How to find a great IFA

[lokijet]

No one in my immediate circle has used an IFA so how do I go about finding a good one ( need pensions/ retirement planning and IHT planning)

That’s a tricky one if you don’t have friends who can make a recommendation.

I would stay clear of various websites that sell your data as a lead and I would certainly not take any recommendations from random online people.

Do you have an accountant who could suggest someone? That’s where most of our new business comes from.

Your accountant or solicitor would be a good place to ask for recommendations.

Alternatively, your solicitor may have an in house "STEP" practitioner which is a kind of hybrid between accountant and solicitor dealing with things like IHT, trusts, etc, who'd also probably have an IFA they work with for the investment/pension side of things.

But you are right not to just randomly choose an IFA via a website or directory etc. I'd also strongly suggest against using any franchised from a national chain such as St James Place as I've had several clients over the years ended up paying way over the odds for pretty basic advice.

Thanks - I am trying to get a recommendation to avoid big groups - I'm in North Yorkshire and work in leeds