Article last updated 24 July 2025.
You might think financial planners are only there to provide technical guidance around the latest rules and regulations. The reality is that most of us could benefit from the expert guidance and insight these professionals provide at any stage of our lives.
Financial planning is about more than just using your annual individual savings allowance and pension contribution allowance. Financial planners are there to help make investment management, inheritance tax, protection, legal, trust and tax planning work together so you can achieve your financial goals.
They could also give you the confidence to enjoy your money – whether that’s spending it on yourself, giving it to your family to enjoy together or donating to the causes you care about.
The role of a financial planner covers a broad area, including:
— Helping to promote financial literacy and education.
— Setting goals and priorities for financial goals.
— Helping budget and manage cash flow.
— Risk management and insurance planning.
Tailored advice
The starting point for most people is to meet a financial planner to talk about your situation and what you’re looking to achieve. If you don’t have any firm ideas then this conversation can help to shape your thinking.
You may be looking to invest for the future. An investment portfolio is the foundation of many people’s plans to help create a secure financial future for themselves and their families.
A number of factors will determine what’s right for you. A financial planner will consider your situation to determine the investment approach that’s appropriate for you.
If you build a long-term relationship with a financial planner through an ongoing service, you’ll benefit from the reassurance of knowing there’s always someone by your side looking after your best interests. Financial wellbeing is about much more than the value of your wealth, and guidance from a professional adviser who understands your situation can help keep you on the right financial path.
Start a conversation
People often seek a financial planner when something has happened in their lives or is about to happen. For example:
— You’ve started a family and want to protect against the unexpected.
— You’re thinking about retiring or taking a step back from work.
— You’ve received an inheritance and don’t know what to do with the money.
Whether you have a specific financial challenge you’d like to solve or would like a more general review of your situation, a conversation with a financial planner can open up a new world of possibilities.
Collaboration is at the heart of effective financial planning. Working with your network of professional advisers including accountants and solicitors, your financial planner will complete the circle of advice by drawing everything together. They can also help reduce the burden of administration by assisting with tax returns and any other documents you may need to complete.
