Mazars to offer free advice in Financial Planning week

Hosted by the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI), the UK-wide annual event highlights the importance of having a financial plan in place. 

The week will feature a series of one hour drop-in consultations for people to discuss their personal finances with a CISI Certified Financial Planning professional free of charge. Mazars has taken part in this initiative for five years and hopes to build on last year’s successes and help even more people, from all walks of life, plan for the future.

Mazars Partner Nigel Hutchinson said: “We are proud to support this initiative and would urge more firms to be involved so even more people can be reached. Financial planning is something that should be on everyone’s radar. From those looking to invest their money, to those looking for help with pensions or looking to finance their children’s education, there really is no limit to those who would benefit from a simple finance plan.

He added: “Financial planning is different to “financial advice” as it helps people to organise their money to achieve specific life goals, whereas “financial advice” focuses more on financial products.

“Last year, we conducted our own consumer research into what people considered to be ‘success’ in life. The results suggested that most people have a good idea of what constitutes success for them, yet only 28 per cent have a plan in place to help achieve those goals.” (see Editor Notes)

“I would urge everyone to use this week as the prime opportunity to assess their finances and plan for the future,” he concluded. “Some careful financial planning really can help you reach your goals and isn’t as hard as many think. However much you earn, do not risk leaving your finances to chance.”

Throughout the week the Mazars teams at their offices nationwide will be sharing their top tips for how people can successfully plan for the future.

Jacqueline Lockie, Deputy Head of Financial Planning at the not-for-profit CISI, said: “Financial planning is a relationship-based process, which aims to help everyone, no matter what their age or financial circumstances. It allows those with money to plan their spending and saving wisely, but also those without, to work with a qualified CFPTM or CISI professional who can support them in reaching their financial goals.  Financial planners do not just work with wealthy individuals,”

Last year, the event helped over 500 consumers with their financial planning issues and this year those wishing to participate will again be able to book in their one hour consultation in advance. Visit https://www.mazars.co.uk/Home/Services/Financial-Planning to find your nearest Mazars Financial Planner.

Find out more about Financial Planning Week on the CISI website – www.cisi.org/fpweek

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

The success survey was conducted by One Poll on behalf of Mazars.  A representative sample of 2,000 people across the UK were asked about their attitudes to success in August 2016.

Across the UK, 28 per cent of people have a plan to achieve what they feel is being successful in life, with men being slightly more inclined to plan than women, 29 per cent against 27 per cent.

Only 11 per cent said they had used a financial professional to help them achieve their version of success at retirement, but four out of ten said it was something they would consider.

Men were more likely to have used a financial professional to plan their retirement than women (13 per cent against 9 per cent).

Mazars Contact

For national press enquiries, please contact Lorraine Hackett, Communications Director, on +44 207 063 4435 or email lorraine.hackett@mazars.co.uk

About Mazars

Mazars is an international, integrated and independent organisation, specialising in audit, accountancy, advisory, tax and legal services. As of January 1st, 2017, Mazars operates throughout the 79 countries that make up its integrated partnership. Mazars draws upon the expertise of 18,000 women and men led by 950 partners. We assist clients of all sizes, from SMEs to mid-caps and global players as well as start-ups and public organisations, at every stage of their development. In the UK, Mazars has approximately 140 partners and over 1,700 employees serving clients from 19 offices, and is ranked one of the top 10 firms nationally.

Mazars Financial Planning is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mazars.

For all national news and expert commentary, visit our website at www.mazars.co.uk

News and our latest announcements are also published via the firm’s page on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/mazars-UK or you can follow us on Twitter @Mazars_UK

About Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI)

For further information on the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) contact, Lora Benson +44 20 7645 0662/ +44 7801 521034 or lora.benson@cisi.org

The CISI’s mission is to help members attain, maintain and develop their knowledge and skills and to promote the highest standards of ethics and integrity in the securities and investment industry.

Based in the City of London, the CISI is a global organisation with representative offices in financial centres such as Dublin, Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila, Dubai, Mumbai and Colombo.  We work in close cooperation with regulators, firms and other professional bodies worldwide and over 40,000 examinations were sat in 80 countries in the last twelve months.

With 40,000 members in 116 countries the CISI is the professional body which sets examinations and offers qualifications for those working, or looking to establish a career in the financial planning, wealth management and capital markets industry.