Advisers prepare to increase platform scrutiny

From April 2014, advisers will be required to satisfy themselves that a platform service provider has met the requirements set out within the platform paper.  An adviser survey carried out by Skandia has found 65% of advisers have said they will carry out further due diligence work in response, 44% of which said this work is already underway. Just 13% said they would not engage in any additional due diligence work this year. Charges are the most important area of consideration, according to 43% of survey participants, followed by platform functionality which was prioritised by 16%....