Founders usually have to arrange their own pension, income protection and will, because no employer does it for them. These pages explain what each area involves, so you can decide whether to look into it and get regulated advice if you choose to.
Financial planning for startups, explained.
Pensions, protection, mortgages, wills and estate planning, explained for founders. This is general information and not advice. Regulated advice is available from an FCA-authorised firm if you want it.
Personal money admin for founders
Where to get regulated advice
Only a firm authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority can give you regulated financial advice. You can find one on the FCA register. Buzz has an introducer agreement with Equity & General (E&G), authorised and regulated by the FCA (No. 474163). If you would like an introduction, we can make one.
Guides to each area
- Pensions & retirement
- How pensions work, and the tax-efficient ways for founders to pay into one, including contributions made by your company.
- Investments & tax-efficient saving
- ISAs and other investments, and how a plan for your money can fit your goals and your tax position.
- Protection
- Life cover, critical illness cover and income protection. Founders often have no sick pay or death-in-service cover through an employer.
- Mortgages
- How lenders assess director and self-employed income, and the accounts and tax figures they ask for, which we prepare for clients.
- Wills & estate planning
- Wills, trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney and inheritance tax planning, including what happens to your shares in the company.
- Business & family protection
- Key person and shareholder protection, relevant life cover and succession planning, which protect the company if a founder dies or is seriously ill.
How to get regulated financial advice
- 1Understand the basics
These guides explain what each area involves, so you know which questions to ask an adviser.
- 2Find an authorised adviser
Regulated advice can only come from an FCA-authorised firm. You can search the FCA register, or ask us for an introduction to Equity & General, the firm we have an introducer agreement with.
- 3Decide whether to go ahead
An introduction is free, and you do not have to take one. If you go on to take advice, the adviser explains any fees before any work starts.
Common questions
Who can give me regulated financial advice?
Only a firm authorised by the FCA. Buzz is not authorised to give regulated advice. We have an introducer agreement with Equity & General (E&G), authorised and regulated by the FCA (No. 474163), and we can introduce you if you would like. You can also find an authorised firm on the FCA register.
Can company directors and the self-employed get a mortgage?
Yes. Lenders assess director and self-employed income differently from a salary, and they usually ask for up-to-date accounts. A regulated mortgage adviser can find lenders that suit your income, using the accounts we prepare.
Are wills and estate planning covered?
These pages cover the basics of wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, trusts and inheritance tax planning. Will-writing and some estate-planning services are not regulated by the FCA. If you want a will or estate plan arranged, we can introduce you to E&G's estate-planning specialists.
Does an introduction cost anything?
No. An introduction is free, and you do not have to take one. If you go on to take advice, the adviser tells you the fees before any work starts.
General information only. This page explains a topic in general terms. It is not advice, a personal recommendation or a financial promotion, and it does not invite or encourage you to buy any product or service. Everyone's circumstances are different.
Regulated financial advice can only be given by a firm authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can find one on the FCA register (register.fca.org.uk). Buzz Accounting is not authorised to give regulated financial advice. We have an introducer agreement with Equity & General (E&G), authorised and regulated by the FCA (No. 474163). If you would like an introduction, we can make one.
The value of investments and any income from them can fall as well as rise, and you may get back less than you invested. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may change. Will-writing, trusts and some estate-planning services are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
