Quarterly Financial Planning Game Changers – Q4 2025

Legislation is shifting and with more change (and challenge) on the horizon, now is a pivotal moment to ensure your clients’ wider financial planning is working as hard as it should. From potential tax reform to smart investment opportunities and evolving business cash strategies, it’s the perfect time to step back, zoom out, and take stock. 

This quarter’s Game Changers spotlight four areas where a proactive conversation could make a real difference and help you deliver even more value to your clients. 

IHT Reform: The Clock Is Ticking for Business Owners

The Big Idea
Reforms to Inheritance Tax will fundamentally change how business assets are treated on death. Many owners assume their shares qualify for Business Relief (BR), or drastically underestimate the impact changes will have on their business (and family). 

Why It Matters
If BR is restricted or removed, the consequences could be serious. Families may find themselves facing large, unexpected tax bills. In some cases, they could be forced to sell shares or assets to settle a liability they didn’t expect, and at the worst possible time. 

These changes are coming and the direction of travel is clear, there are solutions available but clients need to act. 

Actions to Take
Start with a strategic review: 

• Revisit ownership structures and shareholder agreements 

• Assess how BR currently applies across the client’s estate 

• Where appropriate, consider using life cover or business protection to create liquidity at death 

Some options, like arranging cover or adjusting company structures, can take time to arrange, or become more expensive if you wait. Planning early gives more flexibility and better outcomes. 

The Opportunity
By acting now, clients can protect family control of the business, reduce disruption, and avoid fire-sale scenarios. More importantly, it gives peace of mind that their business, and the value they’ve built, will be passed on smoothly and tax-efficiently. 

VCT & EIS: Tax-Efficient Opportunities Are Back

The Big Idea
The new investment season is open and with it comes a new window to take advantage of Venture Capital Trusts (VCT) and Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS). These government-backed incentives remain some of the most powerful tools for tax planning and portfolio diversification. 

Why It Matters
High earners, business owners looking to extract funds, or those who have maxed out other options are once again looking to offset income tax, reduce CGT, and grow wealth tax-efficiently. VCTs and EIS offer upfront tax reliefs of 30%, alongside CGT deferral (EIS) and tax-free dividends (VCT). 

But demand is high. The best offers often fill quickly, and last-minute investing can lead to rushed decisions or missing out entirely. Many clients wait until January or February – when capacity is limited and planning time is short. 

Actions to Take 

• Encourage clients to review their tax position now 

• Discuss how VCT or EIS could sit alongside existing pensions, ISAs and GIA investments 

• Explore whether carry-back or multi-year investing strategies are appropriate for those with irregular income or variable tax liabilities 

The Opportunity
Early movers get better access, more time for due diligence, and avoid the end-of-year panic.  

Cash Management: Make Business Money Work Harder

The Big Idea
Interest rates remain high but billions still sit in business current accounts earning next to nothing. Many clients hold large balances for comfort, tax payments or upcoming investments. But in the meantime, inflation quietly erodes value. 

Why It Matters
That cash isn’t doing enough. With inflation still elevated, money left in low-yield accounts is quietly losing value. By moving even a portion into more effective cash solutions, clients could significantly improve returns, often without adding risk or complexity. 

Actions to Take 

• Review corporate cash reserves and upcoming liquidity needs 

• Segment cash into immediate, short-term, and strategic buckets 

• For excess balances, explore higher-yield alternatives – many of which can still offer daily access or short notice periods 

It might not change the world but for clients with significant cash balances, even a simple switch can generate a meaningful return. At the very least, it could cover the cost of this year’s Christmas party. 

The Opportunity
It’s a low-risk, high-reward win. Many clients simply aren’t aware of what their cash could be earning. With a small nudge and a smart review, they can turn idle funds into active assets without sacrificing flexibility or control. 

 Planning for Partners: Mind the Financial Gap

The Big Idea
Going from employee to partner brings new responsibility and often a sudden drop in financial structure. Employer benefits fall away, income becomes variable, and tax gets more complex. 

Why It Matters
We’re seeing growing discussions around taxing partnership structures more aggressively, particularly in legal, accountancy and professional firms. But even now, many new partners are navigating their finances with old frameworks designed for salaried employees. 

There’s often no pension in place, no employer-funded protection, and limited personal tax planning. Income can fluctuate significantly from year to year, making cashflow, savings, and tax planning more challenging. 

Actions to Take 

• Encourage a full financial health check post-promotion 

• Rebuild lost benefits (life cover, income protection, pension contributions) through personal or practice-funded arrangements 

• Create a plan for managing tax reserves, bonuses, and variable income across tax years 

• Explore tailored investment strategies that reflect their new financial reality 

The Opportunity
Partners have huge potential for wealth creation but only if they have the structure to support it. With the right guidance, they can build long-term security, reduce inefficiencies, and regain the sense of control they may have lost when they stepped away from PAYE. 

Bringing It All Together 

Whether it’s preparing for IHT reform, acting early on VCT and EIS opportunities, reviewing business cash reserves, or helping partners navigate new financial complexity – these are the conversations that deliver genuine value. 

Each one creates an opportunity to build trust, demonstrate expertise, and help clients make better decisions in an increasingly uncertain world. 

If you’d like to explore how we can support your clients together, we’d love to talk. 

This document is marketing material for a retail audience and does not constitute advice or recommendations. Past performance is not a guide to future performance and may not be repeated. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the amount originally invested.