Our Process

Initial Meeting 

To fully understand you and your circumstances we have found that the best way to start is with an informal discussion.  If we don’t think we can assist we will be happy to refer you to someone who can.  If we can help, and you agree, we will arrange to meet again for a more comprehensive review. 

Discovery Meeting 

A discovery meeting will expand the knowledge we have already obtained to ensure that the advice we give is suitable for you.  Unless instructed by you to focus on specific areas, we will give careful consideration to all aspects of your personal finances, which might include your business aspirations.  Our approach is designed to discover what your financial vision is, the best means of achieving it and any barrier which might prevent you from reaching your goals.   Working with you to achieve what you want will involve us asking you some searching and sometimes difficult questions.  For example: 

·         What are your career aspirations and what impact or benefit will these have on your future objectives?

·         How much of your income do you spend at present, and how much income do you think you will need in retirement?

·         What concerns do you have when investing in the market?

·         Are you expecting any inheritances in the foreseeable future? 

These questions may seem intrusive; however, it is so important at this stage that your Financial Planner gets to know every aspect of your personal and financial circumstances to enable them to appreciate your objectives for the future.  It is only when this full understanding has taken place that they will consider evaluating your current portfolio of investments and will ask questions such as the following: 

·         What do you need from your investments?

·         What is an acceptable rate of return on your capital?

·         How long an investment return are you prepared to consider?

·         How much risk are you prepared to take? 

In our experience such questions are frequently overlooked but they are an important first step in the Financial Planning relationship and provide an opportunity for your Financial Planner to really get to know you, your family, how you feel about a wide range of issues and your aims for the future. 

When your Financial Planner has gained all of the knowledge and information required the process will begin of analysing the gap between where your finances are going and where you want them to be.  This analysis will determine whether or not your existing plan is suitable bearing in mind your aims, objectives and attitudes to risk. 

Strategy Presentation: a bespoke financial plan 

We will work with you to identify the best strategy for you, and shall then produce a bespoke financial plan confirming what the strategy is and explaining how we intend to reach your desired outcome.  This report is checked and verified by our team of compliance experts and details the suitability, features and benefits of the recommended strategy.  Your Financial Planner will take the time to discuss the strategy with you to ensure you fully understand all aspects of it before taking any action. Although producing and delivering a financial plan is tailored differently for each client, our team of Financial Planners follow an established process to ensure all our clients receive a consistent service.