SOUTHWOOD FINANCIAL PLANNING: COMPANY PROFILE
Let’s be honest, few people run toward financial planning. Most prefer to “not adult today,” while others bury their heads in the sand and hope the problem disappears. Yet, as George Addair said, “Everything you’ve ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear.”
At Southwood Financial Planning (FSP 13566), our mission is to reduce that fear through sound, honest advice and highly personalised, professional, holistic financial planning solutions. We focus on building strong, long-term relationships by truly understanding your needs, ambitions, aspirations, and concerns. Where necessary, we extend our offering through our established network of accountants, fiduciary and tax specialists, short-term insurers, and investment professionals.
“A big part of financial freedom is having your heart and mind free from worry about the what-ifs of life.” Suze Orman.
IDEAL CLIENT
Everyone qualifies as an ideal client. No matter where you are in your life journey, it is never too early nor too late to plan; we welcome the opportunity to navigate alongside you as the young professional or the accomplished retiree.
FINANCIAL PLANNING PHILOSOPHY
Southwood Planning follows the FPI’s six steps of financial planning with all clients. Our value lies in our holistic approach, where the process focuses on return on investment as well as a return on life. Placing significant importance on an individual’s interests and passions, history and circumstances, priorities and aspirations, allows for deeper, more meaningful conversation leading to a greater understanding. All of which form the basis for the sound management of finances and achievement of personal goals; every small decision and adjustment made to the overall financial plan over time, adds the greatest value. Wholly independent, we ensure investments are appropriately diversified across asset classes, geographical locations, accessing a wide range of product providers and services. Continuous review and recommendations, reducing costs where possible and ensuring tax efficiencies protects you and your families through appropriate risk and estate planning.
PROFESSIONALISM
Southwood adheres to the highest standard of competency, professionalism and ethical conduct. An all-female team, we are one of only 16 FPI Approved Professional Practices® in South Africa. Our standards and principles are aligned with the leading independent professional body for financial advisers in South Africa (FPI) who stand for high ethical standards, ongoing professional development and commitment to uplifting the industry as a whole.
Our team members are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals; an internationally recognised academic mark of excellence.
FINANCIAL PLANNING FEE
Fees are determined based on time as portfolios are very diverse. Quotations are provided for consultations and the compilation of financial plans. Annual asset-based fees are charged for the ongoing management of a portfolio.
SERVICES
Our services include:
Personal financial planning:
- Cash flow management and budgeting
- Risk management (life, disability, income protection and severe illness benefits)
- Investment advice
- Retirement planning (including options on resignation and retrenchment)
- Estate planning
- Tax planning
Business financial planning:
- Employee benefits
- Group schemes
- Business assurance (Buy-and-sell agreements, key-person assurance and deferred compensation agreements)
- Succession planning
Legal Matters:
- Business arrangements
- Trusts
- Wills
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
Social Responsibility
Giving to community initiatives is not just part of our corporate social responsibility; we support groups affecting change daily in ways we only wish we could, lining up with our own values, interests and passions.
Green Pop is contributing towards conservation and restoring ecosystems across Sub-Saharan Africa. With over 100,000 trees planted to date, they work towards revegetation in urban greening and reforestation. Constrained by compliance, we are a paper-intensive industry and while we continuously strive to reduce paper usage, we are unable to eliminate it completely. Supporting Greenpop brings balance to our paper usage.
Sparrow Society is working towards a more equal and unified society through skills development, job creation and enterprise development. “Changing the world one really cool product at a time”, Sparrow Society offers a sustainable business model that empowers its creators with the experience, training and opportunity for upward growth while creating a high-quality, reliable product and service for some of South Africa’s most reputable brands and companies.
The Cart Horse Protection Association (CHPA) is an animal welfare organisation, started in 1995 to improve the welfare of the working cart horses on the Cape Flats. It has become a centre of excellence for working equine welfare through service provision, legislation, education and training.