Next month the IFP is launching a brand new award to identify the leading Accredited Firm of 2013. The Recognising Excellence Award is an outstanding opportunity for the winning firm to gain recognition and significantly greater brand reputation among peers and consumers alike.
It's a powerful means of motivating staff, reassuring clients and encouraging prospective clients. All Accredited Firms who have been accredited for at least six months at the date of entry will be eligible. The award will only be given to a firm which remains accredited at the time of the award.
This award will seek to identify the impact that the firm has made on the Financial Planning Profession based on their previous 12 months activity as well as an assessment of the most recent accounts/
MI regarding key business ratios, with both factors being equally weighted. The award will be judged by a panel of experts, who will look at the following criteria:
1. The impact of the Financial Planning profession will be primarily judged on one or more of the following:
a. Contribution to the Financial Planning profession
i. Building Best Practice ii. Development of consumer
awareness of Financial Planning
b. Innovation
c. Service excellence
2. Business Performance, including key ratios.
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The judges will assess each application on the basis of written submissions up to 2,500 words based on one or more of criteria under 1 (above) setting out what the firm has done over the previous 12 months and why they should win. All business figures under criteria 2 will also be required in order to review the resulting ratios.
Applications will be shortlisted by 1 August. Up to three shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview with the judging panel in early September. The winning firm will be announced at the IFP Annual Conference.
The application process will open on 3 June, closing on 1 July and firms can access the application form and full details via the IFP website. 

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