Fees
Our fees are clear and transparent, with no hidden charges. They reflect the value we add to our client’s financial circumstances and reflect our level of service and professionalism.
The right service for your needs
As fee-based financial planners, we charge for our initial advice and planning. If you are a new client, we offer three service levels as part of our offering:
- Financial Plan
- Financial Planning Consultation
- Consultation focusing on one specific area of financial planning:
- Pension and Retirement Consultation
- Savings and Investment Consultation
- Financial Protection Consultation
Everyone has different needs, which is why we don’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach. We tailor our services to your specific circumstances and goals. To better understand our services and their costs, look below. If, after reading this, you are still unsure about which service is suitable for you, get in touch, and we will help determine the best service for your needs.
Why do we charge a fee?
Charging a fee for our initial advice and planning always ensures our impartiality towards our clients. It eliminates any conflict of interest and supports the long-term nature of our relationship with you, which is based on trust and clarity from the outset.
We don’t provide “free consultations” or “free reviews”. Companies that provide these services must cover the cost of their time and, as a result, are forced to try and sell you something to generate a commission, which results in a conflict of interest and a failure to put clients’ needs first.
The value of a financial planner
There is only one reason that someone would seek to work with a financial planner, and that is the belief that they will get value from the advice received.
The benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Saving you time, effort, and concern in respect of your finances
- Saving you money by identifying and removing inefficiencies in your current finances and potentially improving your tax efficiency
- Causing your investments to return higher on average versus a DIY approach
- Prevent common mistakes and own goals and the costs associated with these
The last two points provide you with the highest potential monetary value through financial and behavioural coaching. The value of working with a financial planner is that you will gain certainty about your family’s financial present and future while working towards your goals.
Russell Investments, a leading investment firm, conducted a study that concluded that advisers delivering service and value provided a quantified value of 4.83% per annum.
In addition to this, a study by Vanguard identified seven key areas where advisers can add value, estimating values for each area. The total sum was discovered to be around 3% per annum.
Financial Plan
Cost €1,500*
To build an effective financial plan, we must start by getting to know you and identifying what matters. We then build a financial strategy that supports your objectives, so you can be confident that whatever comes your way, you’ve got a plan.
The financial plan service consists of two meetings. More complex cases may result in additional fees that will be agreed with you prior to work being undertaken.
This service includes:
In-person or remote meetings – whichever is most suitable for you
Preparation by us before your meetings
Detailed financial planning and analysis conducted over two meetings
Assessing your current situation and identifying your goals
Graphical forecast of your financial present and future
Scenario planning for your “what-ifs”
Tailored financial planning report
Understanding your investment risk and risk profile
Recommended solutions based on your situation
Assistance with applications and documentation
*€500 deposit payable upfront, with the balance due following the provision of the financial plan.
Financial Planning Consultation
Cost €997
Our Financial Planning Consultation will help you build a financial future where you are in control. We will talk about any specific financial goals you have for the future and how best to achieve them. This service is suitable for more straightforward cases and is also a great option for a starter service.
This service includes:
Remote meetings
Preparation by us before your meeting
Assessing your current situation and identifying your goals
Graphical forecast of your financial present and future
Understanding investment risk and your risk profile
Recommended solutions based on your situation
Pension and Retirement Consultation - Cost €750
We help you retrieve old pensions, review your pensions, start a new pension, and decide what retirement drawdown option is best for you.
This includes:
Remote meeting
Preparation before our meeting
Focus on your specific pension concern
Assessing your current situation and identifying your goals
Understanding your investment risk and risk profile
Recommended solutions based on your situation, and the setup of these
Assistance with applications and documentation
Savings and Investment Consultation - Cost €750
We help you identify your saving and investing objectives and review your current investments.
This includes:
Remote meeting
Preparation before our meeting
Focus on your specific saving or investing concern
Assessing your current situation and identifying your goals
Understanding your investment risk and risk profile
Recommended solutions based on your situation, and the setup of these
Assistance with applications and documentation
Financial Protection Consultation - Cost €750
We’ll identify if you’re over- or under-insured, and any financial protection gaps you have.
This includes:
Remote meeting
Preparation before our meeting
Focus on your specific financial protection concern
Assessing your current situation and identifying your goals
Recommended solutions based on your situation, and the setup of these
Assistance with applications and documentation
Product set up and ongoing advice:
Set up: Set up: Paid by remuneration from the product provider and/or a fixed fee.
Ongoing advice*: Where invested assets are held, up to 1% is received by us from the ongoing charges figure.
*Up to 1%. The actual % is dependent on the level of investment
Minimum ongoing investment fee
Cost: Minimum of €750 per annum
Where invested assets are held, a minimum annual fee of €750 will apply, which will be reduced by any ongoing remuneration received from the investment provider in that year.
We understand that your circumstances are ever changing and we maintain our relationship with you through our ongoing service. Click the button below to better understand our service and how we differentiate ourselves from other traditional advisers.
Our minimum ongoing service includes:
- Secure client communication portal
- Portfolio risk, asset allocation review and any required rebalance
- Client newsletter and market updates
- Annual portfolio schedule
- Update on legislation changes
- Proactive guidance on all financial matters
- Ad-hoc communications and guidance as required
- Private client relationship
- Updated analysis of risk tolerance and capacity for investment risk
What our clients say
I can highly recommend Francis McTaggart in Fortitude Financial Planning. I have had several experiences with financial planners before Francis and they were more or less the same. That is, they are happy to take your money and provide little or no service in return.
