The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) has recognised three new Financial Planning firms for achieving Accredited Financial Planning Firm status.

The three firms are: Ashlea Financial Planning based in Cheltenham, boosst Limited based in Bedfordshire and The Fundamental Group based in Surrey.

The three firms join a list of 72 Accredited Firms which have met the “highest standards of excellence in Financial Planning”, says the CISI. Accredited Financial Planning Firm status is the CISI equivalent of Chartered Financial Planning Firm.

For a firm to become a CISI Accredited Financial Planning Firm it must:

•evidence that it meets strict criteria in delivering Financial Planning

•place clients at the heart of its business and ensure they receive consistently excellent service

•re-confirm it meets the standards on an annual basis to retain its Accredited status.

In addition, the firm’s individual or supervisor in charge of all FCA-registered Financial Planners offering a Financial Planning service must be qualified as a Certified Financial Planner professionals or the majority of the Financial Planners in the company must be Certified Financial Planner professionals.

Consumers can find the list of Accredited Firms on the CISI’s Wayfinder website.

Diane Weitz CFP Chartered MCSI, director of Ashlea Financial Planning, said: “With a commitment to Financial Planning and with two planners holding the CFP designation, becoming an Accredited Financial Planning Firm seemed a natural progression as we seek to establish our ongoing professionalism - especially since having won the David Norton Award in 2017.”

Keith Butten CFP Chartered FCSI, director of boosst Limited, said: “With the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment being the professional body for Financial Planners such as ourselves, it seemed obvious that boosst should demonstrate our beliefs by becoming an Accredited Financial Planning Firm. 

Craig Chapman CFP Chartered MCSI, the founder and managing director of The Fundamental Group, said: “We are thrilled to become the latest Accredited Financial Planning Firm with the CISI and to join a very select group of the UK’s top Financial Planning firms.”

Jacqueline Lockie CFP Chartered FCSI, head of Financial Planning at the CISI, praised the firms for their focus on consistent high standards of Financial Planning advice, commitment to clients and their support of the CISI.