Take control with Compliance First by your side

As a Member of a network you might be considering if direct authorisation is the right option for you. With so much to think about the prospect of becoming directly authorised can be overwhelming – but there is a way to get the best of both worlds.

At Compliance First we've worked with our Clients to develop a formula that gives you complete control of your business as a directly authorised firm, whilst receiving the compliance and business support of a professional and proficient organisation, supporting you in every aspect of your business. As consultants we don't interfere in the way you run your business, we ensure you have access to all the advice, tools and resources you need to be compliant and successful.

Our Business Development team will assist you in completing your FSA application to the highest specification ensuring the process is as smooth as possible. You can use our online tracking facility to monitor the status of your application and contact your Applications Manager at any time to discuss the progress of your application.

To find out if direct authorisation is suitable for you contact one of our experienced team for an informal chat on 0141 616 4161 and select option 4 or click here for your free guide to becoming directly authorised.

Compliance First is committed to providing you as an adviser with everything you need in the run up to the implementation of the Retail Distribution Review (RDR). As a result Compliance First support a number of independent programmes which will ensure advisers have the opportunity to gain the appropriate qualifications as well as have the resources to hand to ensure your business model meets the requirements outlined.

New Model Business Academy (NMBA)

This not for profit company is dedicated to providing training and development to everyone in, or wanting to join, the financial services profession. The NMBA is free to join and will assist you and your staff in gaining professional qualifications. The sharing of ideas through networking with your peers and identifying best practice that you can implement in your business as well as succession planning when it comes to the time when you feel you're ready to move on.

To learn more about the NMBA click here

Success Through Action

This comprehensive initiative focuses on how to achieve the best for both your business and your own personal development, delivered through a series of events and supported by detailed fact sheets and action plans. Compliance First is committed to delivering everything advisers need to operate compliantly and successfully in a post RDR world. The Success Through Action programme aims to help advisers with real challenges such as wider investment research, VAT, charging models and client agreements, an invaluable resource in helping you build a better business pre and post RDR.

To learn more about Success Through Action click here

There's no danger of cutting corners with our compliance support

As an advisory firm ensuring you're complying with the FSA's guidelines and regulations is an integral part of your business. And ensuring you're meeting all the requirements isn't something any adviser firm can afford to get wrong. With Compliance First you'll receive:

• Compliance Visits - as part of your core package, our experienced field team will assist you in ensuring your processes and files are meeting key criteria. After each visit you'll receive a detailed report outlining any areas for your attention.
• Additional Compliance & Training Days - additional specialised visits, tailored specifically to your needs, assisting you in the creation of your client proposition, on-site file reviews, systems and controls or staff training are available for an additional charge.
• Access to the Technical Helpdesk - our knowledgeable and experienced team are only ever a phone call away, find the answers you need as and when compliance queries arise.
• Additional Technical Support - Our Technical team is also available to provide support for bespoke work such as remedial action following an FSA visit, and the production of tailored training material to name a few examples (additional charges apply).
• Access to the specialist Pensions Helpdesk - with the ever changing rules and guidelines around pensions and tax benefits, we have a specialist technical helpdesk, designed to help you address this key area for your clients. The Pensions team are G60 qualified and have all previously worked in IFA practices, so you can be confident you're getting the very best advice.
• File checks - we will review a small sample of advice files during our on site visits however, gain added peace of mind that your processes for delivering advice and determining the best solutions for your clients follows the parameters set out by the regulator by engaging our Compliance Services Unit at an additional cost. Our experienced team can check a set percentage or number of files and will make recommendations allowing you to incorporate any improvements in the future.
• Treating Customers Fairly - TCF will be imbedded into your practice firmly but as stipulated by the regulator there's always room for development. The Compliance First TCF toolkit is a constructive resource in ensuring you're always putting your clients first.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance - as part of our service, we'll offer you an exclusive PII arrangement, as well as offer you access to specialist brokers to source the best quote for you. Our dedicated Business Support team will assist you with your renewal and help you obtain the best terms for your business. There is no cost for the sourcing of your insurance all you have to pay is your competitive annual premium.
• Online Compliance Library - from fact find templates and suitability letters to advice on helping you recruit new staff this comprehensive resource area includes an extensive range of documentation and guidelines that you can access as and when you require. Here you can reference important updates as well as accessing concise summaries of the key requirements you need be aware of for each element of your practice.
• Regulatory Review - if you are considering acquiring another business we can conduct a detailed evaluation including a regulatory review. We will prepare a comprehensive report on the general standards of the firm and outline any esoteric or high-risk areas, ensuring you have the information you need to make an objective decision. This service is available for an additional charge.
• Training & Competence Scheme - Compliance First will assist with your staff development and assessments to ensure you're meeting your business and regulatory requirements. From skills observations and knowledge testing to KPI analysis and review, for an additional charge, Compliance First will ensure your staff are receiving the ongoing support they need as well as ensuring they're making the best contribution to the business.
• Fit & Proper Checks - When recruiting you need to be satisfied that the candidate has the competence, experience and integrity to be involved in the provision of the highest standards of advice. Let Compliance First carry out the fit and proper checks and provide you with the information you need to assess if the candidate meets the standards you require within your firm. This service is available at an additional charge.

