Qualifications

  • Fellow of the Personal Finance Society
  • Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning
  • Diploma in Financial Planning
  • Certificate in Equity Release
  • Certificate in Mortgage Advice
  • Certificate in Life & Pensions
  • Certificate in Financial Planning
  • AF3 – Pension Planning
  • AF4 – Investment Planning
  • AF5 – Financial Planning Process

Chartered Financial Planner – Black

Fellows of the PFS

Steph McDonald

Director & Chartered Financial Planner

Contact Steph

Qualifications

Reviews and Ratings for Financial adviser Steph McDonald, Chelmsford
Steph

In the office

Steph is a great example of how HarperLees develops its own and invests in the next generation. She started working with us as a student to support herself through university. When she completed her studies, she was offered a role at the firm and has since made her way from administrator to Paraplanner and then to Financial Planner, before becoming a director.

She’s also the Compliance Officer and Money Laundering Officer for the firm, and she loves working with clients to help them to achieve their life goals.

Steph particularly works with clients preparing for or at retirement although more often she is now working with clients much earlier on in their lives, as you can never start your financial planning journey too young.

Steph’s proudest moment as a financial planner is when a client is enabled, through the work they have done together, to retire earlier than they planned, meaning the client can spend more time doing the things they want to do.

Steph loves being around the great people at HarperLees, the team and clients alike, she loves hearing about client’s lifelong dreams, and helping to make them reality. Steph also spends some of her time helping others learn about the profession so they can gain a rewarding career, just as she has done.

Steph

At home

Steph lives with her two young boys. In the little spare time Steph has, she can often be found ferrying the children back and forth to kids’ parties and swimming lessons, but wouldn’t have it any other way! When she does find time for herself, you can find her playing rugby as part of a ladies’ team.

Important information

Steph is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), registration number SXM03231.

The FCA requires that all financial advisers in the UK hold a Statement of Professional Standing (SPS). An SPS can only be issued by an FCA appointed accredited body, and confirms that an adviser has adhered to a code of ethical standards, holds the required qualifications for the activities they undertake, and has completed the appropriate CPD.

You can view Steph’s SPS and entry on the FCA register below.

In the

Spotlight

On an ideal weekend, you can find me:

In the garden, with a glass of wine in hand and the BBQ on.

My favourite holiday destination is:

Disney (Florida). I can’t wait to take the kids next time.

The first album I bought was:

Spice - The Spice Girls.

If I could be any fictional character, I would be:

Captain Marvel – who wouldn’t want those superpowers, should keep the kids in check!!

If I could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, I would win a medal in:

Chocolate eating – hands-down winner right here!

When the dessert menu arrives, I’m looking for:

Sticky toffee pudding.

The three qualities that draw me to new people are:

Outgoing, funny and honesty.

The three people at my dream dinner party would be:

Hugh Jackman, Channing Tatum, and Dawn French.

The best gift I’ve ever received is:

My Pandora and Chamilia bracelets, all the charms have special meanings to me.

The three small things that make my day better are:

Cuddles from the kids, caffeine and sat nav - I can get lost going round the corner!

The types of people I most enjoy working with are:

Passionate about what they want their life to look like.