Do I need a wealth manager?

Managing your finances can be a complex and time-consuming task. From investments and taxes to estate planning and risk management, personal finance can become a confusing maze of decisions and strategies.

As your wealth grows and your financial needs become more intricate, you may ponder a crucial question: Who can help me with this?

A wealth manager can be a valuable ally. They offer knowledge, experience, and personalised guidance to help you make informed decisions. In the face of challenging and changing markets, it’s no wonder so many are turning to professional advice, with the value of the industry expected to increase 67% by 2030.

But is hiring a wealth manager the right choice for you?

Whether you are a seasoned investor, a business owner, or someone looking to secure a comfortable retirement, this article will try to answer that question and help you decide.

Understanding wealth management

What is wealth management?

Wealth management encompasses a comprehensive approach to managing and growing an individual’s wealth. It extends beyond basic financial planning and encompasses various aspects of an individual’s financial life.

Wealth management considers investment strategies, risk management, tax planning, estate planning, retirement planning, and more.

The aim is to create a cohesive financial plan tailored to meet your specific objectives, both in the short and long term.

What does a wealth manager do?

A wealth manager is a qualified financial professional. They provide a personalised service to help you understand your current financial position, work with you to achieve your goals and objectives and help manage your financial affairs on an ongoing basis.

They’re typically responsible for:

• Assessing your financial situation, considering your assets, liabilities, income, expenses, and goals.
• Developing a personalised financial plan based on your goals and risk tolerance.
• Planning and managing your investment portfolio, considering market conditions and your changing circumstances.
• Identifying risks to your financial well-being and recommending appropriate strategies to mitigate them.
• Planning your estate and retirement to ensure your wealth is protected and passed on according to your wishes.
• Ensuring you remain compliant with tax laws but make the most of all tax efficiencies and reliefs available to you.

Key benefits of working with a wealth manager

As you can imagine, working with a wealth manager has several key benefits:

• Time savings: Managing your wealth requires time and effort. By delegating this responsibility to a wealth manager, you can free up your valuable time for other pursuits.
• Expertise: It’s a wealth manager’s responsibility to keep up with market trends, laws and regulations, and investment strategies, meaning you get the best advice possible.
• Personal touch: Wealth managers tailor their services to your unique circumstances and goals. They consider your risk tolerance, investment needs, and life aspirations to create a personalised financial plan.

Do I need a wealth manager?

So, now we know what role a wealth manager plays in managing your finances and the benefits of retaining their services are clear, it’s time to determine if this is the right option for you.

Clearly, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach here. Whether or not you need a wealth manager depends on your personal circumstances, goals, and, ultimately, preferences. Perhaps you enjoy making financial plans and managing your investments, or perhaps you find the whole thing confusing and tiring. To help decide either way, consider the following questions:

How complex is your financial situation?

Many individuals tend to have a financial landscape involving various assets, investments, income streams, and business interests. Having professional support to help you navigate and optimise your financial affairs means nothing is missed.

Do you have the time and expertise?

Ensuring your investments are working in tandem with your financial goals and addressing tax and estate planning matters requires a substantial amount of time. Moreover, ensuring you’re making the best decisions for your finances requires expert knowledge of several highly complex areas.

Do you need to plan for major life events?

Life events such as retirement, starting a business, or selling a property often involve intricate financial considerations. A wealth manager can assist you in creating a tailored plan, addressing potential risks, and making informed decisions during these pivotal moments.

Can you avoid behavioural biases and emotional decision-making?

A wealth manager provides an objective, third-party perspective, providing oversight and ensuring all decisions are made with your long-term goals in mind.

How do I find a good wealth manager?

As with any service, there’s going to be a lot of variation in the market between different providers, so how do you choose?

Organise a call or meeting. Most advisers will offer a free initial consultation so you can get to know each other better and see if you’ll be a good fit. Things to ask include:

• What’s their background in the industry?
• What’s their style and approach to wealth management?
• What’s their fee structure and compensation?
• How often can you expect reports, updates and meetings?

Finally, trust your instincts and choose a wealth manager with whom you feel comfortable and confident. If it helps, ask yourself these questions:

• Do they communicate well?
• Do I trust them?
• Do they understand my financial goals?

Summary

Working with a wealth manager can be a great way to protect and grow your wealth. If you’re unsure which decisions to make about your wealth or how to go about planning for your future, our services are designed to help provide clarity on your financial position

If you would like to learn more about Gerald Edelman Wealth and the services we provide, feel free to get in touch with me and we can arrange an initial consultation.

This factsheet is only for general informational and educational purposes. They are not offered as and do not constitute financial advice. You should not act or rely on any information contained in this factsheet without first seeking advice from a professional. The Financial Ombudsman Service is available to handle individual complaints that clients and financial services businesses aren’t able to resolve themselves. To contact the Financial Ombudsman Service, please visit this site. Gerald Edelman Wealth Limited is an appointed representative of Best Practice IFA Group Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.