Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions people ask most before they get in touch.
What does an independent financial adviser actually do?
A financial adviser helps you get from where you are now to where you’d like to be. I start with you and what matters most, then look at the whole picture: pensions, savings, investments, protection, tax and inheritance planning. Once you’re happy with the plan, I put it in place, including all the admin, and keep it on track as life changes. You end up with one clear plan you understand, and someone keeping an eye on it, so you can stop wondering whether you’re doing the right thing.
How much does advice cost?
You pay nothing until your plan is put in place. Initial advice is a one-off cost based on the amount I’m advising you on: 2% on the first £250,000, less on larger amounts, with a minimum of £750 and a maximum of £12,000. For example, investing £150,000 would cost £3,000.
What’s the difference between an independent and a restricted adviser?
An independent adviser can recommend from across the whole market. A restricted adviser can only recommend from a limited range, sometimes just their own company’s products. Unlike a bank or a tied adviser at a national firm, I have no product to sell you. I search the whole market and recommend what suits you best, and if what you already have is working, I’ll tell you to keep it. Many people don’t know which kind of adviser they’re talking to, so it’s always worth asking.
What happens when we first talk?
We start with you, not your paperwork. Money is rarely just numbers. Most people carry a mix of feelings about it, whether that’s pride, worry or a nagging sense they should be doing more, and the numbers only really matter once I understand the person behind them. Then we talk about your goals, family, income, what you own and owe, and what’s important to you. There’s nothing to prepare. By the end, you’ll know whether advice is right for you and what working together would involve. There’s no pressure to go any further.
How do I know you’re legitimate?
You can find me, Andrew Rose, trading as Focused Financial Advice, and New Leaf on the FCA register. I’ll never ask you to send money to me personally: your money always goes straight to the pension or investment provider in your own name. If anything about a contact claiming to be me feels wrong, call me on the number on this website before doing anything.