The managing director of Financial Planning firm Acumen has explained how his company remains “fiercely independent”, in a glimpse inside the business.

Chartered Financial Planner and former bank worker Sandy Robertson, of Acumen FP in Aberdeen, speaks exclusively about his business in a wide-ranging feature in the current issue of Financial Planning Today magazine.

Asked about the firm’s ethos Mr Robertson said: “Acumen Financial Planning has a family culture.

“We are fiercely independent, answerable only to our clients, our conscience and to the various professional bodies in which we have qualifications.

“We take our work seriously, but do not take ourselves too seriously so fun and laughter is never far away.

“Our team delivers a holistic package of bespoke financial guidance that empowers our clients to achieve their full financial promise.

“We work hard to create innovative tools, refine processes, train and develop our team, all of which is designed to realise an excellent client experience.”

He also reflected on his career, which began as a local bank worker when he was 16 and progressed through accountancy qualifications and ultimately into Financial Planning.

He has been managing director at Acumen since 2002 and the firm’s main areas of expertise are savings and investments, pensions and retirement planning, tax planning, trusts and estate planning.

The company currently has 1,300 client families and an annual turnover of £4m.

Mr Robertson also spoke about the importance of Chartered or Certified accreditation and provided his top tips for running a successful Financial Planning firm.

The full feature appears in the latest issue of Financial Planning Today magazine, which is available to read online now.

 Other key features in the latest issue include:


• Stories about MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis' legal battle with Facebook, details of a financial adviser jailed for sexual assault and more. 

• Planner Casebook - Mike Walker, of Prest Financial Planning, looks at a real-life case involving a HNW couple looking to tackle major Inheritance Tax challenges.


• Client Hunter tips from Nicola Watts, who looks at finding new clients and keeping existing ones engaged
• Investment Insiders talk Brexit


• Columns from leading Financial Planner Julie Lord, PFS chief executive Keith Richards, CISI head of Financial Planning Jackie Lockie, senior Paraplanner Chloe Moran and other key commentators


• DFM news and listings