FINANCIAL
ADVICE FIRMS
NEED YOU
Fulfill your potential as a
financial adviser and find
career opportunities today.
HI! AND THANKS
FOR CHOOSING US
Welcome to the Financial Adviser School. If you’re looking for a
profession which is crying out for new people, offers plenty of variety
and rewards, and allows you to start being successful straight away,
you’ve come to the right place. We provide you with the skills,
qualifications and connections you need to launch your career
as a financial adviser at the end of just 47 weeks.
Whether you’re starting from scratch, changing your career, or taking the next step in financial
services, we’ll give you everything you need to help you break into the advice business.
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.
1
2
3
The Diploma for
Financial Advisers (DipFA®)
The skills you need to work
as a financial adviser
Work placement opportunities,
if you need them
You’ll achieve the benchmark professional
qualification that meets the standards
required for those giving advice on retail
investment products.
Being a successful financial adviser is about
much more than just a qualification. We’ll
teach you the whole process of giving
financial advice from A to Z.
We work in partnership with advice firms
to place you within a business. So you can
benefit from a clear and sponsored career
path, with a firm dedicated to encouraging
and developing you.
Already have
financial services experience?
A second training route is available for those
who already hold some qualifications, including
mortgage and protection advisers. See page 8.
2
WHAT CAN WE
DO FOR YOU?
The Financial Adviser School is part of Old Mutual Wealth, the UK’s
leading wealth management company. If you’re wondering why that’s
important, there are several benefits to you.
The school operates on a not-for-profit basis. So why do we do it?
Old Mutual Wealth has a longstanding reputation for supporting financial advice, as we
believe people who take advice are more likely to reach their financial goals. Our job is as
much about working with advice firms as it is about helping Financial Adviser School students.
By giving those firms an opportunity to sponsor you and other students, they can grow their
businesses and make financial advice more accessible to more people, helping to create
prosperity for the generations of today and tomorrow.
Unrivalled career
opportunities
Industry
insight
Invaluable
experience
Firstly, and most importantly, being one of
the industry’s biggest players means we can
offer you exciting career opportunities you
won’t get elsewhere, with the chance for
you to gain a work placement in one of the
5,000 adviser firms we work with around
the country.
Wondering what it takes to become
an adviser? Coming from an industry
background rather than an academic one
means we’re in the thick of it. So we can
tell you the nitty-gritty of what it takes to be
successful, what challenges you need to
overcome, and exactly what hiring firms
are looking for.
Being a large and established
investment company means we can offer
you a variety of training experiences so you
can become knowledgeable and confident.
Find out more on page 10.
Also within our group of companies is
Intrinsic – the UK’s largest financial advice
network, with a national footprint of over
1,200 adviser firms. So you can leave us
with a career, not just a qualification.
3
WHY BECOME
A FINANCIAL ADVISER?
A career as a financial adviser may suit you if:
You get satisfaction
from helping people
You want lots of
career options
As a financial adviser you’ll
help people achieve the things
they want out of life. So you
can make a real difference,
and get a great sense of
fulfilment along the way.
A huge range of organisations
offer access to financial advice
from small independent firms
through to large insurance
companies, accountancy firms
and even estate agents.
You want a well-paid
career, with clear
progression
You like
flexibility
Financial advisers earn a
competitive income. There are
clear routes to progress through
the ranks (becoming
a Chartered Adviser, for
example) and the ability to
build your own client bank.
You’re a
people-person
One of the most important
things an adviser does is
spend time talking to their
clients to build a relationship
and understand their needs.
Building trust is vital, as people
will be depending on you to
look after their money.
As a financial adviser you
might work from your office or
travel to meet clients in their own
homes, either during the day,
in the evenings, or at weekends.
So there’s an opportunity to
create a healthy work-life
balance and adapt your
workload around your lifestyle.
Regardless of
your background,
now is a great
time to build
your career as a
financial adviser.
You enjoy
variety
Whether it’s explaining
financial matters to clients,
conducting research, writing
reports or networking with other
businesses, you’ll see the whole
process of giving financial
advice through from start to
finish. No day – and no client
– is ever the same!
