What Is Fact Find Software? (UK IFA & Mortgage Guide)
Every regulated advice conversation in the UK starts the same way: understand the client. Historically that meant a paper factfind, then a Word document, then a PDF. Fact find software — sometimes called IFA fact find software or a digital factfind — replaces that with something the client can complete on their phone, and the adviser can review, edit and pull straight into a suitability report.
What is fact find software?
A digital factfind is a structured questionnaire that captures a client's objectives, income, expenditure, assets, liabilities and attitude to risk. Good fact find software:
- Sends the factfind to the client through a secure client portal.
- Adapts the questions to the client's situation (mortgage, protection, investment, retirement).
- Validates entries as clients type — no more "N/A" scrawled across half the page.
- Feeds directly into the case, factfind of record and (where relevant) suitability reports.
IFA fact find software vs mortgage factfind: what's different
| Type | Focus | Typical outputs |
|---|---|---|
| IFA factfind | Objectives, ATR, capacity for loss, assets/liabilities | Suitability report, cashflow model |
| Mortgage factfind | Income, commitments, property, credit history | Sourcing input, lender packaging |
| Protection factfind | Dependents, existing cover, medical basics | Needs analysis, quote comparison |
Why paper (and Word) factfinds cost you money
- Rekeying. Admin rekeys the same information into the CRM, sourcing tool, application, and provider portal.
- Errors. Handwriting and stale templates create compliance risk.
- Drop-off. Clients don't return long PDFs. They start, don't finish, and the case stalls.
Features to look for in fact find software
- Mobile-first. Most clients complete it on a phone.
- Conditional logic. Only show questions that are relevant.
- Save & resume. Clients rarely finish in one sitting.
- Adviser co-edit. The adviser can fill sections during a call.
- Integrations. With sourcing, CRM and suitability tools.
- Audit trail. Every change versioned against the case.
How fact find software fits alongside your other tools
For most UK firms the factfind should live inside the same platform as case management, portal messaging and document collection. If the factfind is a separate app, you inherit the same fragmentation email creates — see our CRM comparison and the mortgage broker software guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is fact find software?
Digital software that replaces a paper factfind with a structured, client-facing questionnaire tied to the adviser's CRM or case management system.
What is IFA fact find software?
The same concept applied to investment and financial planning work — capturing objectives, attitude to risk, capacity for loss, income, assets and liabilities in a format that feeds suitability reports and cashflow tools.
Is a digital factfind FCA compliant?
The FCA doesn't mandate a format — it mandates outcomes. A digital factfind is compliant when it captures the required information, keeps an audit trail and is used consistently. Most digital tools make compliance easier, not harder.
Do clients actually complete digital factfinds?
Yes — completion rates for well-designed mobile factfinds are substantially higher than for PDFs. Save-and-resume plus SMS nudges are the biggest levers.
Can fact find software integrate with sourcing tools?
The best options do. That removes rekeying between factfind, sourcing and application submission.
What's the difference between a factfind and a client portal?
The portal is the client's window into your firm; the factfind is one of the things they complete inside it. A portal without a proper factfind is missing a core adviser workflow.
How much does fact find software cost?
Standalone factfind tools run £25–£60 per user per month. As part of an all-in-one adviser platform it's usually included — Advizo bundles it into its £95 per seat pricing.
Author
Financial Adviser Technology Specialists
Advizo is a UK-built business management platform designed specifically for mortgage brokers and financial advisers. Created to simplify operations, improve client management, and streamline day-to-day workflows, Advizo helps firms spend less time on admin and more time delivering exceptional client service. Through our blog, we share industry insights, business growth strategies, compliance updates, and practical guidance to support modern advisory firms across the UK.