What we do
We’re committed to the consistent delivery of a 6 stage ADVICE process reflecting the best practices of the modern, professional financial planner. We make no apology for the simplicity of what is a logical sequence developed over 30+ years experience – we just know it works!
What you can expect from us . .
- Acknowledgement of your initial areas of concern (and asking you to prepare for a meeting).
- Discussion and deciding on your priorties during our initial (fact find) meeting.
- Viewing and visualising follows as we take time to research all possible solutions available in the marketplace.
- Issuing an initial report detailing our advice and recommendations is normally stage 4.
- Clarifying our advice, making any changes and agreeing an action plan to implement solutions.
- Engaging in an appropriate level of on-going service concludes the ADVICE process.
The ADVICE process, together with the 5 key financial planning areas is illustrated below.
Stage 1
Acknowledge and prepare
We will acknowledge your initial areas of interest and concern.
We will usually ask you to prepare for a meeting by providing personal details and financial information (we’ll record this on what we refer to as a ‘Fact Find’ – sometimes paper based and increasingly on-line).
This information helps to ensure the time we spend together is focused on understanding your circumstances, needs & objectives, and enables you to gain maximum benefit from our meeting.
All information provided is of course treated with absolute confidentiality.
Stage 2
Discuss and decide on your priorities
Prior to advice, we need to take reasonable steps to ‘get to know you’.
During these exploratory (fact find) meeting(s) our primary objectives are: –
- To understand your circumstances
- Prioritise your financial planning needs, and
- Agree your attitude to any risks involved.
We’ll explain the range of advice & services available to you and your payment options.
As soon as possible after this initial meeting we’ll provide you with a Service & Payment Agreement detailing the work to be completed and the costs involved.
Stage 3
View and visualise all possible solutions
Prior to making specific recommendations, we’ll normally require a period of time to evaluate the ‘fact find’ information obtained.
We’ll identify & then quantify any potential shortfalls in your plans before ‘scoping out’ or visualising all possible solutions to your needs.
If it becomes apparent that a financial services product is a possible solution to your needs our research will be based on a comprehensive and fair analysis of the market.
Stage 4
Issue initial report
Having completed our research, we’ll then prepare a detailed ‘Suitability Report’ to explain our advice and recommendations.
Under most circumstances, this will be sent for your perusal prior to our second meeting thereby allowing you time to read, consider and prepare any questions regarding the advice provided.
Stage 5
Clarify advice and create action plan
Explaining our advice & recommendations will normally involve a 2nd meeting.
The priority is to ensure our recommendations clearly focus on solving the financial planning needs established previously.
When making our recommendations we understand that you may accept all of them, some of them or, indeed none of them. As such, there is no obligation on your behalf to purchase any products or accept any of the advice provided.
Stage 6
Engage in appropriate on-going service
Understanding your requirements for ‘on-going service’ is another key element of our advice process.
We understand the type of service required by clients will change as they progress through different stages of their life. We’ve therefore developed different service propositions to reflect such evolving needs and these are outlined in our financial planning pages.
Keeping you at the centre of all we do!
Whilst explaining this six stage ADVICE process, we do recognise the need for flexibility and the ability to adapt the process to suit a client’s particular circumstances at any one time. Whenever a change in our approach is necessary we will ensure that you are aware of the possible impact on the advice you ultimately receive.
Please be aware:
When providing advice we will always seek to balance the intended benefits with any potential downsides and risks, for example:
The value of pensions and investments and the income they produce can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested.