Authorised and regulated by The Financial Services Authority

Independent Financial Adviser (IFA)

There are basically three different types of financial adviser in the UK:

1. A single-tied agent (possibly also known as an Appointed Representative). They provide advice from one product provider to which they are "tied". Their financial advice is limited to the products and services offered by their chosen provider. Should they have no suitable products within their range they must then inform the client accordingly. They may suggest a client refers to an Independent Financial Adviser if they are unable to meet their needs.
2. A multi-tied agent. They provide advice from a limited number of providers to which they are "tied". They will select the most appropriate product from their range of providers. Their scope ill be greater than a single-tied agent because they are able to select from a number of provider products and services. Some agents are "tied" to one company for protection solutions and another for retirement solutions and so on, whilst others choose from a range of providers in each area of financial need.
3. A whole of market adviser. They provide advice from the whole of the market (or a whole segment of it). They are not "tied" to one provider. If they also offer their client the option to pay for their advice by way of fee only, they are known as an Independent Financial Adviser. They must regularly analyse products and services from the whole market to ensure their advice is suitable for their client. The Financial Services Authority restrict the use of the word "independent" only to this type of adviser.

A. R. D. Consultancy is regulated by the Financial Services Authority as an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). We believe that this option provides us with the greatest benefit in being able to assist our clients in their financial planning. It results in us using a number of different providers in order to address our clients needs. For example, when designing a possible investment solution, we would take in to account the past performance of an investment fund or manager, we would see how well their fund has performed during the good as well as the not so good times. We would look at the financial strength of the provider, their service standards, the options available within the product, the price charged for setting up or maintaining the investment, and where an ethical investment is required we would look at their investment credentials.

As an IFA we offer all our clients various options in terms of paying for our advice and services and would take time to help our clients select the best option for them. All our fees are clearly demonstrated well in advance of undertaking any work on our clients behalf.

Currently the fee options include:

• A set fee payable by the client (and, if any commission is pad by the provider, this will either be returned to the client or used to improve the benefits available, or, reduce the cost of the product)
• A commission option - where commission is paid by providers this can either be used to reduce or sometimes eliminate the fee charged (remembering that commission is usually paid for by the provider out of charges to the client - thus the client still ultimately pays for it)
• A combination of the above

Don't be put off in dealing with an IFA because of the fee situation, with all financial advice there is a fee to be paid, either directly spelt out in terms of pounds and pence, or indirectly through fees built in to the contract. A single or multi-tied agent will receive commissions for conducting business either for themselves or the firm they are representing. An IFA aims to increase your choice of product and service and can add considerable value to your decision making.

A. R. D. Consultancy's aim is to add value to our clients financial solutions, and, by providing independent financial advice we feel that this improves our client proposition.

You can enjoy the A.R.D Consultancy experience for yourself and receive quality Independent Financial Advice. It’s easy, just lift the phone or send us an email and we’ll do the rest.