FAQs
Find answers to our most commonly asked questions here.
About us
Do you offer independent financial advice?
We offer completely independent financial advice tailored to your specific circumstances and preferences. Our focus is purely on you, our client.
Does the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulate you?
Yes. We are regulated by both the Financial Conduct Authority and the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Can I choose between meeting in person or on a video call?
Of course. Many clients are happy to meet via Zoom, while others prefer to meet in person. We typically meet prospective clients face to face once we have established that we may be a good fit for your needs.
Where are face-to-face meetings held?
Meetings can take place at clients’ homes or at one of our offices:
- 79 College Road, Harrow HA1 1BD
- 17 Hanover Square, London W1S 1BN
- Chartered Accountants’ Hall, One Moorgate Place, London EC2R 6EA
Do you have parking at your office?
At our Harrow office, yes. There are two public multi-storey car parks directly opposite. Our London offices are well served by public transport, and nearby public car parks are available if you need to drive.
How long has your company been providing financial advice?
We have been providing financial advice since 1986. The firm originally operated as an accountancy practice, but our move into financial planning began when Alan came across a copy of Money Management magazine. Its performance tables showed that the best pensions were delivering three times the income of the worst.
At the time, we already used detailed fact-finds with our clients. When we shared the findings with them, many realised their pensions were underperforming. They chose to move their pension advice to us because they trusted our judgement and long-standing relationship.
Where are you based, and do you work with clients outside your local area?
We are based in Harrow and work with clients primarily within an hour’s commute of Harrow or central London. We also advise clients internationally, including those based in Dubai and Australia.
Are your advisers/planners Chartered or Certified?
Yes. Alan is both a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments.
Do you have any client reviews or written/video testimonials, and where can I view them?
Yes. You can view our client reviews and testimonials on our website.
What makes your firm different from other financial advisers and planners?
Alan is one of only around 300 practising Chartered Accountants in the UK who is also a practising independent financial adviser. This combination means he brings deep expertise in tax planning alongside robust investment and financial planning advice.
For clients in retirement, we follow a clear three-part investment strategy designed to provide reliable income and long-term confidence:
- Cash to cover two to three years of income
- Investments that generate dividend income
- Investments aimed at providing a long-term legacy.
This structure helps provide stability of income that can grow over time, while reducing the need to sell investments during periods of market downturn.
What is your FCA registration number?
Our FCA registration number is 546200.
What are the key cities, towns and areas you work with clients in?
We work with clients across London and the surrounding areas.
Working together
How can I book an initial meeting?
You can book an initial meeting by phone, by email or by completing the contact form on our website.
Do I have to pay for an initial meeting?
No. The initial meeting is at our expense, and all fees will be set out clearly at the outset before any work begins.
What do I need to bring to an initial meeting?
The most important thing is you, as the person we will be advising. It is also helpful to bring any information relevant to what prompted you to seek financial advice.
For identification purposes, please bring:
- Your passport
- Proof of address, such as a utility bill or bank statement dated within the last three months.
Please note that mobile phone bills and documents shown only on a screen cannot be accepted.
What happens in the first meeting?
We will discuss your circumstances, goals and what you would like to achieve. We will also explain how our services could help you meet your objectives. Our fees will be provided either during the meeting or shortly afterwards, confirmed in writing.
How long should I allow for an initial meeting?
The initial pre-meeting is a short phone or Zoom call of around 15 minutes to determine whether I can help you.
The face-to-face meeting typically lasts up to one hour. Its purpose is to explore your situation in more detail, discuss how I might be able to help and decide together whether we are the right fit. It is also an opportunity to see if the personal chemistry works – in other words, whether you feel comfortable working with me and can trust my advice.
Do I have to sign up to your services at an initial meeting?
Absolutely not. Appointing a financial adviser is a significant decision, and there is no pressure to make that choice at the initial meeting.
Do you have a female adviser or planner I can work with?
While we do not currently have a female adviser, more than 50% of our clients are women, and we ensure all clients receive the same attentive, personalised service.
What happens if my financial planner is away on holiday?
We plan carefully to ensure there are no unexpected issues before any holiday. On the rare occasion a client has an urgent matter, I can still respond to emails if necessary. Our clients’ investments are managed day to day by three discretionary investment managers, so the management of your portfolio is not dependent on my presence.
How often will I hear from my financial adviser or planner?
We meet with all our clients at least once a year. If your circumstances or objectives change, you should let us know, and we can arrange a meeting if necessary. We are always available to discuss any concerns or questions you may have.
Will I get to work directly with Alan?
Yes. Alan works directly with clients and remains your main point of contact, providing personal advice throughout your relationship.
Do you offer cashflow forecasting/planning as part of your service?
