IIAC introduces judges for Top Under 40 Award
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Jason Pereira, partner and senior financial consultant at Toronto-based Woodgate Financial Inc., has placed first in the Americas for the 2017 Global Financial Planning Awards, Lindsay, Ont.-based PlanPlus Inc. announced on Tuesday.

This is Pereira’s second time taking home the award since previously winning in 2015. The Global Financial Awards selects top financial planners among three categories: the Americas, Asia and Europe/Australia.

Thayn Niemand, financial advisor at Verso Wealth in South Africa, was the first place winner in Asia and Ricardo van Doormalen, financial planner at Netherlands-based BLM Accountants and Adviseurs, won in the Europe/Australia category.

“When we decided to launch the PlanPlus Global Financial Planning Awards in 2013, we wanted to showcase financial planners doing professional, fiduciary-level planning for their clients and transforming the clients’ lives in the process,” says Shawn Brayman, president and CEO of PlanPlus Inc. “The response from other countries wanting to participate by running their own national competitions has been incredible.”

Competitors vying for the award must submit a written financial plan demonstrating clear delivery of financial advice and focus on the client’s best interest. The financial plan must have previously been given to a client of the advisor.

“The experience has not only brought validation and opportunity, but has also helped me refine and enhance my service offering, Pereira says, in a statement. “I encourage all planners to participate for both the experience and the opportunity to improve upon their abilities.”

Aside from global recognition, award winners will be provided an all-expenses paid trip to the 2017 FPA annual conference in Nashville, Tenn.

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