Bray is a small town, and its pool of financial advisors is smaller than you would find in Dublin or even Dún Laoghaire. That makes the choice simpler in one way and harder in another: fewer firms to ring, but more reason to pick carefully.
This shortlist gathers the Bray firms worth considering, including financial planners, an insurance broker and a finance broker, since those labels mean different things. We researched publicly available information and used editorial judgement. Treat the list as a starting point, then speak to two or three firms before you decide.
#1. Opes Financial Planning Ltd
Opes Financial Planning Ltd is a financial planning firm based at Parklands Business Park on the Southern Cross Road, on the south side of Bray towards Kilruddery. The business park setting keeps it clear of the town centre traffic, and it is a handy option if you are driving in from elsewhere in Bray or from further into Wicklow.
The firm holds a 5 out of 5 public rating from 11 reviews, the strongest rating on this shortlist. Eleven reviews is a modest sample, but a full score across them is still a good sign. For a first conversation about your finances, Opes is a sensible place to start, and it is our featured pick for Bray.
As a general financial planning practice, Opes is the kind of firm you go to for the whole picture rather than one product; pensions, savings, investments and protection all sit within the category. If you want a single adviser looking across your affairs, that breadth is the point. Check the firm’s website or call ahead to confirm what a first meeting involves and how they charge.
- Rating: 5/5 (11 Google reviews)
- Address: Parklands Business Park, 12 Southern Cross Rd, Kilruddery Demesne East, Bray, Co. Wicklow, A98 WF95
- Phone: +35312724130
- Website: opesfp.ie/
#2. Platinum Financial Planning
Finance House on Florence Road is home to Platinum Financial Planning, right in the centre of Bray. The location is about as convenient as the town gets: close to the Main Street, and handy for the DART station if you are coming in from further afield.
The firm is categorised as a financial consultancy, which in practice means advice across the usual planning ground rather than a single product line. That suits someone who wants to sit down and talk through pensions, savings or protection in one place.
Platinum holds a 4.7 out of 5 public rating from 12 reviews. If a central Bray office within walking distance of everything matters to you, put them on the call list.
- Rating: 4.7/5 (12 Google reviews)
- Address: Finance House, Florence Rd, Bray, Co. Wicklow, A98 AK23
- Phone: +35312865211
- Website: platinumfinancial.ie
#3. Summit Finance
There is less public information about Summit Finance than about most firms on this shortlist. It is a financial planning firm based in Bray, Co. Wicklow, with no published street address and no public rating at the time of writing.
That is not a criticism. Plenty of small practices work mainly on referrals and keep a light online presence. It does mean you will need to make direct contact to learn what they cover, how they charge and whether they are taking on new clients.
If you prefer the idea of a smaller local practice, Summit is worth a call. Go in with the same questions you would ask any firm: authorisation, fees and what the first meeting involves.
- Address: Bray, Co. Wicklow
- Phone: +35312760755
#4. Money Smart
Money Smart is a financial planning firm based at Rectory Way in Kilbride, just outside the centre of Bray. The Kilbride address means it is not a town centre office, which matters less than it used to if you are happy to meet by phone or video.
As a financial planner, the firm fits someone looking at the bigger picture rather than a single product. Pensions, savings and protection are the usual ground for this category.
Money Smart holds a 4.6 out of 5 public rating from 9 reviews. If you live towards Kilbride or on that side of Bray, the location may be handier than heading into the town centre.
- Rating: 4.6/5 (9 Google reviews)
- Address: 13 Rectory Way, Kilbride, Bray, Co. Wicklow, A98 K272
- Phone: +35312760006
- Website: moneysmart.ie
#5. Financial Equality Services
Not every firm on this list does the same job. Financial Equality Services is an insurance broker based at Woodlands Office Park in Bray, and a broker is a different proposition to a financial planner.
An insurance broker arranges cover with insurers on your behalf rather than building you an overall financial plan. If your main need is protection, for example life cover or income protection, a broker can usually compare options across insurers rather than pointing you at one company’s products.
The firm holds a 4.9 out of 5 public rating from 19 reviews, one of the stronger ratings on this shortlist. If insurance is the task rather than a full financial plan, this is the kind of firm to call.