Yes. We consider cashflow forecasting an essential tool for planning retirement or other financial goals. It allows us to demonstrate different options and scenarios, helping you make informed decisions.
What happens if my circumstances change?
We are always available to discuss any changes to your circumstances and can advise you whenever you feel it is necessary.
Can you work alongside my accountant or solicitor?
We regularly work with other professionals, including accountants, actuaries and solicitors, so that your financial planning is fully coordinated.
Can you coordinate with my mortgage adviser if they need information from you?
Yes. We are experienced in providing information and supporting mortgage advisers as needed.
What happens if my adviser leaves the firm?
Your investments are managed day to day by discretionary investment managers. I have no intention of leaving the firm, and continuity of service is always maintained.
Will I be able to see the value of my investments online?
Yes. You will have access to Transact, where your investments are managed. You can also use Tram, an app that shows all your investments, not just those held with Transact. This allows you to view your portfolio on your phone, tablet or computer.
Do you provide an online portal for clients to view their investments?
Yes. Through Transact and the Tram app, you can see all your investments conveniently online, wherever you are.
How often will I meet with my adviser or planner?
You will meet your adviser at least once a year. Additional meetings can be arranged if your circumstances, objectives or tax or investment situations change. We are always available to discuss any questions or concerns, providing a personal and responsive service.
Advice areas
Can you advise on mortgages?
No, we do not advise on mortgages.
Can you advise on equity release?
No, we do not advise on equity release.
Can you advise on personal pensions?
Yes. We have been advising on pensions since 1986. Our practice began by helping accountancy clients who had underperforming pensions understand what they should have instead.
Can you advise on occupational pensions?
We can advise on occupational pensions, but this is not the primary area of focus for most of our clients.
Can you help me consolidate multiple pensions?
Yes. Consolidating pensions is often a good idea, and we have been assisting clients with this for decades.
Can you help me take my pension tax-efficiently?
With the changes bringing pensions into the Inheritance Tax net from 6 April 2027, it is important to plan carefully. We consider your overall circumstances to ensure income is taken as tax-efficiently as possible.
Can you help with ethical or sustainable investing?
Yes. For clients who prioritise ethical or sustainable investing, one of our three discretionary investment managers offers a selection of investments that take these considerations into account.
Can you help me invest an inheritance I’ve received?
Yes. We can advise on investing an inheritance, taking into account your goals and objectives. We can prepare a cashflow forecast to ensure your plans are achievable, and we also consider any tax and potential Inheritance Tax implications.
Can you advise on self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs)?
Yes. We have advised clients on using SIPPs to buy freehold property for use in their company, which can be an effective tax strategy. SIPPs can borrow within certain limits and can use cash from the client’s company.
For clients who prefer investing in quoted shares or unit trusts, the rules of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme are generally more favourable for personal pensions than for SIPPs.
Can you advise on final salary or defined benefit transfers?
No. This is not an area we deal with, as it could affect independent investment advice. However, we can refer you to specialist firms that handle final salary or defined benefit transfers.
Do you offer advice on long-term care or later-life planning?
Yes. Long-term care and later-life planning are an important part of our cashflow forecasting. When planning retirements, we always build in the possibility of care costs and consider the tax implications, particularly Inheritance Tax (IHT).
We have specialist expertise in later-life IHT planning. For example, we recently advised an 89-year-old client with a life expectancy of just over five years. Most IHT planning assumes a seven-year survival, but we were able to present over half a dozen strategies. A combination of these options ensured that, whenever the client passed away, they would save between 60 and 80% of the IHT bill.
Can you help with Inheritance Tax planning or estate planning?
Yes. This is a key area of focus for us. We look closely at tax implications, especially Inheritance Tax, and have particular expertise in later-life planning.
Using a similar approach to the example above, we have helped clients implement combinations of strategies that can significantly reduce IHT liability, even for those with shorter life expectancies than typical planning assumes.
Can you advise on investments such as ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts)?
Yes. Ensuring clients make full use of their ISA allowances is a key part of our work. We help clients maximise their annual allowances where possible.
We also advise on onshore and offshore bonds, which can provide tax-efficient ways to generate income in retirement. Our expertise in offshore bonds has been featured in published articles on their tax-efficient use.
Can you advise on protection such as life insurance, critical illness cover and income replacement?
Yes. We provide advice on all of these protection products. For critical illness cover, we draw on expert input from a consultant anaesthetist client to identify which conditions and features are genuinely important and which may not add value.
Fees and value
Do you offer a free initial consultation?
Yes, the initial consultation is provided at our expense.
How do you charge for financial advice?
We charge an initial fee, which we quote based on your individual requirements and circumstances.
For investments:
- £150,000 – £500,000: 1% per annum
- Next £250,000: 0.75% per annum
- Over £1 million: 0.25% per annum.
