Author Annie Lillico Lewis

Kearney Group is pleased to announce that the firm has again been awarded top honours by its licensee, Securitor Financial Group, who has named the firm Victoria’s 2014 Practice of the Year.

The award was announced during today’s Securitor Professional Development Day in Melbourne. It follows Kearney Group’s National Practice of the Year title in 2011, Victorian Practice of the Year awards in 2012, 2011 and 2008, and an Adviser of the Year win for the firm’s CEO, Paul Kearney, in 2010.

Senior Financial Planners, Nga Vu and Andrew Mackenzie, are also to be congratulated for their outstanding efforts over the past year.  Their success resulted in a Rising Star nomination for Nga, and both an Adviser of the Year and Insurance Adviser of the Year nomination for Andrew.

Big change for 2014 Practice of the Year

“This is an extremely exciting time,” said Paul Kearney. “We’ve had a very busy twelve months and have made some significant changes to both the way we do business and how our clients are able to engage with us.”

One notable change at the firm is the introduction of MyKearney Online, a web portal which allows clients to securely send and receive sensitive financial information. Moreover, with integrated eSignature technology, users can also digitally sign tax returns, financial plan directives, loan applications and other time-sensitive documents at the click of a button.

Other landmarks of the past year include the firm’s move to electronic Portfolio Reports and introduction of the Kearney Group’s Welcome Home Loan service. Internally, the practice has also developed a real-time business reporting system which allows employees to track performance against targets, view historical trends and assess future performance using complex forward projections.

“The team should be very proud of what they have achieved this year,” said Kearney. “It’s no small feat to adjust to all that change. So it’s really motivating when our clients, licensees and regulators recognise the value of our efforts.”

Rigorous criteria, first-class outcomes

Practice of the Year nominees are assessed against a set of rigorous criteria and each nominee is required to demonstrate a commitment to best practice, ongoing business development, diversified revenue streams and first-class outcomes for clients.

“The Group’s recent success is credit to the firm’s investment ethos,” said Kearney. “Success requires unwavering focus on investing both time and money into client relationships, a high quality service offering, cutting-edge business systems, and training and growth opportunities across the practice.”

Kearney Group’s passion for continuous improvement isn’t restricted to business operations though. The Group continues to actively encourage volunteerism and service in the wider community. The firm is now in its 9th year as pro-bono advisers to Ovarian Cancer Australia and Paul Kearney is commencing his 8th year as a Director of the renowned social enterprise, The Big Issue.

In the running for national award

As 2014 Practice of the Year for Victoria, Kearney Group is now in the running for the National Practice of the Year.

The National winner will be announced during the annual Securitor Convention in Hobart on April 11.