We can hold meetings remotely via Microsoft Teams or by telephone. Alternatively, we can meet in person at our offices.

Yes. Parking is available. Disabled access and parking is also available.

No, we meet the cost of your initial meeting, which typically lasts around 30 minutes.

It can really help if you’re able to bring along:

• Details of your household income (gross annual and net monthly)
• Details of your annual expenditure
• Savings balances
• Investment balances (ideally, most recent statements)
• Pension balances (ideally, most recent statements)
• Details of any insurance policies (income protection or life and/or critical illness policies)
• Details of any liabilities (e.g. credit cards, mortgages, unsecured loans or hire purchases)

But don’t worry if you don’t have all those details to hand. We’ll start from wherever you are.

No. We only require acceptance of our terms of business once we commence work on your behalf.

Yes, we are. As a client, you benefit because being independent means we have access to the whole market and are not limited in the solutions or providers we can access.

Yes.

It’s important to always get regulated advice. We’re regulated with the Financial Conduct Authority. The FCA is the independent watchdog that regulates financial services. Our FCA number is 736240. Individual adviser FCA number JAW01279.

Our permitted business is arranging and advising on mortgages, investments, pensions (including occupational pension transfers) and non-investment protection contracts. You can check this on the FCA’s Register by visiting the FCA’s website https://register.fca.org.uk/s/ or by contacting the FCA on 0800 111 6768.

We do not offer advice on final salary/defined benefit pension transfers. We refer these requests to trusted third parties.

Up to 5% of the money being invested or transferred depending on the complexity and time involved to process the recommendation.  The fee payable will be agreed in a advice of the work being carried out.

For more information on what we charge, and how we add value, visit our Your Journey page.

For implementing a recommended plan we charge up to 5% depending on the complexity of the work involved. All charges are agreed prior to work being conducted so you’ll never be surprised by any unexpected fees.

We do not receive commission for our investment or pension advice. If we recommend an insurance policy we may receive commission or we may agree a fixed fee with you and waive the commission.

No. We are currently VAT exempt.

If you wish to register a complaint, please write to Future Start Independent Financial Planning Ltd, Oak House, Reeds Crescent, Watford, WD24 4QN or telephone 01923 909339. A summary of our internal complaints handling procedures for the reasonable and prompt handling of complaints is available on request and if you cannot settle your complaint with us, you may be entitled to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk or by contacting them on 0800 023 4567.

Yes, we are covered by the FSCS.

You may be entitled to compensation from the scheme if we cannot meet our obligations. This depends on the type of business and the circumstances of the claim. Most types of investment business are covered up to a maximum limit of £85,000, whereas non-compulsory insurance business is covered for 90% of the claim, without any upper limit. 100% of compulsory insurance is covered. Long-term insurance is 100% protected with no upper limit.

We use Microsoft Teams for our virtual meetings, you will be sent a link before your meeting.

We use Adobe Sign for virtual signatures. Here’s a video of how to use it: