Description
Ashton House is a small, friendly company set up in 1994. We pride
ourselves on providing helpful, professional advice across a wide range
of services.
Whilst the majority of our work is for existing clients and "word of
mouth" referrals, we are happy to speak with new, prospective
customers, and any initial discussion or meeting is free of charge.
Ashton
House IFA was established in July 1994 by Tony James, its owner. Since
that date, the company has been based in High Street South, Dunstable,
Bedfordshire.
Originally part of a national network of financial
advisers, the company has, since November 2002, been directly regulated
by the Government regulator - the Financial Services Authority.
As Independent Financial Advisers we are free to advise on financial
products available from all product providers. We use advanced computer software
to research, compare and select the most suitable deals currently available.
We are thus able to make arrangements to maximize the benefits to our clients.
You'll get our help to review your existing financial situation and reach
a realistic assessment of your likely needs. For this, you'll need to set aside
some time to talk to us - the first one-hour consultation is free. There's no
charge, and no obligation, while we find out together if it's worth going ahead.
Depending on your instructions we will carry out a needs analysis based on
your current situation, and taking into account any specific plans and/or targets
you may have. We will then advise you on anything from a short term financial
objective to a lifetime financial plan, followed up with regular reviews.
You will receive professional advice about where your financial arrangements
are already good, and where they're inadequate (or not covered at all).
You'll also have our help to decide how much provision you need to make, and
the order of priority in dealing with your finances. And of course it will all
be sensibly balanced in relation to your current income and your prospects
In almost all cases we are able to make arrangements which clients would be
unable to make for themselves. All our proposals will be fully explained and
costed so that you'll know exactly what and why before you agree to anything. On
receiving an enquiry we invite a prospective client to come to our
offices for a preliminary meeting. The purpose of the meeting is
firstly to establish whether we are able to assist with the prospective
clients needs and objectives and secondly to discuss how we would be
paid for our services should we be instructed to proceed. There is no
charge for this preliminary meeting and no obligation on either side.
After the initial free consultation, we will agree with you whether
you pay us a fee, or we are paid out of the cost of any financial
product you buy (commission). We will always tell you about any
commission we earn, and it will be taken into account in working out
our fee.
Commission is paid to an IFA firm by a provider, usually an
insurance company or an investment house for the successful placing of
business. The commission is included within the providers normal
product charges, so there is nothing you need to pay us in addition.
The amount of commission is based on a percentage of the premiums
payable or sums invested.
Fees will usually be based on time spent and evaluated at a rate per
hour calculated to recover our costs. Fees attract an additional VAT
charge whereas commissions, under current legislation, do not. We will
always tell you about any commission we earn, and it will be taken into
account in working out our fee.
Whether we take our remuneration by way of commission or fees will
be a matter of discussion and agreement, and no charges for fees will
be made without prior notification in writing. If you ask us to
arrange a mortgage for you, we can be paid either by fee or
by commsision. If you choose to pay us a fee, we normally charge 0.5%
of the loan amount, and in some cases an up-front non-refundable charge
of £150.
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