What does a financial adviser do?

As a financial adviser, my primary role is to help clients navigate the often complex world of personal finance. Whether you're planning for retirement, saving for your child's education, or looking to invest your money, my job is to provide you with the guidance and expertise you need to make informed decisions.

But what does this actually entail? Let's break it down.

Understanding your financial goals

The first step in my process is to understand your financial goals. This involves a detailed discussion about your current financial situation, your future aspirations, and any specific needs or concerns you may have. Are you looking to save for your children’s future? Do you want to ensure you have enough savings for retirement? Are you interested in investing in the stock market? By understanding your goals, I can tailor my advice to suit your unique circumstances.

Creating a financial plan

Once I have a clear understanding of your goals, the next step is to create a comprehensive financial plan. This plan will outline the steps you need to take to help achieve your objectives. It may include recommendations on budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt. The plan is designed to be flexible, allowing for adjustments as your circumstances change over time. We can also discuss if our Ongoing Advice Service may be suitable for you. If it is, we will meet regularly to monitor your financial plan to ensure that it remains aligned with your goals and reflects your changing circumstances.

Investment advice

One of the key areas where I provide support is in investment advice. This involves helping you choose the right investment products to match your willingness to take risk and financial goals. Whether you're interested in stocks, bonds, or other investment vehicles, I can provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions.

Retirement planning

Planning for retirement is a key aspect of financial advice. I help clients understand how much they need to save to maintain their desired lifestyle in retirement. This includes advice on tax-efficient savings options and strategies to maximise your retirement income.

Tax planning

Effective tax planning can make a significant difference to your financial health. I provide advice on how to structure your finances in a tax-efficient manner, ensuring you take advantage of available tax reliefs and allowances. This can include advice on ISAs, pensions, and other tax-efficient investment products.

Estate planning

Estate planning is another important service I offer. This involves helping you plan for the distribution of your assets after your death. I can provide advice on trusts and inheritance tax planning to help ensure that your estate is managed according to your wishes and in the most tax-efficient way possible. We do not provide cash management, lending, will writing, power of attorney, or estate or trust administration services, but I can introduce you to specialists in these areas if required.

Providing peace mind

Ultimately, my goal as a financial adviser is to help provide you with peace of mind. By helping you make informed financial decisions, I aim to reduce your financial stress and give you confidence in your financial future. Whether you're just starting out on your financial journey or looking to optimise your existing plans, I'm here to provide the support and guidance you need.

I hope this gives you a clear understanding of what a financial adviser does and how we could help you with your financial plan. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your financial situation in more detail, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We'll begin with a free, no obligation conversation to understand if our service is right for you. There are no hidden fees or charges, and you’ll only pay if you choose to go ahead with the recommendations in your personalised financial plan.