Count handed out its 2007 awards for excellence at the firm's annual conference in Perth yesterday, based on performance during the 2005-2006 financial year.
Western Australia's Lawrence Business Management won top wealth protection adviser of the year for the second year running.
Victoria's Kidman Partners took out the award for top leasing writer after the firm wrote $4.5 million in finance deals, an 18 per cent increase on the previous year.
The top residential lender based on volume of loans was Queensland-based Specialist Business Solutions. The finalists in this category wrote over $10 million in mortgage loans.
Victoria-based Etaxation Accountants and Financial Planners won the award for the top residential lending adviser based on the number of loans.
One of Australia's largest independent dealer groups, Count had $700 million in residential loans during the last financial year, an increase of 21 per cent.
The top investment adviser award went to Sydney-based Cartright Brown and Company Financial Advisers.
Count's funds under management (FUM) through its approved platform was $5.43 billion in the last financial year, an increase of 36 per cent.
The outstanding achievement award for a practice in its first year of membership went to long-established Armidale accounting and planning firm Roberts & Morrow Financial Services.
The outstanding achievement award for a practice in its third year of Count membership went to Taylors Accountants and Advisers from Victoria. The group had previously held its own financial services licence.
The award for financial planning excellence went to Victorian practice Coffey Hunt. The six partner firm has grown rapidly through advising self-managed super fund clients and has placed $70 million FUM in Count's recommended platforms. The firm has a target of achieving growth of $15 million FUM per year.
The support specialist of the year award went to WA's Helen Tasker of Tony Tilenni & Associates.
Count also recognised advisers that have achieved high levels of competence in the firm's new grading system, which was introduced last year.
Grade Three advisers had to undertake a 90-minute exam and produce a sample statement of advice. All have completed certified financial planner (CFP) certification or a graduate diploma of financial planning through education provider Finsia.
