Cost of Inheritance Tax Planning
across the UK

# Inheritance Tax Planning Accreditation

Several UK trade bodies and regulatory schemes oversee professionals offering inheritance tax planning advice. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates financial advisers, including those providing inheritance tax advice as part of a broader financial planning service, and requires them to hold appropriate permissions and meet ongoing competency standards. The Law Society regulates solicitors who handle inheritance tax matters, demanding that members adhere to strict professional conduct rules and maintain professional indemnity insurance. The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) accredits tax specialists and requires members to follow a Code of Professional Practice, making CIOT membership a recognised mark of expertise in tax planning. Additionally, the Chartered Financial Planner designation, awarded by the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI), indicates that a financial planner has passed rigorous examinations and meets continuing professional development requirements. Understanding which body accredits your chosen provider helps clarify what standards and protections apply to you.

To verify a provider's credentials, check the FCA register at register.fca.org.uk for financial advisers, the Law Society's Find a Solicitor tool for legal professionals, and the CIOT's member directory for accredited tax specialists. Each register allows you to confirm current registration, any disciplinary history, and the scope of regulated activities the provider is authorised to undertake. It is important to verify accreditation because unregulated advisers offering inheritance tax planning fall outside these protection frameworks, meaning you have fewer remedies if something goes wrong and less assurance about their competency. Checking credentials protects you from potential conflicts of interest and ensures your adviser has undergone formal training and examination. Many unqualified or under-qualified practitioners operate in this field, so verification is a practical first step in reducing risk.

Accredited providers typically charge more than non-accredited ones, and