FAQs

Yes, we can advise on long-term care and later-life planning, and two of our advisers hold the relevant qualifications. We will make sure you work with an adviser who is qualified in this area.

We keep our fees under review against industry averages and client feedback, and we aim to remain competitive. The exact comparison depends on the services and level of ongoing support you choose.

We benchmark our fees against industry averages each year and use ongoing client feedback to check that clients feel they receive good value. Some clients also compare us alongside other firms, which helps put fees and service into context.

No, our services are not currently subject to VAT. If this changes, we would reflect it clearly in our pricing and paperwork.

Our ongoing advice fee is charged as a percentage of assets, with a sliding scale that reduces as the amount we manage increases. We review this to keep fees fair and aligned to the work involved.

The cost of a financial plan depends on the type of advice and the amount of assets involved. We will set out the charges in advance before any work begins.

We do not have a single minimum fee, as charges depend on the work involved, from pension consolidation to complex estate planning. We will confirm the fees up front once we understand the scope of work.

Our charges are split into an initial fee for producing and implementing your financial plan, and an advice fee for reviews and ongoing support. We explain fees clearly in advance, so you understand what you pay and what it covers.

Yes, your first meeting is at our expense. You will not pay any fees until we have discussed your needs, agreed the scope of work, and explained our charges.

Yes, we advise on protection such as life insurance, critical illness cover, and income protection where it is relevant to your plan. We discuss what would happen if something unexpected occurred and recommend cover that fits your needs and budget.

Yes, ISA investing is a core part of our advice and is considered within your wider financial plan where appropriate. ISAs are investments, so the value can go down as well as up.

Yes, we have extensive experience in estate planning and Inheritance Tax planning, often involving more than one generation where appropriate. Any tax planning depends on individual circumstances, and tax rules can change.

Our fees are set out in our Terms of Business booklet, which we provide when we begin discussing work with you in detail. We explain charges in writing before any advice is implemented.

We do not advise directly on defined benefit or final salary pension transfers. Where a transfer assessment is needed, we work with a specialist third-party firm for that part, and we can then provide ongoing advice once the work is complete, if appropriate.

Yes, we advise on Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), and our advisers have extensive experience in this area. SIPPs are investments, so the value can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can help you consider how an inheritance could support your goals and whether investing is appropriate. We can consider tax efficiency where relevant, but tax rules depend on your circumstances, and investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can incorporate ethical or sustainable preferences into our investment recommendations. As an independent firm, we can consider a wide range of options, and investments can go down as well as up.

We can help you understand the different ways you can take income from your pension and the tax considerations involved. Any tax planning depends on your circumstances and the rules at the time, and pension and investment values can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can gather detailed information on your pensions and help you assess whether consolidation is appropriate for your goals. Consolidating is not right for everyone, and pension and investment values can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can review your workplace pensions and help you decide how they fit into your wider plan. We do not set up pension schemes for employers; our work focuses on advice for individuals.

Yes, we regularly advise on personal pensions, and help you understand your options. Pension and investment values can go down as well as up.

No, equity release advice is not an area we cover. If you need this specialist advice, we can suggest an appropriate contact.

No, we do not advise on mortgages. If you need mortgage advice, we can suggest a specialist firm that may be able to help.

Many clients meet their financial adviser around once every 12 months, but it depends on your needs and circumstances. We agree a review schedule with you and adhere to it.

No, we do not provide financial advice for expats or non-UK residents. We focus on advising UK-based clients.

Yes, we are featured on VouchedFor, where clients can leave verified reviews. Our advisers have achieved Top Adviser recognition through client feedback.

We have been shortlisted for a number of industry awards. We are also an affiliate of the Consumer Duty Alliance, which reflects our commitment to delivering good outcomes for clients.

We run periodic client surveys, and also ask for feedback after meetings to check we are delivering a consistent service. You can also see independent feedback through our reviews on VouchedFor and Google.

Yes, there are client stories and testimonials available. You can read feedback on our website and through reviews on VouchedFor and Google.

You can check our authorisation on the FCA Register using our firm reference number 603065. The register shows our permissions and trading details.

Yes, we hold professional indemnity insurance as required for regulated advice. We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

We take personal data security seriously and use secure systems and processes to protect your information. Our privacy notice explains what data we collect, how we use it, and how we keep it secure.

