A Financial Advisor offers specialist advice to individuals and companies on financial matters, including investment choices and recommendations on the best ways to utilise money. Advisors may provide their services on a broad range of financial matters or they may specialise in one particular area such as pensions, mortgages and investments.
Day-to-day activities and responsibilities
Providing financial advice to potential customers on a variety of issues
Analysing business, management and financial documents
Completing daily, weekly and monthly reports for managers and clients
Building and maintaining a client base
Setting and reviewing monthly targets with customers
Producing reports on customers circumstances and highlighting possible outcomes and decisions to be made
Analysing possible risks and completing documents to highlight to the best decisions for customers
Researching different financial areas in order to produce the best possible results for customers
Designing financial strategies which suit the customer’s particular needs
Negotiating and providing new services to a variety of customers and working closely with head office and other teams to meet their needs
Operating within an office environment, setting up meetings and working with customers in both an office and home environment
Reviewing any documentation should a client’s situation change
Keeping up to date will all financial legislation and regulations
Workplace and working hours
Financial advisors typically work the standard hours of 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday – Friday. Some long, irregular hours may be required. Those that are self-employed have a greater control over their working hours.
Professionals working in this role are generally based in an office, with some given the opportunity to work from home (depending on the employer). Travelling to and from the clients’ premises/homes will often be required.
Salary
The starting salary for a Financial Advisor is around £20,000 per year. Once a candidate becomes more experienced and qualified, their salary increases to between £30,000 and £60,000, depending on the size of the employer, the job location, the number of years of experience and the level of knowledge of the financial industry.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
Entry requirements
A candidate is not required to have any particular degree; however a degree in finance, business or accountancy will support a strong application. Some companies are also willing to take candidates who may not have a degree but do have relevant experience in finance, customer services or sales.
Skills and personal attributes
Mathematical skills: Given the nature of the job, it is vital that a candidate has sound mathematical skills and understanding of accounting in order to offer the best possible advice to customers.
Communication skills: As this role is very much based around working to a customer’s needs and offering them the best possible advice, a candidate is required to have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, in order to communicate their recommendations, strategies and suggestions so that they can be understood by the clients and implemented accordingly.
Organisational skills: As a candidate will often be working with multiple clients at the same time, it is essential that they are well-organised, able to manage their own time and have everything ready and documented before meetings and presentations.
Job likes and benefits
Job progression: The ability to progress within the role is very much accessible, especially in large companies or accounting firms. With additional experience, a candidate will have the opportunity to progress quickly in a variety of other roles within the financial industry.
Self-employed: Financial advisors often become self-employed once they have gained the relevant experience and build up a customer base. Becoming self-employed would give a candidate a major advantage as they would be able to control aspects such as working hours, fees, charges and work location.
Job challenges and disadvantages
Research reports: Carrying out extensive research and producing insightful and technical financial reports form a large part of the job. This role will unlikely be suitable for those who are unable to conduct financial research and document/present their findings accordingly.
Job progression and career prospects
With enough experience and knowledge, candidates can move into a variety of different roles in finance, accounting, management or compliance.
There may also the opportunity to become a partner or director in a firm.
Becoming self-employed is another popular option, although that comes with additional risks and responsibilities.
Written by Sobhan Mohmand Sobhan is a qualified Careers Advisor and Professional CV Writer with over 10 years of experience in helping job seekers get a job. He is a Member of the Careers Development Institute (CDI) and is listed on the official UK Register of Career Development Professionals. He holds a Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development (QCF).
By using the site you agree to our privacy settings. Read MoreAccept
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.