StatePlus named FPA Professional Practice

Formerly known as State Super Financial Services, the business rebranded to StatePlus in October as part of a wider "transformation" of its financial advice offering to clients.

"Participating in the program is a vital piece of the bigger picture we're building: one in which our trusted, highly qualified advisers become the first port of call for clients with a variety of financial needs," StatePlus general manager of marketing, product and advice Jason Andriessen said.

"This is about a commitment to higher standards, to delivering skilled, ethical and highly effective financial advice that supports clients in fulfilling their retirement and other life goals."

He added: "It [also] builds on other major initiatives to support our planners in delivering [advice] for their clients. That includes our recent $50 million investment in a new digital business model that supports consistency, client convenience, quality and predictability in advice."

More than half of StatePlus advisers hold the Certified Financial Planner designation, and the firm said all planners will carry the designation by 2019.

"We want to build and be a part of a professional community in which we hold each other to the highest ethical and professional standards," Mr Andriessen said.

Earlier this year, research house Mercer's financial planning division was also named as a FPA Professional Practice and was the first salaried advice business to be accepted.

FPA chief executive Mark Rantall said the number of FPA Professional Practices is continuing to grow around Australia.

"It is important that we recognise leaders who are raising the bar on education and professional standards," he said.