These days, investing has never been more accessible. A few taps on your phone and you can buy shares, track markets, and start building a portfolio on your own. But just because you can do something yourself, doesn’t always mean you should, especially when your financial life crosses borders.
I work with British, South African and US expats living in France, South Africa, the US, and beyond. Many of them are clever, capable, and have done a fair bit of DIY investing. But they usually come to me when things start to get complicated, and that’s where a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) can make all the difference.
In fact, research shows that working with a qualified financial planner can add up to 3% of additional value annually to your portfolio*. Not from stock-picking or timing the market, but through four key areas that most DIY investors often overlook.
Here’s what that looks like behind the scenes:
1. Rebalancing and staying on track (+0.4%)
Markets move, and so should your portfolio, but most people either forget to rebalance or do it too often based on emotion. A planner helps ensure your asset allocation stays aligned with your long-term goals, not the headlines.
2. Behavioural coaching (+1.5%)
This one’s massive. When markets dip or media panic sets in, DIY investors are more likely to sell low, buy high, or freeze. One of the most underrated parts of my role is helping you zoom out, focus on what matters, and stay the course. Emotional decisions are costly. Calm, measured ones are powerful.
3. Implementation and strategy (+0.9%)
The best financial plan in the world is useless if it never gets implemented. Whether it’s consolidating pensions, sorting tax residency, or structuring investments across jurisdictions, I help my clients actually get things done, not just talk about it.
4. Tax and cross-border planning (+0.6%)
This is where things get extra complex for expats. DIY investors often miss how tax rules differ between the UK, France, South Africa or the US. I’m qualified in all four regions, which means I can help you avoid double taxation, make the most of available reliefs, and ensure your strategy works wherever life takes you.
Of course, it’s not just about returns.
Working with a CFP® gives you something you won’t get from an app: peace of mind. It’s the confidence that your finances are aligned with your life, your values, and your future, not just your newsfeed.
So whether you’re sitting in Toulouse with a SIPP, wondering how your French tax residency affects your UK pension, or trying to juggle retirement planning across two continents, know this:
You don’t have to figure it all out alone.
And you don’t need to time the market to build real wealth.
You just need a plan that’s built around you, and a professional who knows how to bring it to life.
If that sounds like something you’ve been missing, feel free to get in touch. Whether you DIY or delegate, the goal is the same: helping you live well, and plan smart.
*Research sources: Vanguard’s Advisor Alpha study, Morningstar, and industry data on behavioural coaching and long-term advisor value.
