Ascor Independent Wealth Managers, a boutique financial planning firm, has been awarded the prestigious FPI Professional Practice of the Year title by the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa (FPI). This award, presented every two years, recognises Ascor’s excellence in delivering ethical, client-centric, and innovative financial planning services, including its specialised family office offering.

“This award exemplifies our team's commitment to providing exceptional financial planning services grounded in integrity and diligence,” stated Wouter Fourie, CEO of Ascor. “We are privileged to receive this recognition from the FPI and will continue striving to advance the standards of professional financial planning in South Africa.”

What It Takes to Become an FPI Approved Professional Practice®

To qualify as an FPI Approved Professional Practice®, a firm must:

• Have financial planning as its core business, with a documented process aligned to the FPI’s Practice Standards.
• Demonstrate fiduciary responsibility and a holistic planning philosophy.
• Have at least two key individuals who hold the CFP® designation.
• Employ at least two full-time financial planners, with at least 50% holding the CFP® designation and another 25% on the pathway to becoming CFP® designated professionals.
• Uphold the FPI Code of Ethics and Practice Standards, incorporating the Rules of Professional Conduct.

Criteria for Winning the FPI Professional Practice of the Year Award

The award is presented every two years at the FPI Annual Convention Gala Dinner. The selection process includes:

• Desktop Audit – Evaluating compliance, ethics, and professional standards.
• Site Visit – Assessing operational excellence, client service, and team collaboration.
• Final Evaluation – A panel of FPI executives and CFP® professionals scores each practice based on:
  
  • Holistic financial planning approach
  • Practice management capabilities
  • Innovation and professionalism
  • Contribution to the financial planning profession and public awareness

Services Offered by Ascor Independent Wealth Managers

• Comprehensive financial planning (retirement, estate, investment)
• Family office services for high-net-worth individuals and business owners
• Deceased estate administration
• Tax planning and registered tax practitioner services
• Audit and assurance services
• Accounting and payroll services
• Company secretarial services
• Lifestyle financial planning focused on long-term client wellbeing

All financial planners at Ascor are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals, ensuring the highest level of expertise and ethical standards.

Thought Leadership

Ascor’s commitment to retirement excellence is reflected in the bestselling book, The Ultimate Guide to Retirement in South Africa, co-authored by Wouter Fourie and Bruce Cameron. Now in its third edition, the book offers practical, up-to-date guidance on retirement planning, taxation, healthcare, and estate planning.