Our Initial Process — Elmstone Financial Planning

How we work

Our initial
4-stage process

Before we become your financial planner, we want you to understand exactly how we work and what to expect. Every client relationship begins with the same four conversations, each one building on the last.

1Introductory
2Future Planning
3Strategy
4Implementation
Stage 1 of 4 Introductory Meeting / Call 45 minutes – 1 hour 30
Understand
Where are you now, and where do you want to get to?

This is our chance to discuss where you are now and where you want to get to. This open conversation is to really understand what you want from life. Ideally we want to start building a list of all your goals and aspirations.

We decide whether there's value in working together

If we both feel there is value in working together, we will follow up with a full fact find for you to detail the specifics of your current financial situation.

Stage 2 of 4 Future Planning Meeting 1 hour – 1 hour 30
Plan
Putting your thoughts on paper

In this stage we aim to put your thoughts on paper. Using sophisticated financial forecasting software we will paint a picture of your future finances. This will show us whether your current plan allows you to achieve your goals, or whether some adjustments need to be made.

We get to work on a proposal

If through our discussions we feel that there are changes that could be made and our advice would add sufficient value to your future, we get to work on our proposal.

Stage 3 of 4 Strategy Meeting 1 hour – 1 hour 30
Strategy
Presenting your financial planning strategy

We will present our 'financial planning strategy' to you. This will cover all areas of our advice and how we will improve your situation. This will cover the overall plan and the products used to achieve it. This will also detail the exact costs of our advice.

A tangible advice document to take away

You will now have a tangible advice document to take away and dissect. We want you to pull this apart and get really comfortable with our advice, the value we add and the cost of working together.

Stage 4 of 4 Implementation Meeting 45 minutes – 1 hour
Implement
Covering any remaining questions and implementing

After presenting our strategy and leaving it with you, we will reconvene a week later to cover any questions you may have. Once you are entirely confident with our advice and the costs associated we will go through the relevant paperwork to implement.

You become a client of Elmstone

We will complete the necessary paperwork and you will become a client of Elmstone Financial Planning. We will then schedule our first review for 3 months' time.

What comes next
An ongoing
review process
Once implemented, your plan doesn't sit still. We schedule an initial review after 3 months, then move into our regular review cycle — ensuring your financial plan evolves alongside your life.

Elmstone Financial Planning is a St. James's Place Partner Practice. The Partner Practice is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority).