Wealth Management Professionals

Which professionals are involved in wealth management?

Wealth management in France draws on expertise in finance, law, taxation, property, insurance, retirement and estate planning.

There is therefore no single type of wealth management professional. Depending on your needs, several specialists may be involved:

• A Wealth Management Adviser (CGP) can provide an overall assessment of your financial and personal circumstances and coordinate different aspects of your strategy;

• A Financial Investment Adviser (CIF) can advise on financial investments within the scope of their regulatory status;

• A private bank can provide banking, investment and wealth management services, generally for clients with significant investable assets;

• An asset management company manages investment funds or portfolios within a regulated framework;

• A broker can assist with insurance, financing or other intermediary services, depending on their registrations;

• A notary can advise on property ownership, lifetime gifts, marital arrangements and inheritance matters;

• A lawyer can assist with taxation, estate planning, business structures and complex legal situations;

• A family office can coordinate financial, legal, tax and administrative matters for families with complex wealth;

• A real estate professional can assist with property transactions and investments within the scope of their authorisations.

Someone preparing for retirement may work with a wealth management adviser or savings specialist. A family planning an inheritance may need a notary or lawyer. A business owner preparing to sell a company may require coordinated financial, tax, legal and investment advice.

For international residents, several professionals may also need to work together when a situation involves French tax residence, overseas assets or beneficiaries living in another country.

How should you choose a wealth management professional?

The right professional depends primarily on the nature and complexity of your needs. Some situations require detailed legal expertise, while others call for specialist knowledge of investments, taxation, insurance, retirement or French property.

A wealth management adviser often occupies a central position because they can take a broad view of the client’s circumstances. Where appropriate, they may coordinate with other specialists or refer the client to a lawyer, notary, accountant or tax adviser.

Before appointing a professional, consider:

• Their areas of expertise;

• The types of clients they usually advise;

• Their professional experience;

• Their regulatory statuses and registrations;

• How they are remunerated;

• The products and providers they work with;

• Their ability to explain risks, fees and disadvantages;

• Their experience with circumstances similar to your own.

The quality of the relationship is also important. A professional should take time to understand your objectives, financial circumstances, family situation, investment horizon, liquidity requirements and attitude to risk before recommending a solution.

If your situation involves several countries, confirm that the professional has relevant cross-border experience. Being authorised to advise in France does not automatically mean that they are qualified to advise on the laws or taxation of another jurisdiction.

Expertise for different levels of wealth

Contrary to a common misconception, wealth management professionals do not work exclusively with the very wealthy.

People at different stages of life may seek professional assistance to:

• Build wealth;

• Diversify their investments;

• Optimise their tax position;

• Prepare for retirement;

• Protect their family and assets;

• Generate supplementary income;

• Plan the transfer of their wealth.

Employees, business owners, self-employed professionals and retirees can all benefit from personalised support when making decisions with long-term financial or family consequences.

Professional advice may be especially valuable when moving to France, as existing investments, retirement arrangements and estate plans may need to be reconsidered within the French legal and tax framework.

Find a wealth management professional in France

The Experts du Patrimoine directory lists professionals working across the principal areas of wealth management, including financial advice, investment, insurance, property, retirement, taxation, inheritance planning and asset management.

You can browse the different professional categories, review company profiles and contact firms whose expertise appears suited to your circumstances.

The directory provides a starting point for your search. Before making a financial decision or entering into an agreement, you should speak directly with the professional, check their regulatory information and confirm that their experience corresponds to your personal, financial and, where relevant, international situation.