Regional accountancy firm Old Mill, which has offices in Melksham and Wells, has met stringent financial planning checks for the fourth year running to achieve the BS 8577 standard.
Standards International, which awarded the certificate to the firm, commended it for investment in technology and “empathy and warmth for clients”.
BS 8577 is the only best practice standard for financial advice and planning firms.
Old Mill, which also has offices in Yeovil and Exeter, first achieved the standard in 2015. At the time it was one of just a handful of firms to have gained the accreditation.
Standards International praised Old Mill’s investment in technology, highlighting the positive impact of a state-of-the-art back office system, fact-find technology, risk-profiling technology and the work done to meet the new GDPR requirements.
Standards International certification scheme assessor Colin Selway, who was responsible for assessing Old Mill, said the firm was “working extremely hard to give the advisers the tools to ensure clients have a structured but enriched financial review process”.
He applauded Old Mill’s advisers for displaying “empathy and warmth for clients” adding that they “all offer an ability to get clients to open up using a relaxed conversational approach”.
He also praised the firm for “continuing to move the client’s perspective of financial advisers away from ‘sales-people’ to professional financial advisers focussing on their client needs”.
“The advisers see their role as mentors and educators – demonstrating empathy, emotion and passion,” he said. “They care about what happens to their clients and see themselves as their conscience.”
Old Mill operations manager Matthew Clark, pictured, said he was thrilled the firm’s high standards had been recognised once again.
“Retaining the BS 8577 award is a real achievement for our firm,” he said. “We continue to strive for greater consistency in all that we do and aim to maintain exceptional client service. To be recognised for the fourth consecutive year for this exclusive award is a credit to the firm, its people and all that we stand for.
“This year’s assessment was the most in-depth since we gained the award and it is extremely encouraging to not only maintain the award but to have such positive feedback from the assessment.”
Standards International service delivery and relationship assistant Kelsey Kimsey added: “It’s great to see ongoing investment in the team and innovation in technology to support the processes of the business.”
