We can advise you on
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Financial planning
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Investments
- Investing for income
- Investment trusts
- ISAs
- OEICs
- Offshore investments
- Socially responsible investments
- Traded endowment policies
- Unit trusts
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Pensions & retirement
- Annuity purchase
- Auto enrolment
- Pension consolidation
- Pension drawdown
- Pensions & divorce
- Pensions & retirement planning
- Pensions review
- Pensions transfer
- Sipps
- Stakeholder
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Insurance & protection
- Accident & sickness
- Buildings and contents
- Commercial motor
- Critical illness
- Healthcare
- Home and leisure
- Income protection insurance
- Large business
- Life insurance
- Payment protection insurance
- Small business
- Travel
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Business
- Commercial mortgages
- Corporate pension
- Employee benefits
- Group critical illness
- Group income protection
- Group ISA
- Group life insurance
- Group pensions
- Group private medical insurance
- Group protection
- Group risk
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Tax & trust planning
- Capital gains tax
- Estate planning
- Income tax
- Taxation planning
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Savings
- Lump sum
- National savings
- Regular savings
- Savings for children
- School fees planning
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Long term care
Meet our advisers
Paul Smith DipPFS, Cert CII (MP)
Independent Financial Adviser
Qualifications & Accreditations
Hide qualifications
CeMAP - Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (IFS)
This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the UK regulation environment in the financial services industry, mortgage products, repayment options and the giving of mortgage advice.
Dip PFS - Personal Finance Society Diploma (PFS)
To achieve DipPFS individuals must achieve 140 credits. At least 80 credits must be at Diploma or AFPC level.
R01 - Financial Services, Regulation and Ethics (CII)
This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the financial services industry, including regulation, legislation and the Code of Ethics.
R02 - Investment Principles (CII)
This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of investment products and the application of the investment advice process.
R05 - Financial Protection (CII)
This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of an ability to analyse financial protection planning issues.
R04 - Pensions and Retirement Planning (CII)
This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of an ability to analyse pension and retirement planning issues.
CF8 - Certificate in Long-Term Care Insurance (CII)
This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the UK regulation environment in the financial services industry, long term care insurance products and the giving of long term care insurance advice.
What our clients say
Paul did exactly what he said he would, arrived on time, and with a real desire to find out how he could help. His honest and genuine approach brought a breath of fresh air to a subject I often try to avoid. Paul is a good and active listener, and in doing so is able to quickly get a view on the 'big picture' of your finances, which is vital for any adviser. He is well-connected and is generous in sharing these other potentially helpful business contacts with you.
Alison, Edey
My case was complex, so Paul enlisted the help of a specialist in Pensions, so that I had all options available to me. Ultimately, the decision on which course to take was mine, but I had a lot of information available on which to base my decision. I wasn't pushed or pulled in any direction, but I was given answers to my questions. As a result, I'm now in a good position to retire in the next 12-18 months. Since my case was so complex, Paul recommended that I employed an accountant to do my Tax return and this resulted in considerable Tax rebates coming back to me. I was happy with this advice and grateful for the suggestion.
Brian, Davies
Paul came to my house after initial contact he went through the available schemes in depth and was able to help me transfer my pension promptly despite very difficult circumstances related to my old provider.
Paul, Bumby
Paul is a friendly, approachable person. He explains things clearly and doesn't mind repeating things if you don't quite understand things. Everything he promises to do he does. He contacts us regularly and doesn't mind us contacting him and always gets back to us - he doesn't make us feel as if we are wasting his time. We are very happy with the way Paul deals with us
Katrina Thomas, Risca
Paul is not only a fantastic IFA, but he also speaks on a level that even I can understand when it comes to finances.
I was in a bit of a mess with some insurances we had been basically mi-sold when buying a new home, Paul spent an hour and half of his own time helping me not only decide which to stay and which go, but the general advice was fantastic for me.
Paul has also sorted Professional Indemnity Insurance for my business and has finally got me on the road with a pension, two things I have been putting off mainly because I did not understand what I needed and secondly I didn't want to be sold something that was not right.
Both professionally and personally Paul is a great contact to have and top drawer in his niche.
Ian Spencer, Lydney
I contacted Paul in lieu of impending retirement, he came already highly recommended. I have very limited understanding of how all the financial 'stuff' works and found Paul to be very professional and helpful despite my lack of awareness. He listened to all the issues that I had, then explained and clarified examples of how they could be dealt with and then put solutions in place to deal with them. His expertise and advice has proved very effective to date
Hilary Berger, Dingestow
First impressions count. Paul is an articulate, knowledgeable and personable individual who gives excellent financial advice. I was impressed as he took the time to understand the complexities of my situation, reflecting on the discussion and then sending through relevant material to aid my understanding and to inform future planning. Thank you Paul.
What I found helpful was the email you sent through in response to my questions at our meeting. As a reflective practitioner it is always helpful for me to see a summary of key points discussed
Debra Wilson, Soudley
I have known Paul for many years having dealt with him with Abacus Associates Financial Advisers. I find him always reliable, very amiable and easy to deal with. He is able to advise in an easy to understand way and gives an overall view of the particular investment we are discussing.
I have invested funds with Paul several times, he has always given good advice and the investments placed with him have done well.
He has dealt with my pension, family investments and long term estate planning and I will continue to use his services with confidence.
Philip Pritchard, Caldicot
About us
Thanks for taking the time to read my profile, a little about me:
I've been in this profession since 1998 and over this time there hasn't been a lot that I haven't seen with changes in legislation and market performance over the period.
In my spare time I really enjoy spending time with my children taking them to their various club/sports activities. I enjoy eating out and socialising with friends. I'm a extremely keen (but poor) technology geek and as my wife will testify too - pretty useless at DIY.
Understanding the vast world of investments and pensions can be a minefield...........translating the array of jargon used when trying to understand your options can also be confusing.
These are some of the areas I can really help you with:
* Investing in a tax efficient manner
* understanding and minimising investment risk
* early retirement planning
* taking pension benefits
* organising your financial "game plan"
Qualifications ARE very important in this profession but the best advisers are the ones who combine this with many years of experience and possess the skills, solutions and on the job knowledge clients require.
Thank you for reading this overview - get in touch
Our services
Very experienced dealing with clients retiring planning and looking at their options, especially when it comes to taking benefits.
Equally experienced helping clients get the best they can out of their investments.
Compliance
Abacus Associates Financial Services is a trading style of Tavistock Partners (UK) Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FCA number 230342.
Tavistock Partners (UK) Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tavistock Investments Plc
Registered in England Registered Office: 1 Bracknell Beeches, Old Bracknell Lane, Bracknell RG12 7BW, Company Number 05709133
Will writing is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage
The firm is not responsible for the content of external links
