IFPA shieldINSTITUTE OF
FINANCIAL
PROFESSIONALS
AUSTRALIA

2026 Awards- Meet the Finalists

Meet the 2026 Award Finalists

SMSF Practice of the Year

Build MyWealth

Build MyWealth is a Melbourne financial advice practice led by Sangram Rana. Bringing financial advice, accounting and tax expertise together, the team helps professionals, business owners and families protect their income, grow wealth and plan for retirement, estates and succession.

Saikal-Skea Independent Financial Advice

Saikal-Skea Independent Financial Advice is a Canberra-based practice founded by Andrew Saikal-Skea in 2021. It is one of a small number of practices in Australia that can legally call itself independent. The team specialises in SMSFs and defined benefit schemes, particularly for ADF and APS members, along with complex structures and cross-border advice.

TAG Financial Services

TAG Financial Services is an Australian-based specialist SMSF administration, advisory and audit practice committed to helping trustees and professional advisers navigate an increasingly complex superannuation environment. Over the past year, TAG has been at the forefront of industry discussions surrounding superannuation reform, contributing to Treasury consultations, educating accountants and advisers on practical implementation challenges, and helping clients make informed decisions before opportunities are lost. Through trustee education programs, white-label SMSF services and close collaboration with professional partners, TAG extends its impact well beyond its own client base. Combining technical expertise with practical implementation, TAG is helping shape a stronger and more informed SMSF profession.

Financial Services Practice of the Year

Find Wealth / Find Group

Find Wealth, part of the Find Group, is a Victorian-based financial advice business supporting clients across Australia. Its team helps people make informed decisions about superannuation, retirement, insurance and broader financial planning, with a focus on clear education, practical guidance and value-for-money service. The wider Find Group also provides accounting, aged care and community support, giving clients access to connected help as their needs change. By putting service before product sales and offering phone, online and face-to-face appointments, Find Wealth makes professional advice more accessible and focused on what matters to each client.

Generation Private Wealth

Generation Private Wealth is a Gold Coast-based financial planning firm that has built its reputation on putting clients first. Supported by a dedicated team of advisers and support staff, the business focuses on helping individuals, families and business owners make confident financial decisions and achieve their long-term goals.

The firm is particularly proud of the rela8onships it has built with its clients, with more than 90% of new business coming from client referrals. This ongoing trust and advocacy reflects Generation Private Wealth's commitment to personalised advice, exceptional service and genuine long-term relationships.

TAG Financial Services

TAG Financial Services is an Australian-based specialist SMSF administration, advisory and audit practice committed to helping trustees and professional advisers navigate an increasingly complex superannuation environment. Over the past year, TAG has been at the forefront of industry discussions surrounding superannuation reform, contributing to Treasury consultations, educating accountants and advisers on practical implementation challenges, and helping clients make informed decisions before opportunities are lost. Through trustee education programs, white-label SMSF services and close collaboration with professional partners, TAG extends its impact well beyond its own client base. Combining technical expertise with practical implementation, TAG is helping shape a stronger and more informed SMSF profession.

Australian Financial Professional of the Year

Paul Richardson portrait

Paul Richardson

Generation Private Wealth

Paul Richardson is Director and Financial Planner at Generation Private Wealth. He has worked in financial services since 2004 and has provided financial planning advice since 2009. He holds a Bachelor of Business, an Advanced Diploma of Financial Services and SMSF accreditation.

Paul is passionate about helping clients make sense of their finances and feel confident about their future. His approach is practical, personal and focused on building long-term relationships. He works with clients across all areas of their financial lives, including wealth creation, superannuation, retirement planning, investments and personal insurance. Paul has built Generation Private Wealth around genuine client relationships, clear advice and a strong commitment to acting in clients’ best interests. He also values contributing to the local community and supporting the ongoing development of the financial advice profession.

Mariya Snegovaya

Dorset Wealth Management

Maria Snegovaya is a Wealth Partner (Financial Planning) and SMSF Specialist Advisor at Dorset Wealth Management, with experience in the financial advice industry since 2019. With a background in both financial planning and law, Maria takes a holistic and personalised approach to advice, helping clients make informed decisions across superannuation, investments, retirement, insurance, and wealth creation.

Maria is passionate about making financial advice accessible and easy to understand. She believes in empowering clients through education, simplifying complex financial concepts and building trusted, long-term relationships that give people the knowledge and confidence to take control of their financial future.

Beyond her client work, Maria is committed to improving financial literacy and regularly shares educational content through her Smart Money Maria platform on TikTok and Instagram. She also participates in podcast and radio appearances and other community initiatives, including delivering financial literacy education presentation to high school students.

Michelle Griffiths

TAG Financial Services

Michelle Griffiths is a Co-Founder, Partner and Senior Financial Adviser at TAG Financial Services. As both a Chartered Accountant and financial adviser, she brings a unique combination of tax, accounting, superannuation and wealth-planning expertise to complex client and business decisions. Michelle is widely recognised for her ability to translate technical legislative change into practical strategies for clients and professional advisers alike. Over the past year, she has been at the forefront of industry engagement on Division 296 and broader tax reform, contributing to Treasury consultations, industry education, professional forums and practitioner training. Through her leadership, advocacy and commitment to collaboration, Michelle continues to help shape better outcomes for clients, accountants and the financial services profession.