FAQ
You are a boutique firm so does that mean it is more risky using your services?
We do not believe that 'bigger is better'. At McLeod Browne, we plan to remain a boutique-size firm, so that our clients continue to receive dedicated, specialist services. We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority just like any other regulated investment firm. McLeod Browne does not handle client money. We never accept a cheque made payable to us or handle cash, unless it is in settlement of charges for which we have sent you an invoice, which means there is no additional risk.
Do you offer a free consultation?
We host an initial exploratory meeting at our expense, without any charge or obligation.
What should I do in advance of my exploratory meeting?
In order to make the most of this time, bring along as much information about your current financial situation as you can and have a clear idea of what your aims and objectives are. This should enable us to explain what type of service we can offer you and how we would tackle your situation. Do not be embarrassed to ask questions if you do not understand something. This discussion will also help you to establish how well you would get along with our adviser on a personal level because it is important to feel comfortable with someone to whom you will probably have to reveal a considerable amount of personal information.
What are your qualifications?
First and foremost McLeod Browne provides a comprehensive financial planning service which requires a strong commitment to ongoing learning. Our adviser is a Certified Financial PlanningCMprofessional and Associate of The Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) - professional designations which prove a commitment to excellence.
What are your clients saying about you?
Please refer to our testimonials and real-life case studies.
What is your minimum portfolio size?
We have helped create financial plans for clients with portfolios ranging from £50,000 to £2 million. We recognise there are many firms purporting to provide a comprehensive financial planning service but in reality few rarely do. We have therefore decided not to impose minimums in order for prospective clients to gain access to professional financial planning proper. All we ask is that you value comprehensive financial planning and commit to following your financial plan.
How will I benefit from working with you?
There are many benefits in working with us, in fact, too many to mention here. Why not ask us for our advice and service proposition to better appreciate those benefits.
What should I expect next?
If there is a match between your needs and our services, we will take you through our structured six-step advice process. In summary: you will be asked to provide detailed information about yourself and your financial circumstances. We are legally obliged to carry out full "fact finds" so that we can establish what your requirements are. This means we will need to know about your income, your mortgage, your insurance cover, your debts, your pension, your savings and so on.
Then we will ask you about your objectives for the future and what your plans are for the short, medium and long term. This way we will be able to analyse your present situation and recommend where improvements need to be made to your existing arrangements or alternative ways in which you can achieve your future plans. We may be able to come up with a non-product based solutions. We will ask you about your attitude to risk to help us recommend the most appropriate investments for the future.
When discussing investments we shall explain the importance of asset allocation - spreading your investments across the different asset classes: cash, property, equities and fixed interest securities. We will write a bespoke strategic financial plan setting out our recommendations and our reasons for making them. After that it we would expect you to implement your financial plan and we will monitor and review your plan into your future.
How do you charge for your services?
We are remunerated by charging advice fees. These can be settled in a single payment or by monthly standing order, whichever is more convenient for you. If we elect mutually to proceed, we will start to prepare your financial plan or our initial recommendations. The standard cost for a full financial plan starts at £1,500. All other activity is charged in accordance with our schedule of fees (which is available on request) based on the amount of work involved.