AKFP is widely known in the profession for its family-friendly and innovative staff practices including closing the office in July each year so staff can work from home.

The office hours of 8am – 4pm have also been adapted with family and a healthy work life balance in mind, the firm says.

The firm’s staff celebrated in the office recently.

BS 8577 is the best practice standard for financial advice and planning firms and was developed by industry, consumer and professional experts along with the British Standards Institute.

AKFP believes it is the only Financial Planning firm in Northern Ireland to hold the certification and is one of a handful of planners in the UK who have achieved the accolade.

Director Roger Kennedy and senior Financial Planner Michael Kirkwood have been personally awarded ISO 22222 which is an internationally agreed benchmark for a high global standard of service.

The standard covers ethical behavior, competence and experience. Mr Kennedy and Mr Kirkwood Roger and Michael are believed to be the only two planners in Northern Ireland to be awarded this.

Mr Kennedy is also the only planner in Northern Ireland to hold a Master of Life Planning title from the Kinder Institute of Life Planning.