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Financial Advisor

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Financial Advisor Career Details

Financial advisers or consultants help clients to sort out their financial needs, and advise them of suitable financial products and services. The products available include: pensions; mortgages; investments; house and life insurance; critical illness cover; income protection and savings plans. Clients can be corporate or individual.

Financial advisers can act as tied or independent agents. Tied agents offer the products of one company whereas independents need to offer whole-of-market advice. New rules state that financial advisers can now offer both types of advice as long as they clearly inform the client of which role they are in.

Day-to-day activities include questioning clients to gather information, researching products and making recommendations. They may work with paraplanners that collate product research into written reports. Advisers will also have meetings with providers of financial products, such as broker consultants. Financial consultants need to keep up to date with any changes in the legislation or developments in best practice.

Financial advisers are governed by the Financial Services Authority's (FSA) code of practice and their firm must seek approval for them before they can engage in any regulated activities, such as investment advice. Financial advisers must act in an impartial and ethical manner, or their approval could be withdrawn. Contact the FSA for further details.

Working Environment

Hours may vary depending on whether they are tied or independent, and depending on their employer. Most advisers usually work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. However, tied advisers often work Saturdays on a rota basis. IFAs often have to meet clients during the evenings and sometimes at weekends, as well as during normal office hours.

Most advisers work from an office but some work from home. A driving licence is essential as travel will be involved.

Financial Advisor Related Skills

As a financial adviser you should:

be numerate and computer literate
have integrity and confidence
have the ability to understand how financial products work
have determination, as you are selling your services and products to your clients
be able to keep up with new trends in the financial market
have good research skills, and the ability to analyse and present information
have good communication skills, and the ability to explain complex ideas to clients
have excellent listening and questioning skills
be able to inspire confidence and trust.

Financial Advisor Career Opportunities

Financial advisers can be employed by any company selling financial products such as a bank, building society or an IFA. With experience, it is also possible to become self-employed. At least two years of post-qualifying experience is preferred.

The financial services sector has grown quickly since the mid 1980s. Financial advisers with either a Certificate in Financial Planning or an AFPC can become members of the Personal Finance Society (a member of the CII Group). They will need to abide by a professional code of conduct and can develop through conferences, seminars and workshops.

Financial advisers can move into management positions or into training or marketing.

There are opportunities for experienced advisers to work for banks, building societies or insurance companies dealing with compliance. This means making sure that the company is following the guidelines and standards laid down by regulatory bodies as well as their own company rules.

Further Career Information

If you would like to know more about a career as an Financial Advisor related facts, statistics, articles and websites.

Career Steps

Not quite sure about a career as a Financial Advisor? Try our step-by-step career guide to reaching your chosen career.

Career Courses

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