Yes, we provide independent financial advice. That means you can work with us knowing that the financial planning we provide is focused on you and your circumstances.

Yes, we are directly authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can check our listing on the Financial Services Register using our Firm Reference Number, 606805.

Yes, you can meet us in person at our office or arrange a video call if that is more convenient. We are happy to work in the way that suits you best.

We hold face-to-face meetings at our office in Langham, just outside Colchester, Essex, CO4 5WR. You can choose to meet us there whenever an in-person meeting works best for you.

Yes, there is plenty of free parking at our office. You can park on site at no cost when you come to see us.

We have been providing financial planning for 13 years. During that time, we have worked with clients locally and across the country.

We are based in Langham, just outside Colchester in Essex, but we work with clients across the country. Our clients include people in areas such as Edinburgh, Manchester, Harrogate and the Cotswolds.

Yes, our financial planner, Stephen Buckle is a Chartered financial planner. You can learn more about this professional qualification and our approach on our Why choose us page.

No, Ashworth Financial Planning itself does not hold Chartered firm status. Our financial planner, Stephen Buckle, is, however, individually qualified as a Chartered financial planner.

No, we do not hold Accredited firm status from the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment. Our financial planner, Steve Buckle, is individually qualified as a Chartered financial planner.

Yes, you can read written testimonials from people who already work with us on our Why choose us page, which includes feedback from clients, and on our Case studies page, where clients talk about their experience of working with us.

We are independent and directly authorised, and you will work with a Chartered financial planner. Cashflow planning is fundamental to the way we work, and we build ongoing relationships with regular contact and meetings.

Our Financial Conduct Authority registration number is 606805. You can use this number to find and check our details on the Financial Services Register.

We are based in Langham, just outside Colchester in Essex, and work with clients across the country. As well as clients closer to home, we work with people in places including Edinburgh, Manchester, Harrogate and the Cotswolds.

Yes, we can advise you on personal pensions as part of your wider financial plan. We will consider your pension arrangements alongside what you want your wealth to help you achieve.

Yes, we can advise you on occupational pensions. We can consider them as part of your wider financial position and financial plan.

Yes, we can help you consider consolidating multiple pensions. We will look at your pension arrangements as part of your wider financial plan.

Yes, we can help you consider how to take your pension tax-efficiently. We will look at this in the context of your wider financial plan and what you want to achieve.

Yes, we can help you with ethical or sustainable investing. We can take your preferences into account as part of your wider investment planning.

Yes, we can help you invest wealth you have received through an inheritance. We will consider what you want that wealth to help you achieve as part of your wider financial plan.

Yes, we can advise you on self-invested personal pensions. We will consider them alongside your wider pension arrangements and financial plan.

If your financial plan indicates that specific advice on a final salary pension or defined benefit transfer is required, we can introduce you to somebody who can provide it. We will make that introduction when your wider financial planning shows that specialist advice is needed.

Yes, we can help you with long-term care and later-life planning. We can include these considerations within your wider financial plan.

Yes, we can help you with Inheritance Tax and estate planning. We can consider these areas as part of your wider plans for your wealth and your family.

Yes, we can advise you on investments including Individual Savings Accounts. We will consider them as part of your wider investment strategy and financial plan.

If your financial plan shows that you need specific protection advice, we can introduce you to a specialist who can help. This could include areas such as life insurance, critical illness cover or income replacement.

Yes, our initial meeting is offered entirely at our expense. You can use that meeting to get to know us and understand how we could help before deciding whether you want to move forward.

We charge a flat fee for preparing your initial financial plan, followed by a percentage-based fee if you enter into an ongoing relationship with us. We will explain the charges clearly before you decide whether you would like to proceed.

We typically work with clients who have at least £500,000 in assets. This helps you understand at an early stage whether our service is likely to be suitable for your circumstances.

Our initial financial plan typically costs between £1,750 and £3,750. We will confirm the exact fee before you decide whether you would like us to carry out the work.

We charge a flat fee for your initial financial plan and a percentage-based fee for the ongoing relationship. We will explain exactly what your fees would be before you agree to move forward.

No, we do not receive commission. Our charges are based on the fees we agree with you for the financial planning and ongoing service we provide.

No, we do not charge VAT on our fees. We will explain the charges that apply to you clearly before you decide whether to proceed.

We benchmark our fees against the wider market every year. This helps us keep an informed view of how our charges compare with those elsewhere.

We benchmark our fees against the wider market annually. This allows us to regularly assess how our charging structure compares with other financial planning firms.

Your first meeting is entirely at our expense, and we will explain our fees as part of that conversation. By the end of the meeting, you will know exactly what the fees would be if you choose to move forward with us.

