The cost and value of financial advice, should be clearer and more available to everyone to understand. Many people avoid financial advice because they assume it's expensive, or only for the very wealthy.

However, research suggests that those who seek out financial advice, can be up to £43,000 better off than those who didn’t take financial advice.*

The real value of financial advice isn't just a number on a page. It's the confidence of knowing a qualified team is managing your pensions, savings and investments, adjusting your strategy as required, to help you to achieve your financial goals.

Working with a financial adviser for financial advice is worth considering if: 

• You’ve built up savings, pensions and investments and would value a professional opinion to ensure your savings are adequate for your retirement. A financial adviser or financial planner will help you work out your priorities and recommend products to meet your needs.  
• Your financial needs are complex, and specialist advice could help you understand your options. For example, Inheritance Tax planning, understanding tax allowances, run a business, or have significant pensions that require specialist advice.
• If you have financial dependents, children, or older relatives that you may be looking to support.
• You need help making a specific decision, such as selling a business, changing career or being offered a redundancy package.
• You don’t fully understand financial products, or you feel more comfortable with an expert providing guidance to support you in your financial decisions.
• You would like an independent opinion on your finances further to a change in circumstances following any life events such as a divorce, ill health or a bereavement.
• You’ve received a lump sum and are not sure what to do with it, such as an inheritance or redundancy payment. 

It's the peace of mind that comes from working with an expert team you can trust, who know your goals, your family, your situation, and your plans for the future.

At AC Wealth, we believe you should know exactly what you're paying before you commit to anything.

Here's how we work:

Initial advice is charged on a simple tiered structure, 2.5% for portfolios up to £150,000, 0.5% for portfolios over £150,000 with a cap of £12,000 for larger portfolios.

Ongoing Wealth Management is 0.75% per year and that includes annual meetings with your Financial Planner, cashflow modelling, portfolio reviews, and keeping you ahead of tax and regulatory changes.

Our team of financial planners are based across Scotland and every client relationship starts with a conversation, not a sales pitch.

Curious about what good advice could do for your financial future? Get in touch with one of our team today.

Sources:

* “Affluent but advised” Report from Royal London individuals accumulated £43,000 more in financial assets than similar unadvised peers.

FCA Financial Lives Survey (various years). Shows advised consumers tend to have higher levels of investible assets, greater pension engagement, and higher confidence in making financial decisions.

Establish how The Scottish Budget impacts you and your business

The recent Scottish Budget focused on measures to improve the health and well-being of the people of Scotland and boosting public services. While the Westminster Budget has increased the settlement for Scotland, the government faced a shortfall of around £1 billion for the coming year.

Some of the key highlights announced included:

• The tax thresholds for basic and intermediate tax rates will increase by 7.4% in 2026/27. Other thresholds remain frozen.
• Land and Buildings Transaction Taxes remain unchanged.
• Two higher council tax bands will be introduced from April 2028 on properties worth more than £1 million after some ‘targeted revaluation’.
• A tax on travel by private jet will come in from April 2027.
• Public sector efficiency reforms will be introduced to save £1.5 billion.
• Scottish Child Payment will increase in line with inflation, with an increase to £40 for children under a year old from 2027/28.
• Breakfast clubs will be offered in all primary and special schools by August 2027.
• The small business bonus scheme is extended for the next three years, and a 15% rate relief will apply to retail, hospitality and leisure businesses at the basic or intermediary property level (capped at £110,000 a business each year).
• Social care workers will receive a minimum of the real living wage of £13.45.

We have summarised these and the other main announcements and measures that may affect you in this document. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss any aspect of the Budget and its implications.