What is fixed financial planning?
Financial advice should be simple, transparent and fair. At Xentum, we believe the percentage-based charging model no longer serves clients well. That is why our service is built around fixed fee financial planning clear, consistent pricing that reflects real work and genuine value, not the size of your portfolio
We are one of the UK’s leading advocates for transparent financial advice, helping people make informed decisions through our Movement of Clarity
Who this works best for
-
Families who want clarity and control over their future
-
Business owners who don’t want their adviser’s fees to grow just because their company does
-
People who value straight, conflict-free advice more than complicated products
The big questions
Fixed fee financial planning means you pay for advice, not assets. Instead of a percentage that increases as your portfolio grows, you agree a transparent cost upfront. That fee covers the full planning process from discovery through to recommendations and review, with no hidden percentages, no commissions and no incentives that influence the advice you receive.
You know exactly what you are paying and why. The fee reflects the time, expertise and regulatory work involved, not market movements or investment balances. This creates a more honest relationship where the focus stays on your goals, your progress and the decisions that matter most to you giving you clarity, fairness and confidence from the start.
If you’re not sure how your adviser charges, that’s usually a sign to start asking questions.
-
1Question 01
What exactly am I paying for?
You are paying for professional advice, detailed planning and ongoing support, not for the size of your portfolio. The fee reflects the time, expertise and regulatory work required to build a plan that genuinely supports your goals.
-
2Question 02
Why is a fixed fee fairer than a percentage charge?
A fixed fee is based on the work involved, not the value of your assets. It removes the imbalance where two clients with similar needs are charged differently and ensures every recommendation is made for the right reason.
-
3Question 03
How do I know the advice is independent and unbiased?
Fixed fees remove the incentives that can influence advice. With no commissions or percentage-based income, the focus stays entirely on what is best for you, supported by our FCA regulation and transparent process.
-
4Question 04
What should a fair financial planning fee include?
A fair fee covers the full journey: discovery, analysis, planning, recommendations and review. Everything is explained upfront, so you know exactly what you will receive and what it will cost before any work begins.
Why Percentage Fees Don’t Reflect Value Anymore
Percentage-based charging was created when advisers were mainly investment managers. The industry still uses the line “when you succeed, we succeed” as proof of alignment but in reality, it means the adviser’s income rises automatically when markets go up, even if nothing about the work changes. Modern financial planning deserves better than that.
Fixed fees remove that conflict and put the focus back where it belongs: on the client, the planning and the decisions that move a life forward
Compare fees with our free calculator
-
1Question 01
Isn’t “when you succeed, we succeed” a sign of alignment?
Not really. It simply means the adviser earns more when your investments rise, even if they haven’t done anything extra to support you. It’s a commission by another name. Fixed fees break that link and ensure the planner is paid for their work, not your market performance.
-
2Question 02
Does percentage charging change what advisers focus on?
Yes. Percentage fees encourage asset-first thinking because income depends on the portfolio. Fixed fees shift the focus back to you , your goals, your priorities and the decisions that matter most.
-
3Question 03
Why do two clients with similar needs pay different fees?
Because percentage models charge based on wealth, not work. One client may pay double simply because they have a larger portfolio. Fixed fees bring fairness back by linking the cost to the complexity of the planning, not the size of the assets.
-
4Question 04
Why is it hard to understand what you’re paying under a percentage model?
Because the fee changes with market movements, not with the work being done. When costs drift up and down unpredictably, clarity disappears. Fixed fees give you one transparent number from the start.
-
5Question 05
Does percentage charging influence adviser behaviour?
It can. When income is tied to invested assets, advice can lean towards keeping money in portfolios, even when life goals require flexibility. Fixed fees support better conversations about spending, gifting, retiring earlier and making life decisions with confidence.
Testimonials
Swipe to see more
-
Xentum gave us confidence in our financial position, freedom to take amazing family holidays, and amazing support in exiting the corporate world.
Rob Murkerjee
Freedom and independence
-
We’d spoken to three advisers before Xentum and still couldn’t work out what we were paying for. One meeting here and it finally clicked. Everything was explained clearly, the fee was fixed from day one, and for the first time in years we feel in control rather than confused. It’s changed how we make decisions as a family.
