Welcome to Cratchley Compliance, where I specialise in delivering Tailored Solutions that Inspire Confidence in every aspect of your business journey….

I’m Jo Cratchley, a highly experienced Compliance and Quality Assurance (QA) consultant, offering a range of services to IFAs to enable you to confidently serve your clients.

In light of the emergence of Consumer Duty, it's crucial for adviser firms of all sizes to assess their performance in delivering positive outcomes for customers and clients across various key areas.

This increased emphasis on consumer outcomes requires proactive evaluation, enhancement, and documentation of your firm's actions and processes to ensure consistent delivery of favourable results for your clients.

As well as assisting you in preparing your annual Compliance report I can work with you to assess the adequacy & effectiveness of the methodology you have in place to comply with FCA rules, through compliance monitoring.

With me as your compliance partner, you can achieve best practice standards, enhance operational efficiencies, mitigate risks, and bolster your professional standing  

What I do

Quality assurance

File reviews are part of my core service. As a guide, I am capable of reviewing approximately 5 files per day, although cases of higher risk may require additional time.

I believe this process is a valuable opportunity for continual learning and development for both myself and for you as advisers, enabling me to thoroughly assess the suitability of advice provided with recommendations.

Following the review, I will provide a comprehensive report detailing findings and addressing any areas of concern, alongside recommendations for enhancements. Feedback will be provided in writing with the option to discuss the outcomes face-to-face, over the telephone or via Zoom/Teams.

Pre-sale high risk cases – including DB/safeguarded rights advice, business relief advice, Structured Products, EIS, VCT, AIM and equity release.

Post Sale - Retirement income recommendations, pension switching and consolidation advice, tax year end planning and use of carry forward, annuity advice

Post Sale – General investments such as Bonds/ISA/OEIC/GIA.

Post Sale – Individual protection, business protection, group risk and mortgage advice.

Additional Services

  • I will collaborate with you to write and implement tailored guidelines that align with your business requirements, ensuring compliance at every stage of your processes.

  • Are you making the most of your back office systems? Putting in place an end to end process that incorporates all of your regulatory requirements will not only save time and should ensure a compliant file every time.

  • Setting up robust QA MI as part of your annual quality assurance programme and for ongoing T&C for your regulated advisers.

  • I can provide training sessions for new advisors and devise training plans to elevate the proficiency of both new advisors and those transitioning into advisory roles.

  • I can conduct thorough investigations and employ root cause analysis techniques to assist you in implementing process enhancements, thereby addressing errors and complaints effectively.

  • In the event of contemplating a business acquisition, I can offer support in reviewing systems and controls, scrutinising files as needed, and delivering reports on any potential liabilities, empowering you to make well-informed decisions.

Testimonials

  • Over many years of working with Jo, I found her attention to detail to be second to none, and this coupled with her in depth knowledge of the regulatory environment and her understanding of providing financial advice meant that she was a great support to me.

    Jason Bolton
    Chartered Financial Planner

  • Having worked closely with Jo for a number of years, I always found her common sense, collaborative approach to dealing with compliance matters was a refreshing experience.

    Steve Hilditch
    Chartered Financial Planner