The Pinnacle Programme

The Pinnacle Programme is a comprehensive and on-going programme incorporating core life, financial, investment and tax planning to ensure you balance the attainment and preservation of long-term financial security with the achievement of profound life goals in the near term.

The programme includes the following:

Life and financial planning

We will work with you to develop a structured, personal life and financial plan to achieve your profound life goals in the fastest and most efficient way, whilst making responsible decisions for your longer-term security and that of your family. We will help you to assess your choices and options by quantifying their impact on your finances. Statements of net assets, income, expenditure and cash flow form the basis of your plans, which include a financial assessment, a risk profile, and investment, pension, tax, education and estate plans.

Annual and interim reviews

The annual review is essential for achieving your goals. You provide us with an update of your affairs and this forms the foundation for your revised plan and recommendations for the next 12 months. We will carry out two less formal, interim reviews each subsequent four months to help you keep on track of your goals.

Access to your planner

You have unlimited, free access to us at any time during business hours by phone or email, plus one free meeting a quarter.

Implementation

With your authority (but subject to any regulatory restrictions) we will implement our financial recommendations or your requests; the first four hours of implementation work each year are included in your fee.

Investment planning

We will ensure your investments are managed to compliment the planning work we do for you; life goals and financial planning drive the investment process. We manage your investments in-house, although in some cases we may recommend that you appoint one of our wealth management partners to provide you with discretionary portfolio management on favourable terms. Capital preservation and growth is achieved by creating a globally diversified portfolio from a wide range of asset classes including cash, fixed interest, equities, property and structured products.

Pension planning

We will help you plan and manage retirement strategies by guiding you through often complex and time consuming pension regulation and helping you select the most suitable retirement option to meet your life goals whilst preserving security and tax efficiency.

Tax and estate planning

We will incorporate comprehensive strategies into your plans to reduce your current and future liabilities to income and capital gains taxes. We will provide advice about taking up your tax allowances at the start and end of the tax year. We will work closely with your other advisers to build a comprehensive estate plan, and provide you with detailed figures to show the actual financial value of your legacies.

Portfolio monitoring and measurement

We will continuously monitor the strategic asset allocation of assets within your portfolio, and to apply regular tactical allocations when necessary and opportune. We will regularly show you the performance of your portfolio and discuss with you the decisions taken on your behalf.

Investment administration

Whether you elect to have your assets managed in house or through one of our partner wealth managers, your invested assets will be held in a custodial service in an account in your name. You will have full online access to your account and receive regular reports.

Remove the hassle service

You are welcome at any time to ask us to deal with life's financial hassles that originate in financial institutions and government departments.

Professional liaison

We will liaise with your team of professional advisers and work with them to help you in the achievement of the lifestyle you desire.

Self-assessment

Shortly after the financial year end we will provide you or your accountant with a consolidated tax certificate and information necessary to submit your self-assessment.

Update service

Regular (bi-monthly) newsletters or occasional e-mails advise you of important legislative or technical changes and other information that may be to your benefit.

Is the Pinnacle Programme right for me?

We offer a range of services to meet the needs of most investors. Pinnacle will help you build on sound financial foundations to achieve your profound life goals. It will be appropriate for you if you have already taken steps to develop an investment portfolio and/or a healthy positive cash flow. You may be employed, self-employed or retired and will probably have multiple, conflicting goals.

How much does it cost?

Pinnacle provides the services set out in this document including generous access to us so that you can be sure of rapid professional help. Clients pay a fee of £395 per month, (from 1 Jan 2011, including VAT at 20%).

This fee is fixed for one year and reviewed at the end of this period, although this does not stop you from terminating our agreement at any time by providing one month's notice in writing. Our fee rates for providing additional services are published on our website.

Fees can be deducted from your current account or your portfolio and we would be pleased to discuss the most suitable way for you.

Client agreement

Clients are asked to sign the Pinnacle Service Client Agreement, which you should read carefully. You can also download the Pinnacle service standard.