How we are paid
For Financial Services, on receiving an enquiry, we write to prospective clients confirming our details and enclose our documetn entitled "Key Facts about our Services" in order that it can be seen who we are and how we work. We also enclose a 'Fact Find' so that you will be familiar with the information we would require to carry out a review of your requirements. We would then arrange a preliminary meeting if possible, either at our offices or at a your home or office. The purpose of the meeting is firstly to establish whether we are able to assist with a prospective clients needs and objectives and secondly, to discuss how we would be paid for our services should we be instructed to proceed. There is no charge for this preliminary meeting and no obligation on either side.
After the initial free consultation, we will agree with you whether you pay us a fee, or we are paid out of the cost of any financial product you buy (commission). We will always tell you about any commission we earn, and it will be taken into account in working out our fee.
Commission is paid to an IFA firm by a provider, usually an insurance company or an investment house for the successful placing of business. The amount of commission is based on a percentage of the premiums payable or sums invested. The commission is included within the provider's normal product charges, so there is nothing you need to pay us in addition, indeed, as the commission is taken out of the product providers charges, it does not cost any extra to receive independent financial advice.
Fees will usually be based on time spent and evaluated at a rate per hour calculated to recover our costs. Fees attract an additional VAT charge whereas commissions, under current legislation, do not. We will always tell you about any commission we earn, and it will be taken into account in working out our fee.
Whether we take our remuneration by way of commission or fees will be a matter of discussion and agreement, and no charges for fees will be made without prior notification in writing.