Francis has been a breath of fresh air for me. He is very straightforward and honest. Nothing is too much trouble. He is very knowledgeable and if there something that he isn’t sure of he will research it and get an answer. He is interested in your particular situation and finds solutions best suited to your needs.
It is a minefield out there trying to find the right company/person in financial planning. Francis has recommended changes as my situation has changed and in my opinion this is a crucial part of financial planning.
Gary
Co Meath
When we were in our mid to late 50s we first started to use the financial services of Francis McTaggart. We were looking for someone who could give us non biased pension and financial advice as we were planning to retire early and we needed professional direction as we do not come from a financial background.
We have always found that Francis explained things in layman's terms, and he has always respected our cautious attitude to investments. Whilst we have always found Francis to be the epitome of professionalism, he is always extremely easy and friendly to talk to, and he is always very quick about coming back to us if we contact him with a query. We would without any hesitation highly recommend his services of Fortitude Financial Planning for very sound, personal, expert financial advice and guidance.
Philip & Ingrid
Co Dublin
Francis helped us with some of the most important decisions we would have to make prior to retirement. One of Francis’s strengths is his ability to explain complex financial situations in easy to understand terms. I am also very impressed with how easy it is to contact him and get a speedy reply to any queries. I would have no hesitation in recommending Francis to either friends or ex colleagues and have actually done so.
Colm
Co Dublin
Francis has provided me with holistic advice on how to manage my finances and financial security. His experience and guidance have created solid financial footings for catering for my family and retirement. I have been incredibly pleased with the outcome to date. He has the ability to give an independent view and guidance on options that builds trust and integrity in his service.
Spencer
Co Dublin
I found Francis and the services of Fortitude Financial Planning to be incredibly helpful with dealing with my financial situation. I especially appreciated the personal touch and his patience and understanding. He was very friendly and hands-on and always willing to accommodate me and explain clearly what my options are at a level that made sense to me. I would recommend his services to anyone looking to better understand their finances and options available to them.
Dee
Co Meath
Prior to Fortitude, I felt the service being provided was remote and impersonal. My main concern was wealth management and the most cost-efficient pension planning, particularly ARFs. In both these areas, Francis McTaggart provided valuable advice and managed the implementation of a coordinated plan.
Reliability and the generation of confidence are two key components in the relationship between a client and a financial advisor. Fortitude excels in both of these areas. With Fortitude their easy on contact and provide a realisation that you are going to be provided with the best available options when required. It would be difficult to better Fortitude as a personal wealth and pensions advisor.
Frank
Co Meath
Francis McTaggart has supplied me with excellent impartial advice. He has steered my portfolio professionally and without any issues and I have been more than satisfied. His attention to detail and application of decisions I have taken following in-depth discussions with him has proved worthwhile and very satisfactory. I would have no hesitation in recommending his services.
Richard
Co Dublin
Highly recommend Fortitude. Excellent service and speaks in a way helps you understand and not confuse you. Finances can be scary and I found this service has knocked that on the head. No judgment only help.
Barbara
Co Offaly
Would highly recommend fortitude financial planning. Straightforward, plain English and looks after you. No judgement. Excellent service.
Jonathan
Co Offaly
Francis at Fortitude Financial Planning provided sound and comprehensive financial advice. Francis is very professional and knowledgeable in the area of finance and communicates regularly with his clients . I would recommend Francis to anyone in need of financial planning.
Sinead
Co Louth
Fortitude Financial Planning has provided us with a very personal service with well thought out advice. All financial advice and proposals were explained very clearly to us and we felt that our very best interests were being served. All communication is very efficient and clear and at no time did we feel rushed into making a decision. We would highly recommend Fortitude Financial Planning to anyone seeking genuine, professional and one-to-one review and advice of their finances, pensions etc.
Elizabeth
Co Dublin
Fortitude went way beyond expectations. Their personal service is 2nd to none. Everything was cleanly explained in layman's language which was refreshing compared to previous experience. I have no hesitation recommending them.
Michael
Co Dublin
I’ve worked with Francis for a number of years and can attest to his professionalism, integrity and responsiveness to our financial needs.
His communication style is excellent and extremely clear and he gives a balanced and well thought through suite of advice.
Very happy with all that Francis has done for me over the years and fully endorse and recommend him to any prospective client.
Iain
Co Dublin
My experience with this Company has been very positive.
Weekly information bulletins on market trends and a very informative blog as well. Great advice and direction on Investment. and constant updates.
Available for a phone call anytime if required very professional and helpful. I would recommend this Company for Investment and Pensions.
Maurice
Co Limerick
Francis provides that all important combination of solid advice and personal service while keeping everything as simple as possible. He is one of the " good guys".
Niall
Co Wicklow
I would highly recommend Fortitude Financial Planning.
Francis is a true professional, he is extremely knowledgeable in his field and his level of communication and support throughout the whole process is second to none. As this was my first experience with a financial planner I found Francis to be extremely helpful in identifying my needs and opportunities and executing a simple and easy to follow plan of action.
Francis was extremely responsive and attentive at all times and really helped make the process as simple as possible. I would have no hesitation in recommending him to anyone.
Gillian
Co Kildare
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