IFP Conference: First accredited firms named

The Institute of Financial Planning (IFP) has named the first 25 businesses to be included in its register of Accredited Financial Planning Firms.

In August, the organisation announced it would be introducing the register with the aim of pointing consumers towards firms which "do what they say on the tin".

Criteria for inclusion includes a consistent fee structure and the provision of cashflow modelling. Firms must pay £750 annually, with an additional £25 per FSA-registered adviser who is an IFP member and £75 for non-members.

Speaking at the IFP conference, which is marking the organisation's 25th anniversary, chief executive Nick Cann explained why the register was created.

He said: "After 25 years we recognise there a lot of firms which are becoming a lot more consistent in their delivery of financial planning.

"The bigger the register, the better job we will ultimately be able to do."

He also noted the fact the first 25 firms encompassed a range of sizes and added the register would be promoted to consumers during National Financial Planning Week (21-27 November).

The first 25 firms are:

Stafford & Co.
Navigator Financial Planning
Morton-Wilson
Fortitude Financial Planning
Dunham Financial Services
Forty Two Wealth Management
Fort Financial Planning
Lumen Financial Planning
Penguin
Piercefield Asset Management
Baigrie Davies & Company
Mazars Financial Planning
1st Chartered Financial Planning
Planning for Life
Perceptive Planning 
Bourlet Wealth Management
Eldon Financial Planning
Prestwood Etheridge & Russell
Index Wealth Management
Smart Financial Planning
Brook-Dobson Brear
BoulterBowen WealthCare
Paradigm Norton Financial Planning
Page Russell
Bloomsbury Financial Planning

Another four firms (Bluefin Wealth Management, Broadway Financial Planning, HS Wealth Management, Tower Hill Associates) are also waiting to be included in the register.