What to bring to a first financial advice meeting

The first meeting with a financial adviser works best when both sides can see the same facts. You do not need a perfect filing system — only recent documents and honest estimates of what leaves the household each month.

Documents that save time

Bring the latest annual statement for each pension, even old workplace schemes. Add ISA and general investment valuations, mortgage offers or annual statements, and any life or critical-illness policy schedules. If you have a will or lasting power of attorney, noting where they are stored is enough; we rarely need the full deed on day one.

Figures that matter more than precision

A rough monthly budget — rent or mortgage, utilities, childcare, travel, and discretionary spending — tells us more than a polished spreadsheet. Note upcoming changes: a bonus that will stop, a parental leave period, or a planned house move in Wales or elsewhere in the UK.

Questions worth writing down

Clients often leave the meeting wishing they had asked about State Pension forecasts, whether a defined-benefit transfer is even on the table, or how advice fees will be paid. Write three questions beforehand. We structure the session around them so the hour is not spent solely on gathering data.

If you are arranging a call with Anchor House, email copies ahead when you can. That lets us spend the meeting on priorities rather than reading policy numbers aloud.