Imagine walking into your annual financial review and leaving not just with numbers, but with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of direction.
For clients, this kind of experience builds trust and deepens relationships. For advisers, it’s a chance to deliver real value beyond portfolio updates. But turning a review meeting into a meaningful, forward-focused conversation doesn’t happen by accident. It requires thoughtful preparation, a structured process, and a client-first mindset. Here’s how to make every review meeting efficient, engaging, and genuinely impactful.
Financial advisers should follow a structured yet client-centric process to conduct efficient and valuable review meetings. Preparation is key. Advisers should review the client’s current financial plan, investment performance, recent transactions, and any life changes since the last meeting. Gathering this data in advance allows the adviser to tailor the discussion to the client’s evolving needs.
The meeting should begin with a warm re-engagement, allowing space for the client to share any personal or financial developments. This not only builds rapport but also uncovers new planning opportunities. Advisers should then revisit the client’s goals to ensure they remain relevant and realistic, considering any changes in circumstances or market conditions.
A clear review of investment performance and portfolio alignment follows. This should be presented in a jargon-free, transparent manner, highlighting how the portfolio supports the client’s objectives and risk tolerance. If adjustments are needed, explain the rationale behind any proposed changes.
The adviser should also proactively discuss wider financial planning areas, such as tax efficiency, pensions, protection, estate planning, or cash flow modelling. Bringing these topics into the conversation demonstrates holistic thinking and adds real value beyond investment returns.
Before concluding, summarise key outcomes, agreed actions, and responsibilities. Confirm any follow-up steps and timelines. Providing a succinct, written summary after the meeting reinforces professionalism and clarity.
Finally, invite feedback on the meeting itself. Continuous improvement in client experience fosters trust and long-term relationships. A structured yet flexible approach, focused on listening, clarity, and forward planning, ensures review meetings are both efficient and genuinely valuable.
AstuteWheel Process & Client Review Report
- Update client information in the fact find database
- Ensure that each goal is assigned to one or more advice segments
- Add some text to the “Segment Advice” section for each segment plan
- Give client access to full client portal
- Send review questionnaires (decide which ones) plus goals, financial health check and changes questionnaire to the clients
- Review the client’s changes and accept/ reject them and review their comments
- Update client goals
- Update the client’s wealth projections and risk needs analysis and flag them
- Check client’s risk profiles to see if still appropriate
- Update the scope if required and “lock”
- Generate the review doc
