Our Services

FCA authorisation services for financial advisers

We provide a comprehensive service to help your new business obtain the regulatory permissions it needs before it can start trading.

This includes:

Advice on the permissions you need to apply for
Assisting with the completion of your application
Collating and checking the supporting information you provide
Helping you to write the business plan which must accompany the application
Deal with your case handler’s feedback and enquiries
Assistance with sourcing competitive Professional Indemnity Insurance
Helping to design your initial disclosure documents, terms of business and client agreements
Putting in place the necessary compliance policies, including:

Putting in place a suitable Training & Competence scheme for you and your advisers
Training your team, including members of your support staff, on important issues such as spotting complaints, as well as potential instances of money laundering or financial crime

On-going compliance services for financial advisers & mortgage brokers

We provide a range of compliance services for financial advisers and mortgage brokers to select from. Including, but not limited to:

Each Month

Review of FCA website to check for updates which are relevant to your business
Attendance at team meetings to update your advisers and support staff on issues which are relevant to them
Review Management Information figures so you know exactly what is happening in your business
Ensuring Training & Competence records are fully completed and up to date
Analysing CPD records to ensure you and your advisers are on track to complete the required number of hours each year
Ensure that contracted client review meetings are taking place and records updated appropriately
Checking that your business continues to meet its Capital Adequacy requirement
Reviewing Financial Promotions, to ensure they meet the regulator’s guidelines

Ensuring your Advertising and Financial Promotions Register is kept up to date
Reviewing your various registers to ensure they are up to date, this would include your:

Client file reviews to ensure the quality of advice remains at an acceptably high level
Taking part in, or reviewing the outputs from one to one meetings with your advisers
Testing your data back-up procedures to ensure they are robust and for for purpose
Training and competence meetings with your advisory team

Ensuring your Gabriel return is completed accurately and on time
Reviewing panels and provider due diligence, including your Central Investment Proposition, where appropriate
Politically Exposed Persons and Sanctions checks to ensure you remain compliant
Appropriate monitoring of any firms acting as Appointed Representatives of your business

Staff reviews and appraisals to assist in identifying any additional risks within your business
Review of all literature issued, to ensure it meets regulatory guidelines
Ensure Financial Ombudsman Service literature is in stock, up to date and being used correctly
When necessary provide updates on your company’s structure
Production of an Annual Compliance Plan for the following 12 months
Apportionment & oversight review to ensure systems and processes are robust
Annual fitness & propriety review to confirm any changes to your adviser’s personal circumstances which could introduce risks to your business
Completion of a compliance report to the board to ensure all members are cognitive of business risks
Update Vulnerable Customer Procedures to ensure you are compliant with the regulator’s requirements
Data Protection Licence Annual Renewal
Review and update policies to ensure you remain compliant
Handling your Professional Indemnity, Employers and Public Liability Insurance renewals
Project based work and ad hoc support