An advice meeting works best when both sides can see the same numbers. We send a document list after booking, and this guide explains why each item matters so you are not gathering papers in the dark.
Start with identity and tax basics: a recent P60 or self-assessment summary, National Insurance number, and proof of address. Then add pension statements dated within the last twelve months, including any deferred defined benefit schemes.
Investment and savings statements come next — ISAs, general accounts, Premium Bonds, and cash held for emergencies. Note interest rates where relevant. For protection, bring existing life or illness policy schedules so we do not recommend overlapping cover.
A simple spending note helps more than a perfect budget spreadsheet. List mortgage or rent, utilities, groceries, childcare, and discretionary costs. Round figures are fine; we refine them together.
Arrive with questions written down. Clients who ask about inheritance tax, school fees, or selling a business often leave with clearer priorities than those who wait for the adviser to guess. Our MacGyverford office and video meetings use the same agenda structure, so preparation pays off either way.