Katherine Cramsie
2005 National Winner and NSW State Winner

Cramsie began her career in financial services with accountancy in mind. I was studying accountancy at university and was seeking a part-time job to give me office experience. I was mainly concentrating on accounting firms, but walked into Associated Planners and they said they would hire me as a paraplanner.

"Associated Planners was a great beginning to my career - the adviser I worked for was very encouraging and provided me with opportunities to learn and develop. However, I had a thirst for technical knowledge and felt I wanted to learn about a more diverse range of client scenarios.

"This led me to a position as a paraplanner at Mercer Wealth Solutions. Mercer offered a larger team environment where I was able to discuss and brainstorm strategies with colleagues and work on a broader range of clients needed more varied strategies.

"One of the things I place importance on is developing Statements of Advice that are personally tailored to client's circumstances. I am also dedicated and enthusiastic about mentoring other paraplanners. I am often a point of call for paraplanning queries nationally, assisting paraplanners to develop their skills in areas such as building confidence in face-to-face contact with clients, Visiplan modelling, dealing with difficult client situations, and developing presentation skills.

"Recently I have been thrilled to be involved in devising a proposed mentoring program for FPA members to satisfy the experience requirements to achieve their CFP designation.

Scott Keeley
South Australia State Winner

Scott Keeley decided he had to make a career change into financial planning by the age of 30, or remain a public servant forever. He joined a small financial planning practice in Adelaide after 13 years at Centrelink.

It was the hardest decision I had ever made, but I wanted to make a change by the time I was 30, he says. I was enjoying what I was doing at Centrelink, but I was only able to give information, not advice. I thought I could do much more and this led me to paraplanning."


Lea Kerry Clothier
Queensland / NT State Winner

Working with the adviser to discuss a client's financial needs proves two heads are better than one, says paraplanner Lea Kerry Clothier.

I feel that working with an adviser in the strategy development stage helps us to establish the most efficient strategies to enhance the client's position and enable them to meet their personal and financial goals and objectives,she says. It is very gratifying and motivating to help clients meet these goals.


Katie Chessum
Victoria / TAS State Winner

Having a passion for people and helping clients with their lifestyle is why Katie Chessum joined the financial services industry.

"I completed my Bachelor of Commence in 1997 and then completed the Securities Institute Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance & Investment. I have been an authorised representative since mid-2001. But unlike many of my colleagues, I want to stay a paraplanner. I really believe there is a career in paraplanning."


Stephen Henshall
Western Australia State Winner

Stephen Henshall's route into paraplanning came through working in superannuation administration at William Mercer. The change, however, showed him the difference between handling fund members' immediate needs and providing long-term strategies for meeting clients' financial goals.

"I worked as a corporate superannuation fund administrator for over seven years before being offered the opportunity to switch to paraplanning at Mercer Wealth Solutions in Perth. It was the most natural progression as I had worked with all the people in the financial planning division over the years."