Skip to main content

10 Reasons to use a Financial Adviser

A good chartered independent financial adviser can help you build your assets and assist in making the most of your investments, securing the long-term future of you and your family.

1. To protect your family
There are a host of life insurance products on the market; an adviser can tell you which ones are actually worth buying. They will assess your position and guide you through the best options to protect yourself and your family - whether you are single or married, recently divorced, have a young family, approaching retirement, or dealing with a death.

2. To help plan your spending and saving
To secure your long term future, you need to build some assets - initially to get you through the rainy days and then to pay for holidays and luxuries. Step one is to plan your spending so that you begin to save, and step two is to plan that saving so that you can build your wealth as efficiently as possible. Irrespective of amount, a financial adviser can look at your situation and find the best starting point for you.


3. To help you plan for retirement
Once your short term saving needs are covered, you can start thinking about the long term. People are generally unable to rely on the state for more than a basic pension, so planning for retirement is a key but complex business. There are many different options available and a financial adviser will be able to sift through the many rules and product options and help construct a portfolio to maximise your long term prospects.

4. To secure your house
The mortgage market is complex and in recent years lenders’ requirements are more stringent. Buying a house is one of the most expensive decisions we make and the vast majority of us need a mortgage. A good mortgage adviser could save you thousands, particularly at times like this. Not only can they seek out the best rates, they can help you assess sensible levels of borrowing, make the most of your deposit, and might also find lenders who would otherwise not be available to you.

5. To help you meet your investment goals
As you progress through life and your assets and income begin to increase, you can start considering how to enhance your position rather than simply consolidate it. This could mean anything from looking to retire early to paying private school fees. Whatever your goal, a financial adviser can help assess what is realistically possible and plan with you to help you achieve it.

6. To find the right combination of assets
Investment is as much about protecting against potential downsides as it is about targeting maximum growth. High returns are often associated with high risk and not everyone likes the idea that their investment might fall by a third or more overnight! A financial adviser will make a detailed assessment of your attitude to risk before making recommendations. They will also ensure you don’t put all your eggs in one basket by helping you diversify not only across asset classes but also across accounts, individual funds and product providers.

7. To obtain an objective assessment
Every new investment opportunity or product is likely to be accompanied by a certain amount of hype but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is right for you. Investors will continue to be caught out by market ‘bubbles’ or high charges because they rush headlong in. A financial adviser knows how products work in different markets and will identify possible downsides for you as well as the potential benefits, so that you can then make an informed decision about where to invest.

8. To save money
Once your risk and investment assessments are complete, the next step is to look at tax; even the most basic overview of your position could help. It may simply mean using Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) or a pension plan to benefit from government incentives or choosing growth focussed assets over income to maximise capital gains allowances versus paying income tax. For more complicated arrangements, it could mean moving assets to your spouse or children to maximise their personal allowances instead. A financial adviser will always have your tax position in mind when making recommendations and point you in the right direction even in complicated situations.

9. To keep you on track
Even when your investments have been put in place and are running to plan, they should be monitored in case market developments or abnormal events push them off course. You can ask a financial adviser to keep a watchful eye on your investments. They can assess their performance against their peers, ensure that your asset allocation does not become distorted as markets fluctuate and help you consolidate gains as the deadlines for your ultimate goals move closer.

10. For peace of mind
Money is a complicated subject and there is lots to consider to protect it and make the most of it. Markets are volatile and the media are prone to exaggerate the risks and rewards. Employing a good financial adviser can cut through the hype to steer you in the right direction. Whether you need general, practical advice or a specialist with dedicated expertise, you could find that in the long term the money you invest in expert advice will be paid back many times over.

Please call 01485 541998 to arrange an appointment with one of our independent, chartered advisers.

Source: NorthStar Wealth Management

Popular posts from this blog

Budget 2021 – Small Business Owners

The planned increases to Corporation Tax Rates and what these mean for small business owners. Who will be affected? The corporation tax ‘main rate’ (currently 19%) is scheduled to increase considerably to 25% by April 2023. A new ‘small profits rate’ is also being introduced for business which make less than £50,000 profit a year. The main rate will be applied to businesses making more than £250,000 profit a year, with a ‘tapering’ of the two rates between these amounts.  Those companies under this lower £50,000 threshold will find themselves relatively unaffected by the new measures.  Businesses which find themselves between these rates will arguably be affected worst, having smaller profits to pay the extra tax from. For these companies, particularly which find themselves just over each of the limits announced, or indeed the tapering limits yet to be confirmed; additional tax planning will become an essential exercise going forward. Fortunately, these same companies will have more op

Newsletter - Budget 2021

Here is a roundup of the Chancellor's 2021 Budget from yesterday. Finance & Taxation Pension Lifetime Allowance to be frozen Pensions to have access to ‘green investments’– FCA consultation to follow shortly No changes to rates of income tax, national insurance or VAT Personal income tax allowance to be frozen at £12,570 from 2022 - 2026 Higher rate income tax threshold to be frozen at £50,270 from 2022 – 2026 Stamp duty freeze extended for a further three months in England and Northern Ireland After this date, the starting rate of stamp duty will be £250,000 until the end of September. Stamp duty will then return to the usual level of £125,000 Corporation tax on company profits to rise from 19% to 25% in April 2023, with a taper Rate to be kept at 19% for about 1.5 million smaller companies 95% Mortgages The UK’s biggest lenders will be offering 95% mortgages guaranteed by the government from next month to help buyers with small deposits get on or up the property ladder. Sunak

Why are CPD and Qualifications important to us and our clients?

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is activity undertaken to ensure our skills and knowledge are up-to-date. The Chartered Insurance Institute member CPD scheme provides a practical framework for ensuring development is addressed in a structured way to meets our personal and business needs and requirements of the CII as a Chartered professional body. CPD is a common requirement for qualified members of professional bodies. It reflects the fact that, in today's fast changing world, knowledge gained through qualifications quickly dates and, if you are to remain competent, you must continue to develop and enhance your knowledge. Equally, eligibility for and use of member qualification designations is not simply an indicator of study completed, but also of a commitment to subsequently keeping this knowledge current and being bound by a Code of Ethics. We believe it is essential to be part of this CPD programme and go beyond in studying CII modules, this allows us to: Build publi