- Rating: 4.9/5 (19 Google reviews)
- Address: Woodlands Office Park, 1c, Bray, Co. Wicklow, A98 R6A2
- Phone: +35315767513
- Website: feservices.ie
#6. Odin Brokers
Also on Florence Road, Odin Brokers is a finance broker based in the centre of Bray. A finance broker arranges finance for clients rather than providing broad financial planning, so treat this as a different service to the planners above.
If what you need is help sourcing finance rather than a retirement or investment plan, a broker is the right kind of firm. Brokers work across lenders to find an option that fits, which can save you approaching each one yourself.
Odin holds a 4.9 out of 5 public rating from 38 reviews, the largest review count on this shortlist. The Florence Road office is easy to reach from anywhere in Bray.
- Rating: 4.9/5 (38 Google reviews)
- Address: 2A Florence Rd, Bray, Co. Wicklow, A98 YY84
- Phone: +35315165541
- Website: odinbrokers.ie
#7. O’Hanrahan & Associates
O’Hanrahan & Associates rounds out the shortlist. It is a financial planning firm based at Raheen House on the Meath Road in Bray.
As a financial planner, the firm sits in the same broad category as several others here: the place you go for an overall view of pensions, savings and protection rather than one product.
The firm holds a 4.3 out of 5 public rating, though from only 3 reviews, so there is less public feedback to go on than with some others on the list. A direct call will tell you more than the numbers do.
- Rating: 4.3/5 (3 Google reviews)
- Address: Raheen House, Meath Rd, Bray, Co. Wicklow
- Phone: +35312829447
What should you check before choosing a financial advisor?
Start with authorisation. In Ireland, firms providing financial advice or arranging financial products must be authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland, and you can search its registers online by firm name in a couple of minutes. Qualifications matter too: many Irish advisors hold the QFA (Qualified Financial Adviser) designation, and some go further with Certified Financial Planner (CFP) status.
Then ask how the firm is paid. Some charge a fee, some earn commission from product providers, and many use a mix of both. Ask whether they act independently or on a tied basis for the products you are discussing, because that decides how wide a range of options you will see. Get the answers in writing before you commit.
What is the difference between a planner, an advisor and a broker?
The labels get used loosely, but they describe different jobs. A financial planner or advisor looks at your overall position: pensions, savings, investments and protection, then builds a plan around your goals. That is the right fit when you want direction rather than a single product.
A broker arranges a specific product on your behalf. An insurance broker compares cover across insurers; a finance broker sources finance from lenders. In a small town like Bray the choice of firms is limited, so matching the firm to the task before you book saves wasted meetings.
What should you ask at a first meeting?
A short list of questions keeps the first meeting useful. Ask whether the firm is authorised by the Central Bank, how it is paid, and whether that will be confirmed in writing. Ask if it acts independently or on a tied basis for what you need.
Then get practical: what will the advice cost in the first year, is there a charge for the initial meeting, and who will you actually deal with if you become a client. A firm that answers these plainly is easier to work with than one that does not.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a financial advisor charge in Ireland?
There is no standard fee. Some advisors charge an hourly rate or a fixed fee for a plan, others are paid commission by the product provider, and many use a mix of both. Percentage-based fees on investments are also common. Ask any firm to explain its charges in writing before you commit, and compare two or three so you know what the norm looks like.
How do I check if a financial advisor is regulated in Ireland?
Search the Central Bank of Ireland’s online registers. Firms providing financial advice or arranging certain products in Ireland must be authorised, and the register is free to search by firm name. If a firm does not appear, ask it directly about its authorisation status before sharing any personal financial details.
Do I need a financial advisor or a broker?
It depends on the job. If you want an overall plan covering pensions, savings and protection, look for a financial planner or advisor. If you need a specific product arranged, such as insurance cover or finance, a broker may be the better fit. Some firms do both, so ask what they actually handle before booking a meeting.
What should I bring to a first meeting with a financial advisor?
Bring photo ID, your PPS number, and a rough picture of your finances: income, regular outgoings, debts, savings, and any existing pensions or insurance policies. A short list of goals helps too, whether that is retiring at a certain age, buying a home or protecting your family. The more accurate the picture, the more useful the advice.