members, financial planning students and education institutions.