If you’ve accepted a proposal from me, this agreement sits alongside it and applies to the same work. If anything feels inconsistent, I’ll talk it through with you and confirm in writing what we’re both expecting before I keep going.
What I’ll do
This agreement covers the financial plan work you’ve asked for, from the first meeting and fact find through to written advice, plus any implementation support you choose to add.
The specific items included in your financial plan are listed in the proposal you accepted. If you ask me to do something outside those stages, I’ll price the extra work in writing first, and I won’t start it until you confirm you want me to. My advice is based on what you tell me and the documents you provide. If something important is missing or wrong, I’ll update the plan and show you what changed and why.
Payment
For financial plan work, I invoice 30% to start and the remaining 70% when the plan is complete. “Complete” means I’ve delivered your written advice and plan documents in the agreed format.
Ongoing work (the retainer) is invoiced at the start of each month. Every invoice is payable within 7 days of its date. If a payment is late, I’ll pause new work and any product applications or switches until your account is up to date. If something is time-sensitive, tell me early so I can flag what a pause could affect.
Keeping things private
I’ll treat what you share with me as private, including your income, debts, statements, insurance details, goals, and anything I learn in meetings. I use your information to build and maintain your financial plan, and I only share it with providers when you ask me to apply for, change, or review a product and the provider needs the details to proceed.
You agree to treat my work as private too. When this engagement ends, you keep your financial plan and any advice documents you’ve paid for. I’ll keep my own working notes and copies for record-keeping, and I’ll keep them confidential.
How I’m engaged
I’m working with you as an independent financial adviser, not as your employee. That means I decide how I schedule my work and what tools I use to deliver it, and you’re not hiring me into your business.
I’m responsible for my own taxes, levies, and business insurance. You’re responsible for your own decisions and for checking that the information you give me is correct and complete. If you’re ever unsure what I need from you, ask. It’s faster to clarify early than rebuild models later.
Monthly retainer
If you’re on a retainer with me, it runs month to month and renews automatically at the start of each month. I invoice that retainer at the start of each month, and the invoice is due within 7 days.
Either of us can end the retainer by telling the other in writing. I’ll confirm in writing what notice applies for your retainer, based on what you accepted in the proposal. When the retainer ends, I’ll finish any work already scheduled for the notice period, and I’ll let you know what is complete, what is in progress, and what I recommend you do next.
What I’m responsible for
I’m responsible for delivering the financial plan and any agreed review work with reasonable care, and for explaining the options and the trade-offs in plain language so you can make an informed decision.
I’m not responsible for losses caused by market movements, changes in provider terms, law or policy changes, or delays and decisions made by banks, insurers, fund managers, or underwriters. I’m also not responsible for outcomes based on information that turns out to be incomplete or incorrect. If something changes, tell me as soon as you can so I can update the plan and show you the impact.
Ending the work
You can pause or stop the work at any time by telling me in writing. I can also end the engagement by telling you in writing. In both cases, I’ll confirm the finish date in writing and what happens next.
You’ll pay for the work I’ve completed up to that date. If you’ve already paid more than the value of work completed, I’ll credit the difference against any final invoice or refund it. I’ll hand over any usable draft plan material and notes that help you move forward, along with your completed financial plan documents once invoices due are paid.
Signature
