What we do.

What we do

We are a financial planning business focussing on helping you understand and plan for your financial future. We provide holistic financial advice for individuals, businesses and trusts on investments, savings, retirement planning and non-investment insurance (for example life assurance, private medical insurance, critical illness cover).

Our services

Financial Planning

Using our highly successful technique involving five clear stages we will set you on the path to financial freedom.

After all, you can’t just pluck a figure out of the air and hope for the best – well, you could but it’s unlikely to reflect your potential earnings or the amount required to live the lifestyle you’ve envisaged.

Instead, with our style of financial planning, we give you a sound basis to work from.

Investment and Retirement Planning

Many of us set aside money for a rainy day or set up pension for our retirement but how many of us are confident we have done enough?

We can help you set goals for your investments and retirement.

We will review and assess any existing arrangements and incorporate these in a financial plan tailored to achieving these goals.

Protection Planning

As we grow older, get married, build families and start businesses, we come to realise more and more that having adequate protection in the event of death or serious illness is a fundamental part of having a sound financial plan.

We can help you highlight risks and recommend suitable cover to give you and your family peace of mind.

Estate and Inheritance Tax Planning

Working with your other professional advisers, we can help you plan to ensure that your assets are passed on to future generations as tax efficiently and as smoothly as possible.

The FCA does not regulate Estate and Inheritance Tax Planning.

Our 6 step process

1. First Contact

We’ll speak with you to establish your circumstances, your priorities and your financial goals. At the same time, this initial conversation gives you a chance to find out how we work, so you can trust and feel confident in us and the service we provide.

2. Discovery

We’re happy to meet with you without any commitment from you to move forwards. We’ll use that meeting to listen to you, find out more about your current situation and discover what outcomes you want to achieve. You can also ask any questions you may have about our service, how we work and what you can expect if you decide to work with us.

3. Research and planning

Once we’ve established your goals and expectations, our team will explore the best options for you and put together a plan based around what you want to achieve. We’ll present a plan to you, or potentially several different options, which we’ll talk through with you in detail. Just let us do all the hard work, so you can be sure that your money is working hard for you.

4. Recommendations

We’ll give information on your current financial status and any financial products you may have, such as investment bonds, ISAs, collectives and life assurance. We’ll advise on what you can do to improve your financial situation, both when it comes to making the most of your existing financial products and on wider issues such as your retirement options.

5. Implementation

This is the point where we make sure you’re entirely comfortable with the financial plan that has been drawn up and we put our recommendations in place. We set up new investments and financial products that we have agreed are right for you and keep a firm eye on your finances to make sure they are in order.

6. Review

As time passes, your needs, circumstances and goals may evolve, so we’ll regularly review your plan with you, so we can make changes when and where necessary. That means we can make sure your money is continuing to work as hard as possible for you, putting you in the best position to achieve your objectives. At the same time, you can get in touch with us whenever you like, if you believe any changes need to be made.

Here's what our clients say

Susan is a highly successful and busy legal professional who knows the meaning of service. As a partner and head of Corporate at Furley Page Susan takes pride in ensuring that she and her team work collaboratively with clients to achieve their objectives. Straight-talking, nice to deal with and being clear on costs sets Susan and her team apart. "Mike was a pleasure to work with. He is very solution driven when working for his clients and tries to find them a product that suits their needs. I would have no hesitation in recommending his services."

Abacus Advice has been fortunate to have Ray Beard as legal counsel for many years, so it’s especially gratifying that when Ray retired he chose Abacus Advice. "Mike Hardy and I got to know each other through my work as a solicitor and over the years, I’ve come to respect his dedication and professionalism. To say that his advice has been life-changing is no exaggeration. As a result of his in-depth knowledge of the complexities of current pension arrangements, I’ve been able to switch from full-time to part-time practice ahead of the state retirement age. I now have the time to pursue my many other ambitions. I can genuinely recommend Mike’s clear, considered guidance, without reservation."

Wendy has a demanding roll at Speedy Plc, the market leader in Tools, Plant and Services solutions. It's a demanding role within a competitive environment. When she's not working, Wendy runs marathons, and enjoys foreign travel with her family. Somehow, she's found time to study for an MBA in Marketing. Her time is precious so Wendy decided to delegate the stewardship of her finances, and approached Abacus. "Abacus Advice was recommended to me by a friend and I have never looked back. They have provided me with excellent advice and services on many occasions over a long period of time, and I have no hesitation in recommending them."

John has been professional photographer since he left school. He has worked in the newspaper, television, motorsport, aviation and PR industries. He has been lucky to combine most of his hobbies with his work and can found messing around with motorbikes,vintage aircraft and steam trains most weekends. "Mike and his team have given me invaluable help in maximising my pension. Mike is always available to give me advice when I need it. I cannot recommend Abacus highly enough."

Peter Shaw is the Former Senior Manager at BNY Mellon. "I was recommended Abacus when I was looking for someone whom could help me plan for early retirement making best use of my pensions as well as other monies received in a way that would be tax efficient. Mike has always been very friendly and professional, he listens and finds good solutions. If anything I should have contacted Mike many years ago. I am in a fortunate position where because of redundancy and with Mikes help I have been able to take early retirement and am now living the life I thought I would never be able to. My thanks to Mike for his assistance in achieving this."