Our Approach

Our Model

WestBridge SSAS operates an administration model that seeks to provide a personalised, dedicated, and outstanding client experience. We do this by allocating each client to a specific experienced knowledgeable ‘administrator’ who is responsible for looking after all matters in relation to their SSAS, we call this a ‘cradle to grave’ service.

Dedicated Account Management Team

WestBridge SSAS act as ‘scheme administrator’ (alongside the Members) and independent Trustee to all SSASs and a ‘client director’ is also available to deal with any more complex matters alongside the dedicated administrator. Where possible we also look to group clients together so that introducers (Accountants, IFAs etc) have continuity for their clients that operate their SSASs with us.

All clients and their advisers have a direct email address and phone number of their dedicated administrator and client director, and we aim to respond to all contact with 48 hours. Our response times are closely monitored, and we welcome feedback on any experiences, good or bad, from our clients and their advisers.

Cradle to Grave

Our administration team all have many years’ experience in the ‘cradle to grave’ model and we use a SSAS specific IT lead administration system for all clients. We encourage clients and introducers to build a relationship with their administrator and we see our role as taking the burden of compliance and administration away from the client.

Property Matters

WestBridge have a large number of properties within our SSAS portfolio, so we have an experienced and dedicated property team to support the administrators with regard to all property related matters.

Secure Portals

We always aim to be transparent in everything we do, we are developing a process to allow clients and introducers access to their SSAS information through a secure online portal. Our SSAS clients that use Metro Bank (Our preferred Banking provider) as their transactional bank account can already get online view only access to the account.

Additional Advice

We have relationships with other professionals including property lawyers, insurance brokers, financial advisers, cash management providers, lenders and banks that understand the complexities of SSASs and we can introduce clients to these organisations as necessary.

In addition, as part of the WestBridge Group, clients can access the opportunity to discuss and explore any tax planning matters with one of our Chartered Tax Advisers in WestBridge Tax with no obligation.

Fixed Fees

In our experience SSAS clients have become disillusioned with several of our competitors due to the complexity of a ‘menu of charges’ in relation to annual administration fees. We believe in charging a fair fee for the work involved in providing our services to clients and that is why we operate on a level fee basis for all work in relation to the scheme (increasing annually in line with inflation) based on an assessment of the case in question. Our minimum all-inclusive Annual Management Fee starts as £1,500 plus VAT pa and can be billed to the sponsoring employer if necessary.

Fees are charged quarterly in arrears, and we would collect this quarterly fee by direct debit. Whilst most work will be covered by the Annual Management Fee, there are exceptional circumstances (e.g. Divorce cases) that may fall outside that fee. Should this situation arise we let the client know in advance and provide estimates to be agreed for additional work at our charge out rate of £175 plus VAT per hour. The cost of setting up a new SSAS or taking over a SSAS from another operator would incur an additional one-off fee of £1,600 plus VAT which would be payable upon the signing of our Engagement Terms. Our fees do not include third party fees (legal fees, valuation fees etc.) or disbursements (ICO and Pensions Regulator Fees).