The gap between Financial Planning and Paraplanning is becoming blurred, according to Paraplanning expert Richard Allum.

Mr Allum CFP^CM from Paraplan Plus and Moneyscope was speaking at today’s Institute of Financial Planning Paraplanner Conference.

Mr Allum said: “The line between Financial Planning and Paraplanners is becoming blurred. Paraplanners are now becoming the first port of call for clients and may be the person they have their first meeting with before even meeting the Financial Planner.

“This blur gives Paraplanners a great opportunity to get more involved in the whole Financial Planning process.”

He also spoke about the benefits of using technology in the cash flow planning process and getting clients involved.

“Cash flow planning should be live and dynamic, use an Ipad, get the figures up on a big screen, let them see the process and view their own changes.”

However, he warned that users should be fully competent in their technology before showing it to clients.

“Financial Planners have said to me that they’ve used the technology and it’s gone well until the client has asked them a ‘what-if’ question and they’re stumped because they’ve only seen their Paraplanner do it.”

Mr Allum is one of a range of speakers at today’s conference which is being held in Nottingham exclusively for Paraplanners.

Other speakers over the day include Chris Hewitt from the Financial Services Authority, Edward Grant from Technical Connection and Tony Harris from Mansard Capital.