Mark and Pam
For the first time in years, we feel in control.
-
We always assumed good advice had to be tied to percentages. Finding Xentum showed us how outdated that thinking was. The fixed fee saved us thousands in the first year alone, but the real value came from the clarity. We now know exactly what we can afford, what retirement looks like, and what to prioritise. It’s a breath of fresh air.
Steve
The fixed fee saved us thousands.
-
Other firms talked about performance. Xentum talked about what we want our life to look like. It’s the first time advice has felt honest. The fixed fee meant we didn’t worry about hidden charges, and the plan has already helped us make smarter decisions with our money.
Sarah and Adam
It’s the first time advice has felt honest.
-
We were overwhelmed with pensions, ISAs, property and old plans. Xentum pulled everything together, ran the cashflow, and showed us what life could actually look like. Seeing it so clearly and knowing the fee wasn’t tied to our savings gave us the confidence to retire earlier than expected.
The Howarth's
It felt like someone finally put our whole life on one page.
-
It is nearly two years since my solicitor introduced me to Dominic. In hindsight, I wish the introduction had been made sooner.
Pat Dawson
More clarity and better decisions.
-
We’ve worked together for a very long time now, I absolutely trust the team implicitly. Dominic is a very values-led person and that permeates the entire company.
Ian & Pam Mahoney
Kingston upon Thames
-
Xentum have been financial advisers to our family for over ten years. The team are friendly, committed, expert and trustworthy we feel very well looked after. It makes such a difference to work with people who take the time to understand our needs, and who always have our best interests at heart.
Val Fitton
Friendly and committed
-
It is rare to work with a company over so many years. We have done so because the team is driven by sound values and continually demonstrates their genuine care for the wellbeing of their clients. We couldn't recommend them highly enough.
Colin & Ineke McCulloch
Genuine Care
-
We have been with Xentum for many years now and have always been extremely happy with the service we receive generally and the care, quality, and professionalism of all the team. Their genuine friendliness and warmth is ever present.
David & Joan Clapperton
-
The in-depth exploration of values and the detailed cashflow modelling exercise has been very worthwhile. If you are seeking actionable clarity on your finances and personal goals, this is an excellent place to start.
Ian Fisher, MD, Penistone
Clarity on your finances
-
Ed's advice was clear and externally useful in giving a very clear view on my finances, and my retirement, plus our pensions. we will be using him again to help us.
Steve
Long term family up support.
-
Sasha has helped me a lot, because I would not feel competent or confident to manage my financial affairs single-handedly. I value her thorough understanding of my position, both financially and in broader life terms, and the friendly and open way in which she discusses relevant matters.
Josephine
Confidence in the direction
-
Ed is great-he understands our needs and goals and helps us to make wise decisions to meet those, whilst explaining things in a way we can understand. He is personable and on hand for queries outside of the annual review as things arise and change.
Katy
Understanding of us
-
Ed helped with our pensions and savings which were consolidated into manageable accounts from which payments were made to us. We sold a large property and moved to a flat in London. He has advised regarding IHT planning in relation to gifting money to our children. He has organised our finances so that we are living comfortably.
David
Simplified and supported
-
My husband inherited money and shared following the death of his mother
The team listens to what are our needs and understands what is needed to meet them. They have been very patient with something we have been grappling with with regards to helping our children
Rosie and Pete
Managing money.
-
Xentum have been very personally engaged and friendly as well as really impressing me with the depth of her financial knowledge. She has been consistently conscientious in answering all my questions and coming up with understandable solutions and financial plans, and very speedy in her responses as well as flexible when the need arises.
Elizabeth
Consistently conscientious
-
I’d grown tired of advisers dancing around costs and talking in riddles. Xentum were the opposite. No sales pitch, no products pushed, just straight advice delivered in plain English. The plan gave me direction, the tech gave me visibility, and the fixed fee means I never second-guess their motives.
Simon and Debra
There’s no sales pitch, just straight advice.
