Financial planning explained

A good financial plan helps you understand where you are, where you want to be, and what needs to happen for your money to support the life you want.

What is financial planning?

Financial planning is about planning your life, then using your money to support it. It starts with understanding who you are, what matters most, and what you want your future to look like.

Cashflow forecasting then helps turn your financial future into something you can see, explore, and understand. It can show whether your plans look realistic, how different decisions may affect you, and what could happen if circumstances change.

That matters because life rarely follows a straight line. Retirement plans, family needs, business decisions, inheritances, care costs, tax rules, and markets can all shift over time, so your plan should be flexible enough to adapt.

What is financial advice?

Unlike planning, financial advice usually focuses on specific recommendations, such as pensions, investments, or protection. Instead, financial planning creates the bigger picture first, so the advice that follows has a clear purpose.

At O’Sullivan, we are financial planners first and advisers second. We help you understand where you are, where you want to be, and what needs to happen next, so all your financial decisions feel clearer and more considered.

For the time-poor,
not the super rich

It’s a myth that you must be extremely wealthy to need or afford financial planning or advice. Everyone can benefit from a clearer picture of their position, a better understanding of their goals, and a roadmap for how to reach them, strengthened by financial forecasting, scenario modelling, and stress testing.

Whatever your question,
we have the answers

Will my money be OK if markets fall?

Can I support loved ones without risking my future?

Am I on track to have the life I want to live?

Am I making the most of what I have right now?

When can I really afford to retire?

Could I be saving more than I currently am?

See how we can help

High standards mean happy clients

Reviews, results, and reactions that show how people feel about working with us, in their own words.

    
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Spencer Chester 
 68 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Conor has been and is very motivated to ensure the best results for his clients.
He and his team keep an eye on current affairs and the impacts these may or may not have and advise accordingly.
Most of all Conor is very 'Trustworthy' such a rare commodity in the world today.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Rob Weall 
 84 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Took the time to understand our needs and goals to present options for us to take forward.  Having been sceptical of this as an industry I am now a convert and enjoying the benefits of the advise and guidance.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Kirsty Woods 
 88 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Really pleased with the professionalism, advice and personal financial goal plan.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Faaez Samadi 
 383 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service, really help you make the right decisions. Friendly, professional and always available if you want to talk anything through. Have a great knack of explaining everything, and simplifying things in a way that leaves you informed and confident that they are working hard for your best interests.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Mark Cook 
 2095 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Conor provides good, honest advice. On more than one occasion he has advised me to stick with my current provider when he could have encouraged me to switch so he made money. That's why I trust his advice.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   philippa Shadrach 
 2105 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. As a recently divorced woman I needed help with my financial affairs and Conor was recommended by my accountant. I believe he has helped me find the best solutions to my issues and has at all times been prompt, attentive, helpful, clear, efficient, patient, responsive and personable. I could not recommend him highly enough and have suggested him already to my children and friends
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Matthew Rigby 
 2105 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic Company! Would highly recommend
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   kelly brawn 
 2624 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Conor has been instrumental in helping my relative sort out his pension after taking an unplanned early retirement.

After trying for two years by himself and trying other professionals he couldn't get access to his pension and was being told different things and being fobbed off constantly, everything was too much hassle.

My relative didn't trust anyone to help and after reading reviews from some friends I contacted Conor.

Conor asked me about my relative, his concerns and what his hopes where so he knew what to expect on his first meeting. Nothing was too much trouble even meeting at a neutral location to make my relative feel at ease. Conor had taken everything I had said and knew in advance how apprehensive my relative was. I would say within 10 minutes my relative was so much happier, an hour later, email written and paperwork requested to pension holders and my relative was a changed person he knew what he was entitled to and that the money he thought was missing (and was told) wasnt and was in fact there.

It didn't stop there though. Conor has since helped my relative two more times, the second time the pension company even though correctly filled in by Conor and my relative they declined the request saying the option they had written in their letter could not be selected as an option. (we were all confused by that one!)

Lastly Conor and my relative got together to go through more updated paperwork they had sent through, all forms filled in again together and now phone calls with pension holders have been had and things are moving to get to the resolution which Conor set out to achieve.

What I am trying to say is pensions are confusing along with savings, bonds and finances in general, to have someone like Conor take the time to know you, know what you want makes such a difference, he also talks in a language which is understandable to those like my relative and even myself who find it all overwhelming.

I am looking forward to Conor sorting my finances out in the not too distance future, what he has done for my relative though will make sure he is now secure until he hits official retirement and means a less worry and he can enjoy himself.

Thank you.

We're as blown away as you are by how much our clients value the service we provide. For more insights...

Read our latest client survey results

of clients are satisfied with our understanding of their financial needs and life goals.

of clients agree that working with us has helped them achieve their financial goals.

of clients would recommend us to their friends, family, and colleagues.

What is financial planning?

What is financial advice?

For the time-poor, not the super rich

Whatever your question, we have the answers

High standards mean happy clients

Speak to us today

Financial planning
explained

For the time-poor,
not the super rich

Whatever your question,
we have the answers