How an SJP practice strengthened compliance after file review issues

Client Context

An SJP Partner Practice had built a solid reputation in their region, advising a mix of high-net-worth individuals and families. While client acquisition was strong, internal file reviews had started to highlight issues with the quality and consistency of their suitability reports.

The partners were concerned that repeated findings could escalate into formal compliance action and damage their standing within SJP.

The Challenge

The practice’s paraplanning setup wasn’t keeping pace with expectations. They faced:

• File review findings pointing out insufficient evidence of suitability
• Inconsistent report structures across advisers
• Risk of further compliance escalation if changes weren’t made quickly

The partners knew this was a serious threat to their credibility and growth.

The Turning Point

When a file review flagged multiple high-risk cases in a single month, the partners decided they couldn’t afford to continue with the same approach. They needed reports that were watertight, consistent, and clearly evidenced suitability to SJP’s standards.

The Solution

The practice engaged Plus Group for paraplanning support to bring their reporting in line. We:

• Standardised suitability report templates to match SJP requirements
• Embedded compliance checks into every stage of the paraplanning process
• Logged and tracked all cases in Fluid, giving partners full oversight and assurance

Implementation Insight

We began with the cases that had been flagged during the most recent review, rewriting reports to ensure they were compliant and thorough. From there, we created a new framework for ongoing cases, ensuring the same issues couldn’t resurface.

Results

• Reports consistently passed file reviews without issue
• Compliance risks reduced significantly
• Partners regained confidence to scale client activity

Emotional Impact

For the partners, the real change was reassurance. They no longer feared file review findings derailing their business. Instead, they felt confident that every report leaving the practice would stand up to scrutiny.

Before vs After

Barriers Addressed

The partners worried that bringing in external paraplanners might clash with SJP’s framework. Instead, Plus Group adapted to the practice’s processes and ensured every report aligned with network standards.

If your firm has faced compliance flags in file reviews, Plus Group’s paraplanning support ensures your reports are robust, consistent, and FCA-ready.