The new professional association, which is still in the planning phase, is advertising for a chief executive.

“Given the importance of this role in driving direction and delivering on the key objectives of advocacy, standards and promotion, we have appointed an external consultant, Jackson Stone, to ensure a robust, professional and transparent recruitment process.  We are anticipating strong interest in this role both from within and external to the founding bodies,” it said in an email to stakeholders.

The process of looking for a chief executive is expected to take two to three months. An appointment should be announced by May 15.

PAA chief executive Rod Severn said he would apply for the role. "Of course I am!"

His counterpart at the IFA, Fred Dodds, agreed. “We’ve been on the journey so long,” he said. “If you’ve spent all this time building a car why wouldn’t you want to go for a drive in it?”

He said he did not know yet where the new association would be based. The advertisement for the role says it can be based in either Auckland or Wellington.

Severn is Auckland-based while Dodds is in Wellington.

Dodds said it was possible that the association could have a presence in both cities for a while.

David Yates, who heads up NZFAA, the third party to the Financial Advice NZ establishment process, was approached about his intentions for the role.

The ad for the role says the new association will have a combined membership of 1800 and will build and promote the benefits of sound, strong professional financial advice.

“As inaugural chief executive, you will build a credible strategy and vision supportive of Financial Advice NZ evolving into a leading professional body. You will establish, develop and manage relationships across a broad range of stakeholders against a background of complexity, risk and opportunity, driven by regulatory and technological advances, and membership needs.

A true leader, you will be comfortable working across a broad spectrum from policy development to strategic and operational execution. You will be practised in dealing with ambiguity and a capable and effective communicator and spokesperson, comfortable in leading debate, resilient and attuned to the nuanced expectations of your stakeholders including the public.”

The successful candidate was likely to have a senior background in financial services, it said. Applications close March 11.