With an endless range of opportunities available, deciding where and how to invest your hard-earned money can be difficult. Investments vary widely in terms of how the money is invested, what the fund aims to achieve and the level of risk it carries. All of this can impact how an investment matches your objectives and the level of return you may receive.
Just investing, isn’t necessarily enough to achieve your financial goals. To be certain that you’ll achieve the return that you are looking for, you need an investment strategy which is tailored to your objectives.
Your circumstances and plans may mean you need to grow your wealth or generate an income from the money you already have or possibly both. Whatever strategy you adopt and whatever you are saving for, its essential that you hold investments that match your personal attitude to risk and which benefit your tax status, as well as those that reflect your values and interests.
With numerous investment options and so many aspects to consider, it’s highly advisable to seek expert advice when starting an investment or when reviewing any existing investments. Our highly qualified independent planners will take the time to understand your situation, your investment goals and attitude to risk, to help you establish the most appropriate investment solution.
What form may my investment take?
The most suitable way for you to invest will depend on your individual goals and your attitude to investment risk. There are a huge number of investment options available, some that make it easy to spread your investments across a wide range of asset types and countries, others that are more aligned to those who are comfortable in taking a higher risk for a greater return on their investment.
Our planners will produce an investment strategy which reflects your requirements.
Bespoke Discretionary Fund Management – this offers a tailored portfolio of investments where an experienced portfolio manager who is highly attuned to market conditions and opportunities, decides what action to take with the investment to create the greatest return. The portfolio can include equities, funds, bonds or cash. This allows you to free yourself from the burden of making day-to-day investment decisions.
Managed Portfolio Service – this provides a diversified portfolio of investments managed by a leading portfolio manager and offers a range of services available with different objectives, growth targets and risk which makes it a more affordable investment solution than the bespoke option above.
With profit funds or collective investments – these include unit trusts and Open-Ended Investment Companies (OEICs) and can include investment in multiple assets, including shares, bonds, government gilts, property and money markets. The option of making lump sum payments and/or regular contributions is normally available. The cost of investing is normally lower as your money will be invested with funds from other investors, making it more affordable than purchasing them directly. Spreading your money across different investments can reduce the risk your money will be exposed to.
Stocks & shares ISAs – in many instances, Stocks & Shares ISAs invest into collective investments like a unit trust or Open-Ended Investment Companies (OEICs) however the funds will be eligible for tax savings that are not available if you invest into them directly. Because of these tax savings, there is a limit on the amount of funds that that can be invested in ISAs each year.
Investment bonds – these are similar to life insurance policies where by a lump sum is invested into a variety of assets. Despite having a small life insurance element included, they are an investment product rather than insurance. There are similarities to collective investments like a unit trust or Open-Ended Investment Companies (OEICs), but the returns are taxed differently.
Other investments – if you are comfortable with investments that carry a higher level of risk, in order to potentially receive a higher level of return, there are a number of investment solutions available such as Venture Capital Trust Investment (VCT) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) Investment Portfolios. Some of these options involve investment into smaller companies and due to the heightened risk, they include tax incentives that are not available with other types of investment.
Whatever investment options you are considering, it is essential that you seek professional advice to make sure the solution is suitable for your situation. We will not advise clients on specific property transactions or on high-risk speculative investments such as crypto currency or bamboo plantations.
Limited company director investments
If you are a director of a limited company there can be tax benefits and higher returns associated with investing large company cash balances, rather than leaving the funds in a low interest bank account.
Our team of planners specialise in working with business owners and can recommend the best solution to ensure your money works hard for you, whilst also maximising your tax savings.
Your planner would get to know you, your business and your goals and depending on this information may recommend that you make pension contributions through your company, (depending on your pension allowance) if that is deemed an efficient solution for your situation. Alternatively, they may advise that investing the funds, provides you with a greater opportunity.
How Financial Planning by TaxAssist can help you
A dedicated, independent planner will have a free initial meeting with you to discuss your current situation, your future goals and aspirations and any existing investments you have in place. There are then several ways they could support you depending on your needs:
- Set up of a new investment
If you are looking to invest for the first time or are looking to diversify into new additional investments, our planners have full access to the investment market and will research all opportunities in order to produce a recommendation tailored to your situation and style of investing.
- Review your existing investments
Our friendly independent planners are happy to review any existing investments you may have, to determine if they are invested well, based on your circumstances and attitude to risk and if they are likely to achieve your future plans, investment preferences including ethical considerations and your attitude to risk.
- Ongoing investment advice
Our friendly, highly qualified and independent planners offer an ongoing personal and tailored investment service and will be by your side on an ongoing basis to review your investment strategy to ensure it remains on track or is adapted if your circumstances, financial goals or future plans change.
How we work
We offer a free initial meeting with no obligations, to understand your investment needs and discuss how we may be able to support you.
If you like what you hear and wish to progress, your dedicated Financial Planner will arrange a fact find meeting where we will allow sufficient time to fully understand your situation in enough detail so we can provide you with formal advice. From there we research the market for a financial solution and produce your investment strategy to discuss with you in detail. Upon agreement, the strategy would be implemented on your behalf.
Depending on the service you take out, we will provide an ongoing investment planning service to ensure your investment delivers the return you require to achieve your future goals.
Find out more
Contact our team of expert and friendly planners to book a free initial by calling 0330 441 2244, complete our enquiry form or email [email protected]