How we work

Financial planning is a highly individual process that depends very much on the needs of each individual, family, or business. That is why we follow a strict process with the aim it enables us to ensure that we fully understand your requirements and then make practical recommendations that we can together use to build your long term programme for financial success.

Step 1

This involves an initial free, no obligation meeting, at which we can assess your requirements and you can learn about the services we offer in more detail.

At this stage, we will outline the basis of our remuneration (see “How we are paid”, below).

Step 2

At a second meeting we will undertake a detailed investigation into your personal and family (or business) circumstances so that we can build a clear picture of where you are today and what you wish to achieve. This will include:

Looking at your income and assets;
Considering your commitments and outgoings;
Evaluating your existing insurance and investment arrangements; and
Researching your attitude towards different forms of risk.

In other words, generally getting to know you.

Step 3

We will then return to our office in order to undertake a detailed analysis and research regarding your requirements and prepare an overall plan.

Step 4

We will then return to present our proposals and to agree with you the priorities for implementation.

Step 5

Once the plans are agreed we will make the necessary arrangements, guiding you through any application forms that may be required, and explaining any documents that may be provided. We will pass on the policies or contracts as they become available.

Step 6

Our service does not stop here. We will contact you regularly, in order to:

Keep you advised of developments that might be of interest to you;
Undertake periodic reviews with you of the investment you have made through us; and
Discuss your evolving requirements as circumstances change.

And, of course, we are available for you to contact us with questions you may have.

How we are paid

Traditionally, advisers have been remunerated by commission paid by the providers of investment and protection products (for example) arranged for their clients. Increasingly, however, there has been a trend toward the payment of fees, whereby an agreed amount is paid for work undertaken, irrespective of whether any plans are arranged, or not.

We are perfectly happy to work on either basis. Most clients are happy for us to be paid commission by product providers for the work we undertake.

If, however, you prefer that we are paid a fee, should where any commission be received in respect of investment, pension, or protection insurance, this will normally be offset against any fees agreed.