What it takes to make a successful adviser businessProviding best advice in a transparent way, with explicit contracts so that a client expectations are met, is a good starting point for this journey, says James Pearcy-Caldwell, co-founder of Aisa International.

Caldwell, who is the best adviser firm winner of International Adviser’s Best Practice Adviser Awards 2016 for Europe says that is not sufficient to make a successful client practice: ongoing service is key to client satisfaction, as is a growing business model.

Aisa International – OpesFidelio run a three-year strategy, reviewed and updated annually, to look at targets achieved, market conditions and regulation changes-backed up with a six-monthly operations report.

Some years ago, Aisa worked with its clients and formulated a customer charter. Ten years later that charter still provides the guidelines for advisers and staff.  

We believe our ethos of transparency, combined with positive long term outcomes, leads to satisfied clients and advisers, and makes the businesses a positive force for

good. With the recognition of our focus on client service and transparency with the International Adviser awards, we will continue our drive to provide high standards for investors and advisers alike.

Expats should not have to pay higher fees

Aisa believes that an expat should have access to the same service standards and transparency as the UK which is considered one of the best regulated markets. Why should expats pay fees and charges considerably higher than the UK?

With Aisa International and OpesFidelio adopting UK best practice, including governance, accountability, transparent costs and ongoing continual professional development, we can transform the client experience.

With a flexible and conscientious approach to delivering a professional service, quality advice and first class performance, our mission is to make a positive difference to our clients’ lives.  

‘How to’ brochures for advisers  

Our network publishes brochures, such as our investment strategies and “how to” brochures for advisers, to adopt a transparent fee based model. We focus on technology, and servicing our customers.

The key assessment is recurring income. The recurring income already covers the group costs. Firms are also helped to move to transparent fees in anticipation of the Insurance Distribution Directive and Mifid II while maintaining and improving the profitability of their businesses.

New clients receive a clear introduction and an interactive service with optional service levels. This is controlled centrally and provided according to clients’ requirements. We have online risk profiling and fact-finds. The client receives an email with a link to the online risk profiler- automatically provided to the investor and compliance.

Clients get an in-house investment bulletin, along with contact about other matters such as recommended fund changes, updates to tax and reminders about tax declarations and Isa subscriptions. An in-house annual review brochure with full projections, including those of a random nature known as Monte Carlo is also provided.  

A sustainable business  

One RDR principle was the removal of cross subsidisation –to prevent some clients covering the fees of others. Aisa has a matrix of 30 different services, in a clearly laid out service document.

Our investment planning is based on a 100-page governance document that sets our parameters for fund selection, risk targeting, asset allocation, the investment process, with due diligence on whole of market principles. Governance of training and competence are enforced and follow the FCA principles.

OpesFidelio is built for advisers with a dual vision; one of promoting the idea of putting the client’s interests at the fore, and the second of wishing to build a long term sustainable business model.

This provides the best outcome for the client and the best outcome for a sustainable business.

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