We have a formal complaints process and will investigate any complaint promptly and fairly. If you are unhappy with our response, you may be able to refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Eligible investments may be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to the applicable limits, which can vary by product and provider. We can explain how FSCS protection applies to the products you use.

We do not have a set minimum, but we typically add the most value for new clients with £100,000 or more in assets. If you have less than this, we will discuss whether our service is likely to be cost-effective for you.

Yes, we often help people who have investments or pensions elsewhere, whether they have managed them themselves or are changing from another adviser. We start by understanding what you have and what you want to achieve, and investment values can go down as well as up.

Yes, we provide a client portal for valuations, secure messages, and document sharing. Access is designed to be straightforward and secure.

We work with some business owners, and many of our clients are approaching retirement, already retired, or building assets during their careers. We tailor our advice to what matters most at your stage of life.

Yes, we can support you with financial decisions after a bereavement, recognising it can feel overwhelming. We can help you take things step-by-step and build a plan that provides stability and clarity.

We do not provide tax advice or advise on the sale process itself, but we often help clients plan what to do with proceeds once a sale is completed or nearing completion. Any tax planning depends on your circumstances and the rules at the time.

Yes, we help people who have received an inheritance or a family gift and want to make it work sensibly. We take time to understand your priorities and build a plan that balances access, tax considerations, and long-term goals. Investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, we work with people approaching retirement and those already retired. We help you keep your plan on track as your needs change, and investment values can go down as well as up.

Yes, we work with company directors and self-employed clients, and we can manage investments for business owners and firms where appropriate. The planning approach depends on your goals and wider financial circumstances.

Yes, we work with clients of all ages, including those early in their careers. We will be honest if we do not think we can add value for your situation.

We work with people building their wealth, those nearing retirement, those already in retirement, and families focused on passing wealth on. Our approach adapts to your stage of life, from building investments and pensions to structuring retirement income and estate planning.

Retirement planning is a core part of our work, and we help you set short-, medium-, and long-term goals for how you want to spend your time and money. Some people retire all at once, and others prefer a phased approach, and we plan around what your finances can support.

We can help you explore whether an earlier retirement is realistic by building a plan around your savings, spending needs, and goals. We often use cashflow planning to test different scenarios, and investment values can go down as well as up.

Plan for approximately one hour. This usually allows sufficient time for a thorough discussion of your financial and personal goals, and for us to provide an overview of our services.

We are based in Cheltenham and work with clients both locally and further afield. This includes clients across Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Herefordshire, as well as other parts of the UK.

Cheltenham IFA has been providing financial advice since 2007. Some of our financial advisers have been supporting clients for over 30 years.

Yes, we have a parking space available for client meetings and we can provide a permit for display in your car. If you would like to leave your car for a little longer before or after your meeting, we can usually accommodate this, subject to availability.

Face-to-face meetings can take place at our office or, where appropriate, in your home. We will agree the most convenient option with you.

Yes, you can meet us in person, by video call, or by telephone. Face-to-face meetings can take place at our office or, where appropriate, in your home.

Yes, we are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA sets the standards we must meet when providing advice and looking after clients.

Yes, we provide independent financial advice, so our recommendations are not restricted to a limited panel of products or providers. We focus on what is appropriate for your objectives and circumstances.

For us, financial advice is all about the personal touch, so we’d love to see you face to face in the Cheltenham IFA offices or at your home for our first meeting together. Follow-up meetings can be held via Zoom or Teams if you prefer. Your relationship with us will hopefully be a long and fruitful one, though, so we’d love to invite you to visit us at least every other year if it’s convenient.

Yes, our offices have free parking. Let us know in advance if you need specific arrangements or have any accessibility concerns.

No, your first appointment is always at our expense. It’s an opportunity for you to get to know us better, and for us to understand your needs, explain our services, and determine how we can help you. We will only ever agree to work with you if we feel that we will add value. If we can't, we'll tell you straight away.

Bring any relevant financial documents, such as statements or policies for any pensions or investments you may already have in place. It’s also useful if you can bring some ID and proof of address.

No, we are not currently a Chartered firm. We invest in professional development and encourage our financial advisers to work towards Chartered status through our training programme.

There’s no obligation to go any further with us at this stage if you don’t want to. In fact, you’re encouraged to take the time to consider the information provided and make an informed decision at your own pace.

You can use our “Book an appointment” link to view the slots our advisers have available or contact us directly if you prefer. Our team will help with scheduling a convenient time for you.