These fees cover monitoring your investments through our discretionary investment managers, your annual review and ad hoc tax and investment advice.
What is your minimum fee?
Our minimum fee is £1,500.
What do you typically charge for a financial plan?
Costs vary depending on your circumstances. We will provide a written quote before starting any work, and we only proceed once you have accepted the quote.
Do you charge fixed fees or a percentage of my investments?
For the initial advice and financial plan, we charge a fixed fee agreed with you before work begins.
For investments:
- £150,000 – £500,000: 1% per annum
- Next £250,000: 0.75% per annum
- Over £1 million: 0.25% per annum.
These ongoing fees cover monitoring your investments through our discretionary investment managers, your annual review and ad hoc tax and investment advice.
For clients with funds under £150,000, we charge a fixed annual fee of £1,500.
Do you get commission?
We do not receive commission for investment advice. For life assurance and income protection insurance, we may receive commission. In these cases, all quotes and any commission amounts are fully disclosed to you, so everything is completely transparent.
Do you charge VAT?
In some cases, we are required to charge VAT. Any applicable VAT will be clearly communicated in advance.
Do you prepare Income Tax returns?
Yes. For clients with £250,000 or more invested with us, we will prepare a simple tax return as part of our service. As Chartered Accountants, we can also prepare more complex tax returns for an agreed fee.
How do I know if your fees are competitive?
We monitor the market and ensure our fees remain competitive. Fees become more favourable for larger investments.
How can I find your fees?
Our fees will be provided either during the meeting or shortly afterwards, confirmed in writing.
Who we work with
Can you help me retire early?
Yes. By preparing a detailed cashflow forecast, we can help you plan for early retirement. We take into account your life expectancy, based on family history, to help make sure your funds last throughout your lifetime. We can also assist with tax planning related to ceasing trading, selling a business and Inheritance Tax planning.
Can you help me plan my retirement?
Yes. Using a detailed cashflow forecast, we help clients plan their retirement to achieve their goals. This includes considering life expectancy, tax planning for business or trading cessation and Inheritance Tax planning to optimise your retirement outcomes.
What type of clients do you typically work with?
We work with a wide range of clients, including company directors, self-employed individuals, people who have inherited money and those who have received large compensation payments, such as from the NHS. We also advise clients who have been saving for retirement from their earned income.
Do you work with company directors or self-employed clients?
Yes. We work with both, providing tax, financial and investment advice. We have been doing this for decades.
Do you work with clients approaching retirement or already retired?
Yes. We work with both groups. Many clients approaching retirement require additional planning for a transitional income as they gradually wind down from work, while others are already retired and looking to optimise their financial position.
Can you help clients who have inherited money?
Yes. We can advise on investing an inheritance, taking into account your goals and objectives. We can prepare a cashflow forecast to demonstrate how your objectives can be achieved, and we also consider tax implications, including potential Inheritance Tax.
Can you help clients who have sold, or are in the process of selling, a business?
Yes. We provide tax advice when preparing to sell a business, including strategies to extract funds efficiently. We also offer Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning related to the sale, including ways to retain IHT Business Relief where possible, even under revised rules from 6 April 2026.
Can you help clients manage their finances after a bereavement?
We can help clients manage finances after a bereavement, providing guidance on Inheritance Tax and ongoing advice to beneficiaries. We work with solicitors and other professional connections to assist with probate if required.
Do you specialise in working with business owners, retirees, or professionals?
Yes. As Chartered Accountants and Independent Financial Advisers, we have decades of experience working with business owners, retirees and professionals.
Can you help if I already have existing investments or pensions elsewhere?
Yes. This is very common. Most of our clients come to us with investments held elsewhere. We review your existing arrangements and provide advice on what should be retained, transferred or adjusted based on your circumstances.
Is there a minimum amount of investable assets or income I need to become a client?
Yes. The minimum is £150,000, unless you are part of a family group.
Trust, safety and compliance
What happens if something goes wrong or I have a complaint?
You can raise any complaint directly with Alan Solomons. In the unlikely event that you are still dissatisfied, you can escalate your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
How do you keep my personal data secure?
All client data is stored securely and backed up remotely by trusted third parties. We use strong passwords and authentication codes and maintain cybercrime insurance to protect your information.
Are you insured to give financial advice?
Yes. As an independent financial adviser, it is a regulatory requirement that we hold professional indemnity insurance.
How can I check your FCA registration and authorisation?
You can find us on the Financial Conduct Authority register under number 546200.
How do you measure client satisfaction?
We periodically issue client questionnaires to gather feedback and monitor how well our service meets client expectations.
Do you have client stories or case studies I can read?
Yes. Examples and case studies are available on our website and can be viewed here.
020 3397 7730
alan@alpha4u.co.uk
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