Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Problem With...

In this short and sweet episode, we shine a light on a common pitfall in financial advice — misunderstanding or overlooking FCA roles and permissions. We explore how advisers can get it wrong, what that means in practice, and most importantly, how to check you're operating within the lines. Whether you're an adviser or working with one, this is a must-listen for keeping things compliant and above board.

In this episode, we’re diving into the often-dreaded but incredibly important annual audit for financial advice firms. We break down what the audit process actually involves, why it’s nothing to fear, and how—believe it or not—it can help you grow and manage your business more effectively.

From smart preparation tips to mindset shifts, we’re here to take the stress out of audit season and show you how to turn it into a valuable opportunity rather than a compliance chore.

Whether it’s your first audit or your fifteenth, this episode is packed with practical advice and a healthy dose of reassurance. Tune in and take control of your audit journey!

Becoming directly authorised by the FCA is a big step—but is it the right one? 
In this episode, we sit down with Nick Davies, who has recently gone through the authorisation process himself. He shares:
✅ How to prepare for FCA approval
✅ Whether working with a compliance company made the process easier
✅ The challenges, surprises, and whether he thinks it was all worth it!
If you’re considering going directly authorised or just curious about what it really takes, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

How well are schools preparing the next generation for the real world of money? In this episode, I sit down with my teenage sons to find out what they’re actually taught in school about finance, how they discuss money with their friends, and the lessons they’re picking up from social media (for better or worse!).

It’s an eye-opening conversation that highlights the gaps in financial education—and why it’s so important for parents and guardians to step in. If we want young people to grow up financially confident, the conversation needs to start at home.

Tune in for some surprising insights, a few laughs, and practical advice on how to talk to kids about money.

In this episode, Alex and Annabel dive into a critical issue in financial services—advisers and compliance companies effectively "marking their own homework." When advisers review their own suitability letters or compliance firms assess templates they’ve provided, is the process truly objective? Or does it create a false sense of security?

We explore the risks, potential conflicts of interest, and whether this approach genuinely protects clients or simply ticks a regulatory box. Is there a better way to ensure robust compliance and high-quality advice?

Are you wondering how AI can enhance your financial advice business while keeping your client data secure? Or perhaps you're unsure how to offer a service that meets the needs of all potential clients?

In this episode, we sit down with Madeleine from Otto Finance, who is at the forefront of AI for financial advisers. She shares her expert insights on how AI can streamline your processes, improve client outcomes, and—most importantly—how to ensure your data remains yours.

Madeleine’s passion and top tips will give you the confidence to explore AI without compromising control.

Got questions? Reach out to me and Annabel at www.mybeginnings.co.uk, or connect with Madeleine at www.ottofinance.io.

We all know T&C (Training & Competence) is a crucial part of financial services, but let’s be honest—does it really add value, or is it just another box-ticking exercise? In this episode, we explore how T&C can become an integrated, engaging, and even enjoyable part of your business.
One key element of T&C is ongoing development, often achieved through the standard 35 hours of CPD via webinars, conferences, and online courses. But what if we looked beyond financial services and found more imaginative ways to develop ourselves?
This year, I set myself a challenge: to make CPD more meaningful by incorporating my personal passions. As a paddleboarding instructor, I recently progressed my hobby into a coaching qualification. The experience taught me valuable coaching skills that have enhanced both my personal growth and the service I offer to clients.

In this episode, we discuss:
✅ Why T&C often feels like a compliance exercise rather than a development tool
✅ How thinking beyond finance can transform the way we approach CPD
✅ The power of learning new skills in unexpected places
✅ Practical steps to make T&C work for you and your team

If you’re looking for fresh ideas on making T&C more valuable, engaging, and impactful, this episode is for you.

The Problem with Factfinding – Factfinding is the foundation of financial advice, but is it always done right? In this episode, we uncover the common pitfalls in factfinding, from box-ticking exercises to missing crucial client details. Are advisers truly getting to the heart of their clients' needs, or is the process just another compliance burden? Join us as we explore how to make factfinding more meaningful, effective, and client-focused.

In this episode, we explore the well known challenges of suitability letters. From regulatory pitfalls to common communication gaps, we break down the issues and share our top hints and tips to make your letters more interesting and compliant. Plus, we’re setting a challenge to help you make your suitability reports something that the clients will enjoy reading. Listen to learn how to make suitability letters work for you and your clients.

Are you frustrated by the gap between the promise of CRMs and the reality of getting your team to actually use them? You’re not alone. The Problem with CRMs dives deep into the most overlooked challenge in CRM success: user adoption.

Join us as we explore why so many businesses struggle to integrate CRMs into their workflows and how you can overcome these barriers. From expert interviews to actionable insights, we’ll uncover what it really takes to transform your CRM from a clunky tool into a business changing asset. Whether you’re a CRM skeptic or a seasoned pro, this podcast is your guide to solving the user adoption problem.

Are you an appointed representative, are you fed up or just wondering what your options
are? This episode will debunk some myths and help you to decide whether being an
appointed representative is right for you.

Do you have a business plan? Is it up to date, or are you wondering why you would still need
one? This episode highlights the importance of having a business plan and also offers
insightful tips on how to design one that will help your business grow.

There seem to be more and more reports being requested and no extra time in which to do it. This episode will show you how you can make reporting easier and not as time consuming. Don't believe us, have a listen.

MyRegData Report | Complete all sections of your RegData report using MyRegData

Do you dread compliance, do you feel that it takes too much time or are you overwhelmed by it? This episode will discuss the common problems and provide some practical steps to solve it and make compliance, dare we say it....fun!