Specialist Workshops

Gen Next Workshop

From PY to Professional: The adviser journey and the commercial realities of modern advice firms

Tuesday 24 November | 1:00pm - 3:15pm

Room 219 & 220

CPD hours will be available for this workshop

Session Overview

Making the transition from Professional Year to Professional Adviser requires more than technical capability. It demands a shift in mindset, stronger commercial awareness, and an understanding of what it takes to build a successful, sustainable career in advice. In this Gen Next session, advisers at different stages of their professional journey share honest reflections on the challenges, lessons, and opportunities they've encountered along the way.

Participants will gain a clearer understanding of the commercial realities of advice businesses, the behaviours that drive career progression, the expectations business owners place on emerging advisers, and how to position themselves for long-term success in the modern advice profession.

Meet your speakers

Jayden Adams

Founder, Adams Financial Group

Jayden finished his PY in January 2023. He is the owner of Adams Financial Group, established to bring to life his long-term business vision. After nearly a decade in the Financial Planning industry, he thought it was the right time to begin the venture. In 12 months, Jayden has grown the business significantly, which now includes staff and becoming a National Award-Winning Adviser, the FAAA Gen Next Rising Star of the Year.

Jayden provides insight into approaching the professional year, how to maximise this time, building a brand and how this all benefits an adviser when looking ahead to future proof their career.

Aayush Sharma

Financial Adviser, Frost Financial Planning

Aayush Sharma is part of a new generation of financial advisers reshaping what success in advice looks like — blending technical capability with a sharp focus on growth, client engagement, and commercial impact. In his current role, he has played a direct part in driving client acquisition and revenue outcomes, while delivering strategic advice across superannuation, investment, and retirement planning.

Starting his journey as an international student, Aayush entered the profession during a period of significant regulatory and structural change. This experience has shaped his practical approach to advice — one that recognises that success as an adviser today requires more than technical knowledge; it demands the ability to communicate value, build trust and operate within a commercially viable business model.

Aayush brings a grounded, real-world perspective on the transition from Professional Year to practicing adviser, including the challenges many face around confidence, client conversations, and revenue expectations. His insights focus on what it actually takes to build momentum early in an advice career — from developing client relationships to understanding the numbers that drive a sustainable advice business.

He is actively involved with the FAAA NextGen community and has been recognised as both a finalist and winner across multiple industry awards. Through his work, speaking engagements and contribution to the profession, Aayush is committed to supporting the next generation of advisers to not only enter the industry, but to build meaningful and sustainable careers within it.

Lydia Toghill

Financial Adviser, Collins SBA Nominees Pty Ltd

Lydia Toghill is a Financial Adviser at Collins SBA, an employee-owned financial services firm based in Hobart, Tasmania. Her journey into advice is one built from the ground up, starting as a Client Services Coordinator in 2022, progressing to Paraplanner, and stepping into her Provisional Adviser role in November 2025.

This career path through the operations and technical heart of a financial planning firm before ever sitting across from a client as an adviser, gives Lydia a uniquely rounded perspective on what it takes to build a sustainable advice. She understands the business from every angle.

Lydia is a passionate member of the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA), serving on the Tasmanian Chapter committee and as a member of the FAAA Gen Next committee. She actively contributes to the profession beyond her day job by representing the profession at career expos in southern Tasmania and supporting community financial literacy initiatives that help young Australians build confidence around money before they ever need an adviser.

At FAAA Congress, Lydia offers a candid, first-hand perspective on the provisional year experience, what it really looks like to transition from paraplanner to adviser, and what emerging professionals should know about building a career in financial advice from the inside out.

Michael Baldry CFP®

Financial Adviser, BFG Financial Services

Michael has been a key member of the BFG Financial Services team since 2016, progressing through a range of roles before completing his Professional Year (PY) in 2021 and becoming a Financial Adviser. This journey through the profession has shaped his practical, client-focused approach and gave him a strong appreciation for the development of technical and professional capability over time.

Michael believes that taking small steps now creates the path to long-term financial success and enjoys partnering with clients to plan and walk that journey toward financial peace of mind.

Michael is building his own client base as a lead adviser while also working as a secondary adviser to some of the firm’s key client relationships. This provides him with exposure to a broad range of complex advice scenarios and allows him to contribute to the delivery of high-quality, consistent outcomes across the practice. In addition to his client work, he manages our client service / advice delivery teams and contributes to the operational management of the business.

Michael is passionate about the future of the financial advice profession, particularly supporting and mentoring new entrants as they transition to practising advisers. Drawing on his own experience and personal growth, he is committed to contributing to the development of the next generation of advisers and to the ongoing growth of our profession.

Azaria Bell

Financial Adviser, MBS Insurance

Azaria Bell is a Financial Adviser at MBS Insurance, specialising in personal risk insurance advice. Since completing her Professional Year in early 2022, she has built her career helping individuals, families and businesses protect their incomes, assets and long-term goals.

Her involvement with the profession began at university, when she was recognised with the FAAA University Student of the Year Award in 2017. Passionate about the future of the profession, Azaria enjoys supporting aspiring and early-career advisers as they transition into practice. Azaria has collaborated with the FAAA on a podcast series for future financial planners, sharing practical insights on the Professional Year, what to expect when entering the profession, and how to navigate the transition to becoming a financial adviser.

Alongside her client work, Azaria has contributed to industry discussions through panel events and speaking engagements, sharing perspectives on life insurance, engaging younger Australians with financial advice, and the opportunities and challenges facing the next generation of advisers.

The Financial Advice Association Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.

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