Financial adviser

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

University

This role is open to graduates of most subjects.

Particularly relevant subjects include:

• financial services
• business management
• accountancy

Once you finish your course, you could apply to join a finance company or a bank as a graduate trainee adviser.

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could do a financial adviser higher apprenticeship or a financial services professional degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You could start as a financial services administrator or customer services adviser in a bank and work your way up.

To do this, you'll need to study for a level 4 qualification in financial advice recognised by the Financial Conduct Authority .

These include:

• Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning  from the Chartered Insurance Institute
• Diploma for Financial Advisers  from the London Institute of Banking and Finance
• Investment Advice Diploma  from the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• customer service skills for finding out customer needs
• knowledge of economics and accounting for understanding financial markets and products
• maths knowledge for creating financial plans
• the ability to sell products and services
• excellent verbal communication skills
• active listening skills
• business management skills for negotiating product rates
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• analytical thinking skills
• excellent written communication skills
• sensitivity and understanding
• persistence and determination
• thinking and reasoning skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to read English
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• concentration skills
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Financial advisers help people and organisations choose investments, savings, pensions, mortgages and insurance products.

As part of your day-to-day tasks, you could:

• talk to clients about their finances and plans
• research financial products and explain them simply and clearly
• negotiate with providers of financial products
• produce financial reports
• update clients about their investments
• meet performance and sales targets
• keep up to date with new products and law changes

Location : You could work in an office, from home, at a client's home or in a contact centre.

Salary:

Starter : £23,500
Experienced : £45,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

35 - 38 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

Career Path:

You could:

• specialise in one area of work, like pensions
• become a manager to recruit and train new staff
• become a director or partner of your company
• move into compliance, making sure companies follow guidelines and laws