This means that Citywide Financial Partners have joined an “elite list” of 75 Accredited Firms which have demonstrated their professionalism by meeting the highest standards of excellence in Financial Planning, says the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.

For a firm to become an Accredited Financial Planning Firm^TM it must:

• Provide evidence that it meets strict criteria in relation to the delivery of Financial Planning
• Place clients at the heart of its business proposition and ensure they receive consistently excellent service
• Re-confirm it meets the standards on an annual basis to retain its Accredited Financial Planning Firm^TM status.

In addition, at least 50% of the firm’s FCA registered advisers must be qualified as a Certified Financial Planner^TM (CFP^TM) professional or Chartered Financial Planners (with AF5). At least one director/partner of the firm must be a current CFP^TM professional.

Consumers can find the list of Accredited Firms in their area by accessing the CISI’s Wayfinder listing at http://www.financialplanning.org.uk/wayfinder.

Clinton Askew, founder of Citywide Financial Partners said: “Becoming a CISI Accredited Financial Planning Firm provides strong external recognition of our commitment to the highest ethical and professional practice standards in Financial Planning. It means we’ve been able to demonstrate our commitment to placing our clients at the very heart of everything we do. Financial Planning isn’t just about the money but the time we take to learn about the whole of our clients’ lives before we even think about providing recommendations about what to do with their money.”

Sam Rees-Adams, CISI’s Head of External Accreditation said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Citywide Financial Partners as our latest Accredited Financial Planning Firm^TM. They have joined our register of firms by demonstrating dedication to putting the client at the centre of their business. We congratulate them on joining the Accredited Financial Planning Firm^TM community.”