Ablestoke Consulting Careers

Ablestoke Consulting is a growing financial management consultancy based in the City of London.

Our business is to help both private and corporate clients with their financial, legal, taxation and lifestyle choices.

Ablestoke do this through establishing long term relationships with our clients, understanding their needs and objectives and guiding them through (what is otherwise) a complex field, providing them with dedicated account managers who are supported by an extensive team of experts.

The continued success of Abklestoke has lead to a need to recruit the next generation of advisers to meet the demands of our clients.

New entrants join the Ablestoke Academy which provides a comprehensive and fast paced training and coaching scheme, comprising both classroom style teaching and on the job training. Once this has been successfully completed you will join one of our teams and be mentored by one of our partners.

You will then begin the Ablestoke professional qualification programme.

The programme starts with the financial planning certificate which will lead to you gaining qualifications in areas such as financial regulations, investments, pensions, taxation, mortgages and protection. You will then progress to the Ablestoke financial planning diploma programme, and finally study towards becoming a chartered financial adviser, with Ablestoke bearing the costs of the training and qualifications.


Previous industry experience is not essential as the Ablestoke Academy training and professional qualification programme, as well as working alongside experienced Ablestoke financial advisers, mortgage brokers, stockbrokers, accountants and other industry experts are designed to guarantee an individual’s understanding & career progression.

Although excellent academic qualifications are assumed , Ablestoke look for other features in a candidate’s CV: e.g. areas of sporting success and/or situations where the candidate has held positions of responsibility or had the opportunity to demonstrate qualities of leadership and entrepreneurship.

Ablestoke require individuals, who have the excellent communication skills, immaculate appearance, self motivation and a determination to excel in order to help us deliver our promise to our clients.

Ablestoke is an appointed representative of Intrinsic FS whob are regulated by the FSA: www.fsa.gov.uk/register/

For more Ablestoke information visit: www.ablestoke.com

For more Ablestoke careers information visit: www.ablestokecareers.com

Ablestoke & Currency Solutions: 7 Costly mistakes to avoid when transferring currency

Ablestoke have formed some very positive alliances during 2010 and we are delighted to be working in partnership with Currency Solutions, FSA authorised Currency Specialists.

Currency Solutions have just launched a guide to maximising the efficiency of foreign currency transactions entitled:

If you or your company transfers funds internationally, this is an essential guide. It reveals the 7 most costly mistakes people make when transferring and receiving funds across borders. For more information contact Ablestoke

7 Costly mistakes to avoid when transferring currency

1. Using the bank to make your transfer


Many people leave foreign exchange in the hands of their bank. Ablestoke & Currency Solutions beleive this is a big mistake. It’s not a widely known fact but it’s certainly a costly one; currency exchange is one of the easiest ways for the bank to pick your pocket; and for larger transactions the losses can amount to hundreds, even thousands of pounds. A specialist broker is much better placed to look after your interests when making a currency transfer. Although they trade currency in exactly the same way as the bank, with smaller overheads you will be able to achieve more for your money. Ablestoke recommend Currency Solutions



2. Not getting the best rate


As we know at Ablestoke the exchange rate you achieve will have an impact on the cost of any foreign investment you make. Even a small change in the rate will affect your profits so it is vital that you get the best rate at the time you make your transfer. Unlike a bank who will often set a rate for the day (with a wide profit to allow for fluctuations), a specialist currency broker will work from a "live market" meaning the rate you get will be up to date at the second you do the deal. This will ensure you get the most for your money.


3. Not protecting your profit margins from adverse movements in the rates

Exchange rates can move as much as 5% in a week or 10% over a month. If you haven’t accounted for this volatility, an adverse movement in the exchange rate could severely impact your costs or profit margin. Understanding the different options available to you for buying currency will help you ensure your profits are safe from being wiped out by an exchange rate movement. Currency Solutions have helped many Ablestoke Clients with this.


What options are available for Ablestoke Clients?


Spot trade 
A Spot Trade is when you buy the currency now and pay for it now; perfect when you need to make a payment quickly

Forward Contract
This is when you buy the currency now with a 10% deposit but pay the remainder when you need the money. Once you have fixed a rate you are protected from currency risk, meaning you won’t have any nasty surprises when you eventually make the payment. A Forward Contract can be fixed for up to 24 months and can be flexible should your time scales change.

4. Paying commission or charges

Bank commissions for making or receiving payments abroad can range (some foreign banks will take as much as 1.5% just to receive funds) and fees for making international payments are often up to £40 per trade.
On top of this, a hidden cost comes from the large profit a bank will make on the spread of the rate they offer; this can be as much as 4% which on a £50,000 transfer equates to £2,000!

5. Choosing a bad broker


Not all brokers are the same. Ablestoke suggest you should always choose a company which is FSA authorised, HMRC regulated and which holds client funds in segregated client account for total security
of funds.
Be aware of brokers that quote Interbank exchange rates and in some cases better than market rates. All businesses need to generate a profit so if the rate sounds too good to be true, it probably is. These brokers are likely to offer you an exchange rate different to that advertised closer to the time of transaction or they are speculating on the market.
In order to save yourself time, stress and money, choose a currency specialist which offers you a dedicated broker who will be your single point of contact, and will help you make an educated decision about how and when to make a transfer.

