Financial Planning

We have been providing independent investment management and financial planning for many decades. We believe in developing a long-term working relationship with clients, based on a premise of transparency, integrity and treating our clients fairly.

Our financial planning service is based on a truly holistic understanding of our client's financial situation, goals and attitude to investment risk.

Through our application of independent, fee-based services and our ethos of working closely with clients and their professional representatives, we have established ourselves as the trusted wealth advisers to many clients.

In tandem with financial planning is investment advice, and together these represent the cornerstones of our offering to private clients, as the appropriate management of wealth is imperative in meeting financial planning objectives.

This is combined with effective tax mitigation advice, often in relation to inheritance tax (IHT), to help maximise investment returns in the most cost effective and tax efficient manner.

We have a compelling approach to wealth advice that is most suited to investors with assets of £250,000 or more.

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AES is a wholly independent company and is not restricted in any of the funds or investment products we may wish to use for our clients' investment and financial planning purposes.

AES is privately owned and therefore not financially tied or obliged to any particular fund manager or product provider. We refuse to accept the financial contributions that these providers will often make to financial services companies - money that is then often used to pay for marketing, training or even company conferences.

AES is a strong advocate of charging fees for investment advisory, financial planning and consultancy services. We believe that the commission system, where the level of remuneration is reliant on the sale of a product, creates a potential conflict of interest between the adviser and the client. With a fee-based approach we have no financial incentive other than working in the best interests of our clients.

Whilst we believe financial planning is crucial to achieving the financial future you want, we also recognise that sometimes you need help with a  particular question.

You may have a particular financial problem that needs solving as a priority or questions about advice you've been given in the past.  No matter how big or small, we can help.

Cash-flow planning is a wonderful tool. In an area of life that concentrates on numbers, it is a tool to help clients visualise complex maths as simple charts that are easy to understand.  It can be used to show you where you stand now and also how to achieve your goals. Used well, it can empower you, help you make good decisions and maybe even change lives.

Cashflow planning is designed to measure all cash inflows and outflows, and then integrate these items with your assets. It includes a careful analysis of the income tax burden each year.

The projection illustrates the impact that any surpluses or shortages might have on the ability of your assets to last through life expectancy.

Although AES International is an advocate of cash-flow planning, we do not believe it should be used for every client. Generally, it suits those with £250,000 (or more) to invest. Cash-flow planning could be used for protection planning, assessing buying a house, school fees, trusts, care fees planning, inheritance tax planning, the list goes on. The issue is what is going to work for you.

Cashflow planning is particularly useful for those approaching retirement when there may not be a substantial time to accumulate additional capital.

Cash-flow-based projections are also ideal for complex situations, including individuals with high wealth or assets in more than one jurisdiction, or whenever tracking all the details of cash flows are important for a highly thorough analysis.  

Goal-based planning is designed to identify certain goals, and then determine if what you are doing now will allow you to fulfil your goals.

These projections look at your goals (retirement, survivor, education, etc), and if a deficiency is determined, works out how to achieve the goal.

Goal-based planning is excellent if you are in 'the accumulation phase', where there is still time to change the habits of saving and investing to make up for potential shortages.

It also includes disability and life insurance need calculations important for accumulation phase individuals, as you are in the process of building assets and are less likely to have an adequate capital to protect for a death occurring now or in the future.

If you already have an adequate secure income from the state, defined benefit pensions or annuities to cover your standard of living.  In this situation, you are able to maintain your standard of living whatever the market conditions with your investments.

Of course, a cashflow plan can help achieve this position, for example by modelling new annuity income. Equally, if you have very significant wealth and income to ensure you will always have enough to maintain your standard of living (whilst taking care costs and the death of one in a couple into account).

Notional cashflow is the true amount of future earnings and expenses, without any adjustment for inflation. It’s helpful in anticipating costs and returns within a given period – for example, 5, 10, 15 years, etc.

Real cashflow is adjusted for inflation in order to reflect the change in the value of money throughout our investment period. Because inflation reduces the spending power of money over time, real cashflow gives a clearer perspective of what your investment will be worth in the future.  

Your financial planner will work carefully with your plan and consider different options to get the best results for you. They have in-depth knowledge and understanding of the tool, with the expertise to devise a plan that works on an individual level. But it’s important to note that cashflow planning results are not 100% accurate. Several variables can, and will, change over time – like growth rate and inflation – which is why cashflow planning should be relooked regularly.

Absolutely. In fact, when you sit down with your financial planner, you’ll be able to look at a variety of ‘what if’ scenarios to give you the best insight into your financial future. Together with your planner, you’ll be able to plot and tweak the plan until you’re happy with it.

Yes, it can. The tool can be used to assess the best option for you to meet your goals. It will show you the current value of your pension and project the estimated value if a transfer is arranged. This will help you to make the right decision regarding your transfer, or seek alternative methods.

A cash-flow plan is a living, breathing thing. It has little or no value unless it is reviewed and updated. A review with your adviser allows you to update your plan in line with what has happened in reality and any changes in your circumstances and objectives.

Sometimes, reviews will involve more than just updating but re-planning as well – as your circumstances may have deteriorated, improved or changed (for example, a divorce). At review stage, the same points apply about data gathering, updating objectives and making the plan work.