There is an unprecedented demand for more
advisers. The government is urging people to better
manage their money and plan for their futures, but they have
also changed pension regulations, meaning people can access more
money, earlier in their life. People need help to make the best decisions,
which means there’s no lack of opportunities for you in your new career.
What’s being a
financial adviser really like?
Visit our website to hear from some experienced advisers
about the rewards and challenges in their own words.
4
WHERE ARE YOU
STARTING OUT?
Wherever you’re starting from, we’re here to help you
get a career, not just a qualification. Just answer yes or no to the
questions below to find the right training route for you.
Do you already work in the financial services industry?
Yes
No
If you already have financial services experience you’ll
have seen the fantastic career prospects on offer by
becoming a financial adviser. Having some basic
knowledge is a great starting point. You may also have
the benefit of holding some qualifications already or
having a firm who’ll sponsor your training
(check out the next two questions below).
Whether you’re fresh out of university, or you’re looking
for a change of career, we welcome people with
no prior financial services experience. Our rounded
package of training is designed to give you the essential
skills you need to launch your career, as well as the
Institute of Financial Services Diploma for Financial
Advisers – the industry’s benchmark qualification. There
are also opportunities to meet companies that are keen to
bring in new advisers.
Do you already hold any financial qualifications?
Yes
No
We offer a second, shorter study route for students who
already hold the Financial Services Regulation and Ethics
(FSRE) qualification or equivalent (such as the CII’s RO1).
You’ll still benefit from our soft skills, adviser skills and
business skills training, so by the end of training you’ll
hold the full Diploma for Financial Advisers and be well
on your way to becoming a fully-fledged adviser.
No problem; our full training route starts from scratch
and includes all the study modules you need to achieve
the Institute of Financial Services Diploma for Financial
Advisers. Page 15 outlines the basic entry requirements
and how to get started. And don’t forget, studying with us
is about achieving much more than just a qualification –
take a look at our rounded package of training.
Are you already working in an adviser firm?
Yes
No
Great! If you already work for a financial advice firm,
our flexible training journey enables you to continue so
you can ‘earn as you learn’, gaining valuable experience
at the same time. We can work with your firm to help
you develop. Ask them to contact us to find out what the
Financial Adviser School offers.
Hopefully, you soon will be! We have relationships with
over 5,000 firms that are keen to recruit, train and place
students into their businesses. So you can benefit from
the support and encouragement of an existing adviser
business as you train, with the opportunity to become an
adviser in their firm at the end. In some cases they may
even sponsor your study.
5
SWITCHING CAREER TRACKS?
STEP THIS WAY.
Thanks to the great rewards
and clear routes to progress,
financial advice has always
been a popular choice for people
changing professions. The current
opportunity for a career in
financial advice is huge, so there
are great prospects for those
wanting to make the switch.
Quite simply, if you are motivated
to achieve, there are fantastic
opportunities for you.
Being successful as a financial adviser demands a wide variety of skills, so there’s an
opportunity to apply a broad range of experience you’ve gained in other roles, such
as sales and management skills, IT skills, administration skills, and customer service.
Ensuring our students come from a variety of backgrounds is really important to us, and our
industry. After all, different customers connect with different advisers, so diversity is essential.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR NEW CAREER
If you’re an experienced professional looking for a career change we’ll do everything in our
power to make the transition as smooth and risk-free as possible. Our support includes:
Getting to know you and working with you from the start of
your application to ensure you are making the right decision
Organising a ‘day in the life of an adviser’ experience for
you so you can get a first-hand understanding of what it’s like
Supporting you throughout your journey to becoming skilled, fully
trained and qualified
Helping you find work within the industry – turn to page 11
to see how we can make this happen
6
THE BIG QUESTION:
WHY PICK US?
Unlike a faceless online learning course, we know you’re much more
than just a username. So we’re committed to knowing you personally
and helping you develop, with support that starts from the minute you
apply and continues right through to becoming part of our alumni after
you graduate. It’s just one of the reasons why more and more students
are choosing to train with us.
