How to choose a financial planner in Bath.

To choose a financial planner in Bath: check they are authorised by the FCA, confirm they hold a recognised financial planning qualification, match their specialism to what you actually need, understand exactly how they charge, and meet two or three before you decide. The right planner becomes a long-term partner, so trust and clear communication count for as much as credentials.

That is the short version. The rest of this walks through each step, the difference between an adviser and a planner, what to look for, and the mistakes that cost people most. I write it as an independent financial planner in Bath, so treat the parts about my own firm as exactly that. The method holds whoever you end up choosing.

i. Why does a local planner matter?

A good planner does more than manage investments. They help you decide what you want your money to do, then build a plan to get there, across retirement, tax, protecting your family, and passing wealth on. Most of that work is the same wherever you live.

Some of it is not. A financial planner who works in Bath and the South West knows the local property market that so much local wealth is tied up in, sees the same pension and professional situations often enough to recognise them, and can meet you in person when a decision deserves a conversation rather than an email. Local knowledge does not replace qualifications. It sits on top of them.

ii. Financial adviser or financial planner: is there a difference?

People use the two titles almost interchangeably, and day to day they overlap. The rough distinction is one of scope. A financial adviser often focuses on a single job, such as arranging a pension, investing a lump sum, or setting up life cover. A financial planner tends to start wider, with the whole shape of your finances and your goals for later life, then builds a long-term plan that the individual products serve.

For most people who want lasting help with retirement, investments and inheritance, planning is the work that matters. What you call the person matters less than two things: that they are authorised and qualified, and that they take time to understand your whole situation before recommending anything. A good independent financial adviser in Bath and a good financial planner are, in practice, doing the same job well.

iii. Step one: get clear on what you want.

Before you compare anyone, write down what you are trying to solve. Are you building toward retirement, turning a pot you already have into an income, cutting a future inheritance tax bill, or protecting your family if something happens to you? Note the worries too, whether that is future care costs, a business to pass on, or children you want to help.

A planner can only tailor advice to a picture you have described. The clearer your list, the faster you can tell who fits and who does not.

iv. Step two: check they are FCA-regulated and qualified.

Never skip this step. Anyone who gives regulated financial advice in the UK must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, and you can check any adviser or firm for free on the FCA register. The government-backed MoneyHelper service also explains how to check and choose an adviser.

Look for a recognised qualification as well. The Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning (DipPFS) is the standard an adviser needs to practise, and some go further to Chartered or Certified Financial Planner status. Membership of a professional body such as the Personal Finance Society is another sign of someone who keeps their knowledge current. Ask what they hold, then verify it. An unregulated "adviser" puts your money and your future at risk, whatever they promise.

The cheapest planner is rarely the point. A poor decision on a pension costs far more than any fee.

v. Step three: match their specialism to your need.

Planners do not all do the same work. One focuses on retirement income, another on tax-efficient investing, another on estate and inheritance planning. Read their site and their articles, and check that the person in front of you spends their time on the thing you need.

Independence matters here too. An independent financial adviser can recommend from across the whole market. A restricted one is limited to certain products or providers. Neither is dishonest, but you should know which you are dealing with before you take their advice.

vi. Step four: understand how they charge.

Ask for the fees in writing before you commit, and compare a few. Financial adviser charges usually take one of three shapes.

Fee structure	How it works	Typical range (2026)
Percentage of assets	An annual fee based on the size of your portfolio	0.5%–1.5% a year
Fixed fee	A one-off charge for a plan or a review	£1,000–£3,000
Hourly rate	Pay per meeting or advice session	£150–£350 an hour

Cheapest is rarely the right test. A poor decision on a pension or an inheritance costs far more than the difference in fees. Look for pricing that is fair, clear, and set out in writing, then weigh it against the value you can see.

vii. Step five: meet them, and ask the right questions.

Meet two or three, in person or on a call. You are judging more than competence. You are deciding whether you trust this person with choices that shape your retirement. Take a short list of questions:

• What experience do you have with situations like mine?
• Are you independent, and how are you paid?
• Which qualifications do you hold?
• How often will we review the plan, and what will I receive?
• What happens to my plan if you retire or leave the firm?

How they answer tells you as much as what they answer. A good planner welcomes the scrutiny and gives you plain answers rather than a pitch.

viii. What to look for, and what to avoid.

The strongest sign is a planner who spends the first meeting on you, not on a product. Look for independence, clear qualifications, honest explanations without jargon, and clients who have stayed for years. A first meeting should leave you understanding your own situation better than when you walked in, even if you never go back.

Three mistakes cost people most. Choosing on price alone. Skipping the FCA check. Forgetting to ask about ongoing service and what happens if their planner moves on. Avoid those and you have already done better than most.

ix. How I work with clients in Bath.

For what it is worth, here is my own approach. I am an independent, Diploma qualified financial planner based in Bath, working with clients across Bath, Bristol and the South West on retirement, investments and inheritance. I start by understanding your situation, explain the options in plain English, and build a plan we review as your life changes. If you want to find out whether we are a fit, the first conversation is free and carries no obligation. Whether you choose me or someone else, use the steps above and you will choose well.

— Andrew

Andrew Daw is a Diploma qualified independent financial planner based in Bath, working with clients across Bath, Bristol and the South West. More about Andrew.