What does a financial adviser do?

A financial adviser can help with your investment goals, but they can also offer many more ways to understand and make the most of your money.

You might think that people who use financial advisers are just investing in the stock market or need someone to manage their portfolios. But a financial adviser can do a whole lot more.

Different types of financial advice
For an adviser, it’s their aim to help you achieve your financial goals, but that doesn’t just cover building wealth through investment – their expertise can apply to everything from mortgages to life insurance, pensions, saving for retirement or handling an inheritance. Advisers can vary in what they specialise in, and fall under a large umbrella of services including:

Pensions
You may have several workplace pensions that you’d like to consolidate, or you could have questions about drawing an income from your pension. Whatever your circumstances, a financial adviser can examine the details within your pensions to guide you on how to approach them, considering how much you will need to live comfortably when you retire.

Tax
Another area where expert help is needed is tax. From inheritance tax to capital gains tax or working out how much you should be paying (and if there are ways to minimise your tax bill) – is tricky. With the help from an adviser, you can become more tax-efficient and make the most of any tax breaks available to you. An adviser is best placed to help minimise your tax bills and get you the best returns.

Inheritance
An adviser can help you with leaving a legacy – an important part of planning the future of your estate and making sure your wishes are carried out when the time comes, and your wealth is passed tax efficiently. This advice could range from inheritance tax mitigation to making or updating your will.

Mortgages
Mortgages can be a tricky area, whether you’re a first-time buyer, searching for the best remortgage deal or looking for an investment property. A financial adviser can help you navigate the process, find the right type of mortgage and map out how your mortgage will work over the years (and when it could be a good time to review your mortgage). They’ll also be able to let you know your tax obligations if your property is an investment.

Investment
A financial adviser can help you navigate the world of investing safely, helping you take your first steps in investing or reviewing and managing your existing investments, as well as making you aware of any risks along the way and making sure you keep focused on the long-term goals through any market highs and lows. Our advisers have a broad breadth of experience and take an objective approach – offering ongoing advice and expertise – both of which are crucial to seeing your investment and retirement objectives come to fruit.

Our financial advisers are here to help you make sense of your finances, build, and manage your wealth and protect what you have going forward – to the benefit of you and your family.

The value of investments and any income from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the original amount invested.

HM Revenue and Customs practice and the law relating to taxation are complex and subject to individual circumstances and changes which cannot be foreseen.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE

Key takeaways

• Financial advisers have expertise in areas from mortgages to pensions to saving for retirement or handling an inheritance.
• With the help from an adviser, you can become more tax-efficient and make the most of any tax breaks available to you.
• A financial adviser can help you manage your investments and stay focused on your long-term objectives.