Become a Financial Adviser
A career as a Financial Adviser is an incredible opportunity to help people achieve their life goals
Start Your Career as a Financial Adviser
A career as a Financial Adviser is an incredible opportunity to help people achieve their life goals. You’ll support clients with decisions about pensions, investments, tax planning, and protecting their financial future. It’s a role that combines problem-solving, communication skills, and financial expertise.
With the right Financial Adviser training, such as the Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipFA) or the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning (DipPFS), you’ll gain the qualifications, knowledge, and confidence to give trusted advice while navigating industry regulations. The demand for skilled Financial Advisers is growing, offering excellent prospects for career progression and earnings.
If you enjoy helping others and want a career with real purpose and variety, becoming a Financial Adviser could be the perfect next step.
Financial Advice: A Great Career Choice
Strong Income Potential
Financial Advisers are rewarded for the value they bring to clients. Alongside a solid base salary, many advisers increase their earnings through performance bonuses or client fees. As your experience and client base grow, so does your income.
Consistent Demand for Advice
Whatever the economic climate, people need expert help with pensions, investments, and planning for the future. This consistent demand means that Financial Advisers enjoy reliable career prospects and the reassurance of long-term job security.
Variety and Career Development
No two clients are the same, which keeps the role varied and engaging. You can build your career within a financial services firm, join a network, or even run your own practice. Over time, you may choose to specialise in areas such as retirement planning, wealth management, tax advice or move into senior management roles.
Is This Career Right for You?
Take this quick quiz to see if you have what it takes to thrive in this rewarding career!
- Question 1
- Question 2
- Question 3
- Question 4
Do you like working with people?
- A) Yes – I enjoy meeting people and building trust.
- B) Sometimes – I’m comfortable once I get to know them.
- C) Not really – I prefer working on my own.
How do you feel about handling money and numbers?
- A) Confident – I like keeping track of finances.
- B) Okay – I can manage if it’s explained clearly.
- C) Unsure – I find numbers a bit stressful.
Are you good at listening to others?
- A) Definitely – I’m patient and like understanding people’s needs.
- B) Sometimes – I listen, but I can lose focus.
- C) Not really – I prefer getting straight to the point.
Do you enjoy helping people plan for their future?
- A) Yes – I like giving support and guidance.
- B) Maybe – I’d try, but I’m not sure how good I’d be.
- C) No – I prefer short, simple tasks.
You’d make a great Financial Adviser! You enjoy helping people and have the right approach to succeed.
You’ve got potential! With training and practice, you could really grow into this career.
This career might not be the best fit right now, but with some development you could still explore it in the future.
How to Qualify as a Financial Adviser

To legally provide financial advice in the UK, you must hold a Level 4 FCA-recognised qualification. Two of the most common routes are:
Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipFA)
– awarded by the LIBF.
Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning (DipPFS)
– awarded by the CII.
Both qualifications cover essential areas such as regulation, investments, pensions, and client advice skills, and Simply Academy provides dedicated study support for each. Whichever route you take, you’ll benefit from expert tutors, structured learning, and ongoing support to help you succeed.
Important Notice:
As a career in financial advice becomes more popular, a number of low-quality training providers have entered the market, often advertising heavily on platforms like Google and Bing. These courses may be outdated or miss key content, and the organisations behind them may not have the expertise or industry experience needed to deliver effective Diploma training. If you’d like guidance on choosing a reputable training provider, our friendly Student Support team will be happy to help.
Career Progression

Becoming a Financial Adviser is a gateway to an exciting career in financial services. Many advisers begin by building their client base, then progress into specialist areas such as investment management, retirement planning, or wealth advice. Increasingly, advisers also choose to complete further qualifications such as CeMAP to provide regulated mortgage advice, enabling them to support clients with both borrowing and long-term planning.
With experience and further study, you can achieve Chartered Financial Planner status a prestigious title that can boost your reputation, earnings, and career opportunities.
