Financial adviser
Also called Independent financial adviser, financial planner, wealth manager.
Financial advisers help people and organisations choose investments, savings, pensions, mortgages and insurance products.
- Potential salary
- £27,000 starter to £67,000 experienced per year
- Typical hours
- 35 to 40. Working pattern: evenings / weekends attending events or appointments.
- Career area
- Business and administration
- Where they might work
- You could work in an office, from home, at a client's home or in a contact centre.
- A typical task
- talk to clients about their finances and plans
- Subjects that may help
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- Typical route
- This role is open to graduates of most subjects.
- Interest area used here
- Starting things and persuading, Helping and teaching
What you might do
- 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 pensions and investments
- meet performance and sales targets
More tasks (1)
- keep up to date with new products and law changes
Could this suit me?
Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.
- 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
More skills
- business management skills for negotiating product rates
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Routes into this career
University route
- 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.
- You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- equivalent entry requirements
- student finance for fees and living costs
- university courses and entry requirements
University courses that could lead to this career
These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.
- Accounting and finance
Alternative route. A possible start. The advice qualification is separate.
- Banking and Finance
Alternative route. Advice roles need regulated qualifications after, or instead of, a degree.
- Business management
Alternative route. The professional qualification matters more than this degree.
- Economics
Alternative route. Possible. Professional advice qualifications come later and the role is open to other degrees.
Apprenticeship or vocational route
- You could apply to do an apprenticeship, with a financial organisation, such as:
- Paraplanner and Financial Planner Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
- Financial Services Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
- You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
- equivalent entry requirements
- guide to apprenticeships
Career progression
- With experience, 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
Registration and requirements
you'll need to register as an 'approved person' by the Financial Conduct Authority
pass enhanced background checks
Subjects that may help
Subject guidance
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship