The managing director of Acumen Financial Planning has hailed the company’s achievement in reaching the final of the annual Institute of Financial Planning (IFP) awards following a ceremony last night (October 6).
The independent financial advisor was shortlisted in the Accredited Financial Planning Firm of the Year category and was commended for its strong impact on the financial planning profession over the last 12 months.
The Aberdeen-based business, which provides financial planning services to more than 1,700 clients in the UK, was judged on its business performance, innovation and service excellence. The judging panel consisted of IFP president Rebecca Taylor, former editor of Money Management and IFP board member Janet Walford OBE, IFP chief executive Steve Gazzard and Brett Davidson of FP Advance. Other Scottish companies shortlisted for the award were AAB Wealth and Carbon Financial Partners.
Sandy Robertson, managing director of Acumen Financial Planning, said: “We would like to congratulate PKF Cooper Parry on winning the IFP award last night. It was a tremendous achievement to have been shortlisted alongside such respected businesses in the financial sector.
“We pride ourselves on being the architects of financial promise. We are leaders, not followers in our profession and provide the highest calibre of counsel to companies, business owners and private individuals alike. To be acknowledged for our work as a finalist in such a respected award is a huge honour.
“We have one of the most highly qualified and able teams of financial planners in Scotland and I would like to thank my colleagues for their continued dedication and professionalism.
“Despite challenges to the local market from the current downturn in the oil price there remains a clear need for qualified and innovative financial planning services – indeed perhaps even more so.”
Innovation is at the heart of Acumen Financial Planning’s culture. As an example, the company has designed planning tools and processes to ensure clients receive a crystal clear view on the financial direction in which they are headed.
Acumen Financial Planning has gone from strength to strength in recent years with sustained high levels of client referral, retention and new business. The company now employs 28 staff over five sites across the UK with the most recent office in Elgin opening in 2014.
The award shortlist represents the latest success for Acumen Financial Planning. The company achieved Chartered Status from the Chartered Institute of Insurers earlier this year, and were also finalists in the Professional Adviser Awards 2015.