6. Leave your transfers to the last minute

Ablestoke suggest the longer you have to arrange your currency transfer, the more flexibility you will have to ensure you get the best deal. Although your broker will be able to offer you a same day transfer, the longer you have to manage your exposure the more options are available to you.

7. Think that using a specialist broker
will be more difficult than using your bank

Ablestoke recommend using a specialist broker such as Currency solutions:

Step 1

Registration
Registration with Currency Solutions is simple, free and can be done in minutes.
The easiest way is to register online at www.currencysolutions.com Once registered, you’ll be under no obligation to make a transaction and you can buy or sell any major currency pair. Alternatively please contact Ablestoke

Step 2

Buy Currency
When your account is open, you can agree an exchange rate over the phone. Once you have agreed the trade your broker will email you a Confirmation Note with details of the trade you ave completed and a secure link for you to tell us where to send the funds.

 Step 3

Make Payment
Once you have sent funds to our segregated client trust account, we transfer your purchased currency into your nominated account straight away. Depending on the currency you are buying (and where you are sending it) this will take from 3 to 48 hours. Ablestoke do not handle clients money - all payments are between you and Currency Solutions.

Working with Currency Solutions you will receive:

• The best exchange rates save up to 4% compared to a high street bank
• No commission meaning a totally transparent service
• Friendly, personal account managers to help you make an educated decision as to when and how to transfer funds
• Flexible trading options to protect against adverse currency fluctuations
• Fast efficient payments
• Total Security of funds with all funds being held in a segregated client account
• Authorised by the FSA and regulated by HM Revenue and Customs

Ablestoke & Currency Solutions advise: Don’t make a costly mistake when transferring currency. With a dedicated service, superb rates and the knowledge to guide you safely through foreign exchange, Currency Solutions have helped over 22,000 clients save time and money.

 

Currency Solutions Ltd is registered in England, Company No. 4864491. Regulated by HM Revenue & Customs, No. 12162570

and authorised by the Financial Services Authority, No. 512130.

Contact us via communications@ablestoke.com

Ablestoke will be delighted to put you in touch with Currency Solutions

Ablestoke interviewed by Hi Mag

Ablestoke were recently asked for their opinion on improvements to the insurance policy application process, by Industry specialist magazine Hi-Mag.com

http://www.ablestoke.com/

Ablestoke Consulting Scam Avoidance Guide

Ablestoke Consulting Scam Avoidance Guide

Scams are schemes which are designed to con unwary people out of their money. Scams come in a variety of types and can be quite sophisticated; therefore even experienced people can be caught out. You may well have already come across scams in your life such as letters from abroad asking you to share in a fortune if your bank account can be used to release funds that are locked away overseas, premium rate competition scams, bogus sweepstakes and lotteries, and fake health cures. These are some of the favourite scams used by unscrupulous fraudsters. As the number of scams seems to be increasing, Ablestoke’s Scam Avoidance Guide is designed to make you aware and save your money.

Here are some of the most common scams Ablestoke have found:

·         Bogus Government Department Scams - some Ablestoke clients have received letters or emails claiming to be from government departments such as the Financial Services Authority asking for personal information or money.

·         Bogus communications form HMRC - A few Ablestoke clients have reported receiving letters or emails claiming to be from the Inland Revenue asking for account information or payment or offering a tax rebate.

·         Bank Charge reclaim cold callers - Ablestoke are warning people to be wary of telephone calls or emails out of the blue, offering to help reclaim your bank charges - often claiming to be from the Office Of Fair Trading

·         Identity Fraud - someone impersonates you without your knowledge, often by stealing discarded or lost documents.

·         Money In Overseas bank account Scams – Several Ablestoke employees have received a letter or email claiming that there is money in an overseas bank account left by someone with the same name as you who is deceased, and that the money has been frozen by the bank as there are no relatives. They suggest you can have the money transferred to your account and that you will receive a large part of the money as your fee.

·         Inheritance Scams – a letter from someone claiming to be a solicitor for a long lost relative, offering you their services in securing money left to you.

·         Advance Fee Scams - letters or emails that offer you large amounts of money if you make payments up front.

·         Credit Card Scams - An Ablestoke director received a telephone call telling him that he had been a victim of fraud and asking you to verify your card details.

·         Fraud Recovery Scams – a phone call or email from someone claiming to be from an organisation tackling fraud and offering to help you recover money from a previous fraud.

·         Mobile Phone Insurance Scam – a telephone call soon after buying your mobile phone offering you insurance cover.

·         Missed call fraud – Ablestoke have reported receiving calls on mobile phones, but the person hangs up after one ring. If you call back, you are put through to a specially set up premium-rate phone number.

Generally, firms have to be regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the UK's financial services regulator, or be the agent of a regulated firm. Regulated firms and their agents are put on the FSA Register and have to meet certain standards. The Ablestoke advice here is to always make sure that the firm you use is on the FSA Register before handing over your money. If they aren't regulated by the FSA, you won't have access to complaints and compensation procedures if things go wrong. To find out if a firm is on the FSA Register – www.fsa.gov.uk/register/

To find out more about how Ablestoke can help you avoid being scammed, visit: Ablestoke Help People Avoid Scams

Ablestoke - Find Us

www.ablestoke.com