Yes, your investments can benefit from protection provided by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme where its rules apply. This protection sits alongside the regulated financial planning service we provide.

Please contact us in the first instance if you have a complaint so that we have the opportunity to address your concerns. If you remain unhappy, you can refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

We take the steps you would expect from a regulated financial planning firm to keep your personal data secure. Our Legal page explains more about how we look after your personal information.

Yes, we are insured to provide financial advice. This forms part of the professional framework within which we provide our financial planning service.

You can check our details on the Financial Services Register using our registration number, 606805. This allows you to confirm our authorisation directly through the regulator’s official register.

Yes, you can read stories and feedback from people who already work with us. Our Case studies page gives you examples of clients and their experiences.

We measure client satisfaction through an annual survey. This gives our clients an opportunity to tell us about their experience of working with us each year.

No, we are not currently featured on VouchedFor. You can instead read testimonials from our clients and hear directly about their experience of working with us.

Yes, we can help you plan towards an earlier retirement. We can look at your financial position and help you understand whether your finances support the retirement you want.

Yes, retirement planning is an important part of the work we do. Our People planning for retirement page explains more about the people we help as they prepare for life after work.

We typically work with business owners, senior executives and wealthy families. We help them plan around their circumstances, goals and financial future.

We generally only work with younger clients when they are the children of existing clients. This allows us to support different generations within the families we already work with.

Yes, we work with company directors and self-employed clients. We can consider their personal financial planning alongside the wider circumstances they bring to us.

Yes, we work with people who are approaching retirement as well as those who have already retired. You can read more about how we help people planning for retirement and those who are already retired here.

Yes, we can help if you have inherited wealth. We can help you consider how it fits into your wider financial position and what you want to achieve.

Yes, we can help you understand whether the amount you are selling your business for is enough to achieve financial independence or another financial goal. Our Business owners page explains more about the people we work with in this position.

Yes, we can help you manage your financial affairs following a bereavement. We understand that this can be a significant change in circumstances and can help you review your financial plan accordingly.

Yes, we work with business owners, people approaching or already in retirement, and professionals. We can help you build a financial plan around your circumstances and what you want your future to look like.

We do not typically work with expats or people who are not UK residents. Our usual client relationships are with people whose circumstances fit the financial planning service we provide in the UK.

Yes, we can help if you already have investments or pensions elsewhere. We can consider those existing arrangements as part of your wider financial plan.

We typically work with clients who have at least £500,000 in assets. This gives you a clear indication of the level at which our service is normally intended to be suitable.

You can call or email us to arrange your initial meeting. You can also use our contact page to get in touch and start the conversation.

No, your initial meeting is entirely at our expense. It gives us the opportunity to get to know each other without you having to make a financial commitment.

Please come with a rough idea of your current financial position and an open mind. That gives us a useful starting point for the conversation about where you are now and what you would like to achieve.

We will ask you plenty of questions and, most importantly, listen carefully to your answers. It is also your opportunity to ask us anything you would like to know about us, our approach or working together.

We recommend allowing around 60 to 90 minutes for your initial meeting. This gives us enough time to have a useful conversation without feeling rushed.

No, there is no obligation to sign up to our services during or after your initial meeting. The meeting is an opportunity for both of us to decide whether working together feels right.

No, we do not currently have a female financial planner. Our wider support team is available to help you throughout your relationship with us. Our About us page explains more about the individuals who will support you.

Our support team remains available when your financial planner is away. That means you still have people at Ashworth Financial Planning you can contact if you need help.

We keep in regular contact by email and meet with you face to face at least once a year. We can meet more frequently when your circumstances or needs mean an additional conversation would be useful.

Yes, cashflow planning is a fundamental part of the service we provide. You can find out more about how it fits into your wider financial plan on our What we do page.

Please tell us whenever something important changes in your circumstances. We will review your financial plan in light of what has happened and consider what, if anything, needs to change.

Yes, we regularly work alongside clients’ accountants and solicitors. We are happy to coordinate with the other professionals involved in your financial affairs when needed.

Yes, we can coordinate with your mortgage adviser and provide the information they need from us. This can help the different professionals you work with stay aligned.

Our financial planner owns the firm, so we do not expect him to leave. This gives you continuity in the person responsible for your financial planning relationship.

No, we do not provide an example financial plan. We can, however, explain our financial planning process when we meet.

Yes, you will be able to see the value of your investments online. This gives you a convenient way to keep track of them between your meetings with us.

Yes, we provide clients with an online portal where they can view their investments. You can access our client portal online when you need it.

We will meet with you at least once a year. We can arrange additional meetings when they are needed because of your circumstances or something you would like to discuss.