The Institute of Financial Planning has announced the judges for this year's Accredited Financial Planning Firms award.
The award, known as the 'Recognising Excellence' award, is in its debut year and will recognise the best-performing firm on the register.
There are now over 50 Accredited Financial Planning Firms in the UK since the register was launched in October 2011.
Judges will be IFP President Rebecca Taylor FIFP CFP^CM, IFP board member Janet Walford, IFP education director Sue Leech and Brett Davidson from FP Advance.
Applications will be shortlisted by the judges by 1 August and three applicants will be invited for an interview with the judges in early September. The winner will be announced at the IFP's annual conference in October.
Prizes include coverage in Financial Planner magazine and Financial Planner Online, promotion of the company by the IFP, a trophy and certificate and two free passes to the Accredited Financial Planning Firms conference in 2014.
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To enter, firms should submit a written application of up to 2,500 words setting out what the firm has done in the previous 12 months and why they should win. Judges will also look at firms' business performance figures.
Firms should either choose to write about their contribution to the Financial Planning profession, innovation or service excellence.
Sue Leech, IFP education director and award judge, said: "We're really excited to launch this new award. Accredited Firms represent the leaders in the Financial Planning profession. This is not just by demonstrating excellence in process and service to clients but, most importantly, in setting the standard to which other firms will aspire.
"The winning firm will clearly show itself to be the 'best of the best' and will be a shining example of how firms can thrive despite the challenges that many advisory businesses now face."
The closing date for entries is 1 July.

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