Typically, our personal Financial Planning process consists of the following six steps:
We offer you an initial consultation at which we will obtain a high-level understanding of your needs and objectives. There is no charge for this meeting – it is our investment in what will hopefully be a long-term relationship. We can then ascertain whether we can add value in respect of your financial planning and what type of service and advice would be most appropriate. We will clearly explain and document the services that we will provide and clarify both our and your responsibilities during the personal Financial Planning process. We will also agree how and when we will be paid.
We will ask for information about your financial situation and help you define your personal and financial goals and objectives, understand the time frame for results and discuss, if relevant, how you feel about risk. We will ask for your co-operation in gathering all the necessary information together before giving advice as needed. The more accurate this information is, the more appropriate and relevant our advice will be.
We will then analyse the information to assess your current situation and determine what you must do to meet your goals. Depending on what services you have asked for, this could include analysing assets, liabilities and cash flow, current insurance coverage, investments or tax strategies.
We will offer Financial Planning recommendations that address your goals and objectives, based on the information you have provided. We will normally run through the recommendations with you to help you understand them so that you can make informed decisions. We will listen to any concerns you may have and revise the recommendations as appropriate.
We will agree with you how the recommendations will be carried out. We may implement the recommendations for you, coordinating the process with you and other professionals such as lawyers, accountants or stockbrokers. Alternatively, depending on the service agreed and complexity of the advice, you may decide to implement the recommendations on your own.
We will discuss if you would like us to continue to work with you to monitor your progress towards your goals and objectives. If so, we will periodically meet to review their situation and adjust the recommendations, if needed, as your life, circumstances and the economic climate change.