Are you considering becoming a Financial Adviser? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:
Job Description - 
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Financial advisers help clients to choose financial products best suited to their present and/or future needs.
There are two types of adviser:
1. Independent financial advisers (IFAs) give advice on the financial products of a number of different organisations.
2. Tied advisers work for organisations such as banks, building societies and insurance companies. They are only able to advise on their own organisation's financial products.
For both types of adviser the work involves:
- giving advice about appropriate products.
- meeting clients
- asking questions about clients' finances and circumstances to understand
their needs
> Enrol on the ASET Certificate in Business Finance
Most tied advisors are graduates. A degree in finance and accountancy, business studies or related subjects may be an advantage, but a confident, professional character is just as important. Clients look for maturity in their advisor, so school leavers are rarely employed directly into this role.
Entry to a degree is with at least five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) and two A levels/three H grades, or equivalent qualifications.
Advisers have to do recognised industry training, regulated by the FSA.
The following are approved by the FSA to issue qualifications in this area:
- Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)
- Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA)
- Institute of Financial Services (IFS)
- Securities Institute (SI)
- UK Society of Investment Professionals (UKSIP)
- Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland (CIOBS).
Other qualifications include:
- Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP)
- Certificate in Financial Advice (CeFA)
- Certificate in Regulated Equity Release (CeRER)