It’s crucial that you feel comfortable at every stage of the financial advice process, so we completely understand the importance of being able to choose who you work with. Simply specify your preference, and we’ll do our best to accommodate it.

If your adviser is unavailable, a designated team member will be on hand to help with any queries you might have. Rest assured that you’ll always get a seamless service from our close-knit team.

Our fees vary based on the services your adviser feels are needed for your circumstances. All fees will be discussed and agreed with you before any work is carried out. In the meantime, you can learn more about the benefits of financial advice and the deep and lasting value it provides.

Most of the services we provide are exempt from VAT. If there are any exceptions to this in your case, we’ll let you know.

Our clients are successful and prosperous individuals, couples, and families who come to us with a range of different objectives in mind. See how we can help with your objectives and learn more about the services we offer.

Yes, we’re fully independent financial advisers. Our independent status means our advice is solely focused on your best interests, without any restrictions or ties to third parties.

Absolutely, and you can view our entry on the Financial Conduct Authority register here. As a regulated business, we have to deliver our services in a way that meets the highest standards of professionalism and ethics.

Safeguarding your highly sensitive personal and financial information is our top priority. As signatories of the government’s Cyber Essentials scheme, you can be confident that we follow the strictest security measures and comply with all relevant legislation at all times.

An hour is usually enough for an initial meeting. If your situation is more complex, we can agree extra time with you.

Yes, our client portal lets you view valuations online. It also supports secure messaging and document sharing.

Our financial plans are bespoke, so we do not use a one-size-fits-all template. In an initial meeting, your financial adviser can talk you through what a plan might look like based on the information you provide, subject to provider details being confirmed.

It is uncommon, but we have a handover process in place if an adviser leaves. Another adviser within the firm would take over your planning, and we aim to keep our approach consistent for continuity of advice and service.

Yes, with your explicit permission, we can speak with your mortgage adviser and provide information they need. We will keep any discussions within the scope you have authorised.

Yes, we regularly work alongside accountants and solicitors, particularly for estate planning or trust-related work. With your permission, we can coordinate the relevant information so your advice fits together.

If your circumstances change, it helps to let us know promptly so we can assess whether your plan needs updating. Some changes may not affect your plan, but keeping us informed allows us to respond in a timely way.

Yes, cashflow forecasting is part of our planning process and helps you see how decisions might affect your finances over time. Many clients find it especially helpful when approaching retirement.

This depends on the service you choose and your planning needs, but many clients review their plan annually, and some prefer more frequent check-ins. You will also receive our monthly newsletter and updates when major events, such as Budget announcements, may affect financial planning.

We work as a close-knit team, so there is always someone who can step in if your financial adviser is away. Our client services team can also help with day-to-day queries.

Yes, we have several female financial advisers. We will match you with an adviser based on your preferences and the type of planning you need.

No, there is no obligation to proceed after the initial meeting. We will outline potential next steps and explain any fees involved. You can then take whatever time you need to decide.

No, this isn’t something our advisers offer. If you need support with your final salary or defined benefit pension, we can refer you to a trusted specialist in our professional network.

The first meeting is a two-way introduction where we learn about you, and you get a feel for how we work. We use it to understand what you want to achieve and to discuss whether we think we can add value over the long term.

It helps to bring information about your financial situation, including pensions, investments, income, and expenditure. We will also talk through your goals, so having a clear idea of what you want to achieve is useful.

No, the initial meeting is free of charge. It gives you a chance to understand how we work and for us to confirm whether we think we can help.

Initial meetings can be arranged through our online enquiry form, by telephone, or by email. We will confirm a time and explain what the first meeting will cover.

We work with clients across Cheltenham, Gloucester, Evesham, Worcester, and surrounding areas. We can also work with clients further afield, depending on what you need and how you prefer to meet.

Our FCA firm reference number is 603065. You can use this to check our authorisation on the FCA Register.

Our team works closely together so you get consistent support, and we use client and team feedback to keep improving how we deliver advice and service. We aim for a friendly, approachable experience while keeping recommendations focused on your objectives and circumstances.

Yes, there are client reviews and testimonials available. You can view feedback on our website, on VouchedFor, and on Google.

No, we do not hold Accredited status with the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI). We are independent and FCA-regulated, and we focus on clear, consistent client service.

No, we do not currently hold Chartered firm status with the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). We are developing our team with the aim of working towards Chartered status over time.