A: I have been an
Independent
Financial Adviser (IFA)
for over 20 years
previous to which I
was employed by the
Inland Revenue.
I
would regard myself
as an adviser who
specialises in
advising individual
rather than
corporate clients.
I
am pleased to say
that I have been
advising some of my
clients for many
years, building a
long-term
relationship through
their various life
stages.
Qualifications wise,
I have taken, and
passed, the Advanced
Financial Planning
Certificate. In
order to obtain this
qualification I
passed written
examinations in:
• Personal
Investment Planning.
• Taxation and
Trusts.
• Pensions.
I believe these
areas of study have
particular relevance
to my day to day
dealings with
clients and the
level and complexity
of advice I provide.
In 2008 I became
involved, as a
presenter, with the
Financial Services
Authority (FSA)
intitiative to help
financial awareness
in the workplace.
A: Yes
I believe it does
make a difference. I
feel it is best for
my clients and it
also makes my job so
much easier. Having
a full product range
available means that
I aim to give my
clients what I
consider to be the
most appropriate
solution given their
particular
circumstances.
I am of the opinion
that something as
important as
client’s financial
well-being deserves
both sound and
relevant advice
based on the
products available
in the whole of the
market.
Q: How does somebody find a
suitable adviser?
A: I
would suggest that a
personal
recommendation might
be the best way.
When making contact
with an adviser do
not be frightened to
ask questions about
their experience in
the areas on which
advice is required.
I believe an adviser should be not only knowledgeable but also approachable and it is on this basis that I have been advising clients over my long career.
Q: What if somebody is not sure
if they need help with their
financial planning arrangements?
A:
Make an initial
appointment with me
anyway. I am quite
happy to sit down
with a prospective
client for half an
hour or so to
discuss their
options. As there
will be no charge
for the meeting and
no obligation there
really isn’t
anything to lose.
Q: Assuming that a prospective
client can see the benefits of
independent advice and would
like you to advise them. What
happens next?
A: The
Financial Services
Authority (FSA),
which regulates
financial advice in
the UK, has drawn up
rules which mean the
potential client has
to be given certain
information before
agreeing that the
advice process can
begin.
Once I have taken
prospective clients
through this process
and explained any
options open to them
I usually get the
ball rolling by
taking details of
their existing
financial
arrangements and
financial goals and
plans for the
future.
I ask that clients
be as open and
honest as possible
when giving me this
initial information
as it is on this
that I will seek to
base my
recommendations and
ensure my advice is
tailored to their
particular
circumstances.
The second stage of
the process is to
invite the client
back to our office
to discuss my
findings and explain
my recommendations
at length.
Sometimes, in the
course of these
discussions,
client’s views
change and it
becomes clear that
my original
recommendations will
need to be amended.
However, at this
meeting we aim to
agree a course of
action, and take
into account any
agreed changes to my
recommendations.
I then usually
prepare a written
report together with
associated
documentation to
support my
recommendations.
This is then
normally presented
to the client when
we have our third
meeting.
Usually, by the
third meeting I am
able to take clients
through my final
recommendation with
a view to starting
the process to
finalise any
recommendations.
At this stage I
endeavour to explain
what can be expected
in terms of ongoing
help and service.
I prefer this
three-stage approach
as, whilst this may
be more time
consuming, as I
believe it helps to
ensure that all
parties are
comfortable with the
advice.
Of course existing
clients may only
require two meetings
as the process of
updating financial
details and goals
usually takes less
time than starting
from scratch.
Throughout all three
stages I try to
encourage clients
(whether a new or
existing) to take an
active part in
discussions
regarding their
financial planning
arrangements.
Q: What matters can you advise
upon?
A:
Whilst I prefer to
take a holistic
approach, aiming to
examine all aspects
of a client’s
financial planning
arrangements, I, of
course, realise that
sometimes clients
require advice on a
particular matter
only and therefore I
am pleased to offer
advice on the
following:
• Pension Planning
• Investments
• Inheritance tax
planning
• Life Insurance
• Income Protection
plans
• Critical Illness
Policies
• School and
University Fees
planning
I hope that I can
build a long-term
relationship
with my clients, as
I believe this is
the bedrock of
financial advice.
If prospective
clients would like
to email or
telephone me I would
be more than happy
to talk
them through the
services we offer.
Carlton Independent Financial Advisers
Ltd is not
responsible for the content of external websites.
Carlton Independent Financial Advisers
Ltd is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
Carlton Independent Financial Advisers Ltd is entered on the FSA
register (http://www.fsa.gov.uk/register/)
under reference 227534.
The guidance and/or advice contained within the website is subject
to the UK regulatory regime and is therefore primarily targeted at
customers in the UK.
