Your Questions

  FAQ's for  Your Questions

What is commission?

Why pay fees rather than commission?

Should my adviser use commission to pay the fee?

Does a fee only adviser provide a different type of service?

How much are the fees?

How do I measure value for money?

Is Brilliance Financial Planning independent?

When do I pay?

Can I make an enquiry without being charged?

Are there any guarantees?

Do I need to visit your offices to become a client?

Who regulates Brilliance Financial Planning?

Would I benefit from paying a fee rather than commission?

Who benefits from commission?

Who benefits from fees?

Would I benefit from doing it myself?

Should I pay a fixed fee or an hourly rate?

Why should I consider paying a retainer?

Who is a typical Brilliance Financial Planning client?

What is my commitment?


What is commission?

Commission is traditionally the means of payment for financial advisers, and the way the financial services industry pays sales people for selling their products!


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Why pay fees rather than commission?

When you pay the fees, you control the process; get more choice, total impartiality and transparency.


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Should my adviser use commission to pay the fee?

Some IFA’s use ‘commission offset’ to pay the fee but this rules out the option of being advised not to change anything and doesn’t eliminate bias towards a higher paying company or product.


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Does a fee only adviser provide a different type of service?

Yes, because the emphasis is not on selling products, only good advice. Advisors who are paid a commission must sell products which pay them a commission. That difference alone justifies the use of a fee based adviser.


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How much are the fees?

The fee will vary depending on the work required. It will always be agreed in writing in advance, so no surprises, and it will often be lower than a commission payment.


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How do I measure value for money?

Because investment, pension or insurance products don’t include commission, thousands of pounds can be saved. Client time-sheets are always available.


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Is Brilliance Financial Planning independent?

Yes! We make our money from the fees you pay us so our interests are in complete alignment with yours.


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When do I pay?

You only pay once you have been quoted in writing and agreed the fee. Fees are paid at the start of a process on a monthly basis.


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Can I make an enquiry without being charged?

Yes! Your relationship with a good financial advisor will be a long one so it’s important that you take all the time you need before deciding whether or not to engage us.


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Are there any guarantees?

We will usually do the work before you pay. That way you retain control of our fee until you have seen the quality of our work.


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Do I need to visit your offices to become a client?

We work with clients throughout the UK and the world. Advanced technology means that maintaining our relationship and delivering a superior service is never an issue, wherever you are.


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Who regulates Brilliance Financial Planning?

Brilliance Financial Planning is an Appointed Representative of Fee Based Solutions. Fee Based Solutions is directly authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Details of our permissions can be found on the FSA’s website at www.fsa.gov.uk.


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Would I benefit from paying a fee rather than commission?

Yes, absolutely! You benefit from impartiality, lower costs, greater investment outcome, control, and high levels of professionalism.


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Who benefits from commission?

It is only the adviser who takes the commission and the provider company who will benefit from commission. We believe it is rarely clear whether the client is receiving value.


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Who benefits from fees?

You do because fees are the only way that Brilliance Financial Planning generates income. It means we remain completely independent and impartial.


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Would I benefit from doing it myself?

Whilst not impossible, developing a good knowledge of the range of financial products and solutions takes time and requires continuous research and analysis. Using an adviser also gives you greater protection through the Financial Services Authority. Many important aspects of financial planning may only be conducted through an adviser.


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Should I pay a fixed fee or an hourly rate?

We will quote you a fixed fee based upon the time we expect to take and the experience required, that way you can have certainty rather than worry.


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Why should I consider paying a retainer?

A retainer acts like a membership; you benefit from continued access to financial information and a regular structured review process. Successful financial planning is rarely able to conducted as a one off exercise and it is likely you may need us along the way.


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Who is a typical Brilliance Financial Planning client?

Anyone who sees the value in pure unbiased advice! One thing our clients have in common is the importance they attach to achieving and maintain financial security.


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What is my commitment?

Brilliance Financial Planning requires no minimum level of commitment from clients. Longer term relationships work better than short-term ones.


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