Cutting edge adviser tools ready and waiting for you

As an Adviser having access to a range of cutting edge tools can help your practice in a range of key areas. From assisting you in identifying your client's requirements to the tools you need to conduct research and deliver advice, as well as helping you increase business efficiency – with Compliance First you'll automatically be granted access to a wide range of tools that our Clients have already tried and tested, saving you time going through all the market options as well as significant costs – as many tools are included at no extra cost.

• Complimentary risk profiling tool – save up to £85 per month with Compliance First. With the FSA placing more emphasis on the importance of assessing your client's ability and willingness to take risk, this complimentary tool provided to Compliance First Clients has been developed by Distribution Technology and meets all the criteria outlined by the regulator. 'Dynamic Planner' is easy to use and its tangible components such as the bespoke client reporting system can assist you in enhancing your client proposition especially in relation to developing a fee charging model.
• Discounted Synaptic Licence – save up to £55 per month with Compliance First. The Synaptic suite of research tools provided by Capita, the UK's leading provider of research software, are a great set of tools to assist you in the search and selection of products.
• Complimentary Rayner Spencer Mills Funds Research Tool - this independent research tool is an excellent resource in helping you to evaluate the most appropriate funds for your client's investments.
• Company website - attracting clients is a vital part of your business, that's why Compliance First provide you with a cost effective personalised website, allowing you to showcase your services and promote your practice online (small admin and hosting fee applies).
• Exclusive accounting software tool - Accounting Solutions is a bespoke bookkeeping system, designed with GABRIEL reporting in mind. For a small fee each month, the system could potentially save you and your staff hours of work every time you need to submit your GABRIEL report.
• Discounted Intelliflo Licence - with Compliance First you'll benefit from significant discounts on Intelligent Office's client management and workflow system. This web based, front and back-office technology solution which delivers significant time and cost-saving efficiencies will seamlessly fit into your existing business processes.
• Verbatim - The Compliant Investment Process - this robust and repeatable end to end investment process is available to Compliance First Clients at no extra charge. It incorporates Distribution Technology's risk profiling tool as well as assisting you in determining your client's ideal asset allocation and identifying suitable funds. With complete transparency of underlying investments and clear fund descriptions, you can be confident that Verbatim really is a robust end to end investment process.
• Client Newsletters - winning new clients as well as retaining your existing client base is integral to your success as an adviser firm. However, developing suitable content in a professional format can be extremely time consuming as well as very expensive. Compliance First can provide you with regular newsletters, pre designed and compliance checked, simply upload your company logo and you can access a range of newsletters to send out by post or email at very competitive prices.
• Selectapension - Compliance First Clients benefit from up to 45% discount on this suite of on-line Transfer Analysis, Retirement Planning, Lifetime Limit calculation and Income Drawdown tools for IFAs.
• Legal Advice - Simply Legal and Associates is a great initiative that will not only enhance the service you provide to clients but will also present you with a new revenue stream. This specialist venture, run in conjunction with APS Legal & Associates Ltd, aids Compliance First Clients in providing clients with estate planning advice and will writing.

Supporting you throughout every step of your business

Supporting you in every aspect of your business is something we're extremely passionate about and there's great value from learning from one another as well as developing ideas together. Compliance First is always working to ensure you have access to the expertise and ideas you need to help you with your personal development. Compliance First staff are always just a phone call away and we're keen to ensure we're not just your compliance and business support provider but an extension of your business.

• Your complete RDR Programme - delivered by the New Model Business Academy (NMBA), 'Success Through Action' is a comprehensive initiative focusing on how to achieve the best for both your business and your own personal development, delivered through a series of events and supported by detailed fact sheets and action plans. Compliance First is committed to delivering everything advisers need to operate compliantly and successfully in a post RDR world. The NMBA Success Through Action programme aims to help advisers with real challenges such as wider investment research, VAT, charging models and client agreements, an invaluable resource in helping you build a better business pre and post RDR.
• Mortgage & General Insurance Club - the mortgage club includes attractive commercial terms and remuneration as well as discounts on TrigoldCrystal and All New Mortgage Brain - everything you need to research and place mortgage business. In addition there's a whole range of ancillary products designed to ensure you can offer your clients a complete service.
• Free to attend events - as a Client you'll have the opportunity to attend an extensive range of local events. Specialising in a range of subject areas including, investment forums, mortgage meetings and pensions workshops, take the opportunity to network with other advisers, share thoughts on best practice and come away with some new ideas to implement in your business, as well as gaining CPD points, making the events an invaluable use of your time.
• Regular Newsletter - for advisers like you, there is much to keep up to date on, from vital changes in FSA rules and guidelines to new industry developments we know you could benefit from. As a busy adviser, we'll make it as simple as possible for you to access this information. Compliance First will provide you with succinct regular summaries of the key items you need to be aware of. Accessed online you can be confident you have up to the minute information that keeps you in the know.
• Learning & Development Centre - Compliance First is committed to helping you be compliant and successful in an ever-changing regulatory and commercial landscape. The online resources will help you keep up to date with technical and regulatory content. You can sit a variety of examinations, access resources such as presentations and reading materials, as well as receiving feedback on your exam performance by email.