Article brought by Dr Jim Taggart OAM

Jim's career began as a Teacher and a Deputy Principal of a Catholic High School. Since entering the field of financial planning in 1987, he has successfully developed his business to service nearly 6,000 clients in which his organisations provides advice on Financial Planning, General Insurance, Finance & Leasing. The Taggart Group Pty Ltd runs the General Insurance business, and hold an AFS Licence as General Insurane Brokers. Taggart Nominees Pty Ltd is an AFS Licensee and runs the Financial Planning and Life Insurance Broker business.

Also during this time Jim has completed another Masters Degree in Commerce, majoring in Financial Planning to add to his other qualifications of Diploma of Teaching, Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts from Macquarie University. Jim had completed his Doctorate in Business Administration, and also holds the FChFP designation awarded by the Association of Financial Advisers.

In the field of writing Jim has written two books while he was teaching with his senior geography text winning a geography award. In recent times Jim has written many articles for industry publications as well as newsletter articles for various networking associations.

Jim became a CFP with the Financial Planning Association of Australia in 2002, a desingation he still holds. Jim is also QPIB qualified, being the highest in his profession for General Insurance in Australia. Jim is the recent past National President of the Association of Financial Advisers [AFA] ending his tenure in October 2010, and was the NSW/ACT Director from 2006 - 2008. 

Jim has lived in the hills area at Kellyville for over 28 years. Jim has been actively involved in community activities such as: -

• Salvation Army
• Vice President of Regional Chamber of Commerce 1999 - 2000
• Past board member of Gilroy College and Marion College
• Past Chairperson and current member of the Hills Excellence in Business Committee 355 Management Committee
• Past Chairman of the Advisory Council for TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute

Jim is married with four children, and conducts a very active and preferred insurance/finance and financial planning practice.

For many years Jim has performed community services in diverse areas and was Chairman for the Red Shield Appeal in Western Sydney(past 7 years). Jim was the Chairman for the Olympic Fundraising Committee for the Western Region.

Jim has been fortunate to speak at offshore conferences in the areas of Financial Planning and Motivation in such countries as Switzerland, New Zealand and U.S.A.

In November 2005 Jim was awarded the 2005 Zurich / Association of Financial Advisers [AFA] Adviser of the Year Award. In January 2006 Jim was presented with the 2006 Baulkham Hills Shire Australia Day Community Service Award.  In January 2010 Jim was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2010 Australia Day Honours.