Unique training
Inspiring ways to learn
You can’t learn how to be a
financial adviser from a textbook
alone. Our rounded package of
training prepares you for your career
by teaching you the broad range of
skills you need to succeed. And of
course you’ll achieve the prestigious
Diploma for Financial Advisers.
When you study with us, you receive
a blend of hands-on experience and
in-depth tuition, including the latest
behavioural techniques to help you
connect with clients in your new role.
Page 10
Pages 8-9
Step into a career
Get there in under a year
It takes just 47 weeks to gain the
skills you need and to achieve
your professional qualification. Our
experienced trainers are waiting to
guide you through the programme.
We’ll introduce you to existing
adviser firms that are looking to take
on new advisers during your training.
So you have plenty of opportunities
to leave us with a career, not just a
qualification.
Page 11
Pages 12-14
Flexible funding
Flick to the relevant pages to find out
more about why you should join the
Financial Adviser School. And remember,
our service is unique so you won’t find
these benefits anywhere else.
Our payment options are designed
to be flexible so you may not need
to worry about the full cost of your
training until you’re earning as an
adviser – or you may be able to get
sponsorship from an advice firm.
Page 15
7
A QUALIFICATION
WITH KUDOS
If you’re going to invest in gaining
a qualification, it’s got to be
worthwhile, recognised in the
industry and yield fantastic results.
The Institute of Financial Services Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipFA®) is the prestigious,
benchmark qualification that meets the standards required for those giving professional
advice on retail investment products. It is approved by the industry’s regulator:
the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
The DipFA® consists of two units, detailed below. We also offer a second training route which
leaves out the unit 1 qualification (Financial Services Regulation and Ethics) if you already have
it or an equivalent qualification such as the R01 from the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Visit our website to find out more
about the DipFA® qualification.
8
WEEKS 1-12
Unit 1:
Financial Services, Regulation
and Ethics (FSRE)
WEEKS 13-47
Unit 2:
Advanced Financial
Advice (AFA)
The unit explores the environment within
which the financial services industry
operates and the key components and
interrelationships of the financial system.
The unit focuses on the principles
underpinning the regulatory framework and
the implications for the advice process. The
unit also develops your understanding of the
importance of risk with specific focus on how
risks relate to institutions and individuals.
The unit also focuses on the legal concepts
relevant to financial advice and the interplay
between regulation and legislation. The unit
examines the FCA’s approach to ethical and
unethical behaviours and develops learners’
understanding of the Code of Ethics. Finally,
the unit introduces the concept of the skills
required to advise clients.
AFA is the second unit and follows on from
the Financial Services, Regulation and
Ethics unit. The AFA unit concentrates on
products, services and legislation that inform
the financial planning and advice process.
The unit focuses on the principles and
theories that underpin investment, retirement
planning and protection and considers
the interrelationships of these topic areas.
The unit also develops your understanding
of the importance of customer oriented
communication and ethical behaviours
through the practical application of financial
planning knowledge and skills through the
advice process.
LIKE TO THINK
OUTSIDE THE BOX?
If so, you’ll love our fully
supported, rounded package of
training, guaranteed to help you
stand out to hiring firms.
Our training incorporates all the knowledge and skills you need to give people financial
advice in a real-life scenario. So you’ll have the tools you need to start your new career
at the end of 47 weeks, as well as having achieved a professional qualification.
It’s not just lip service; see ‘Why it matters’ below.
Why it matters
After graduating from the Financial Adviser School, you will probably go on to become a
trainee financial adviser within a firm. Then, to become a fully-fledged financial adviser, you
must reach ‘competent adviser status’ – a benchmark that ensures you’re capable of giving
advice.
The broad training we give means that when you become a trainee adviser you’ll already
have received training in many of the things you need in order to achieve competent adviser
status – such as how to assess and record a client’s attitude to risk, and write compliant
reports. Firms looking to recruit you will be impressed too, because you should be able to get
stuck in quicker than you would otherwise.
I
FA
• T he Level 4 Diploma for
Financial Advisers –
see page 7.
Q
BUS
ED
IN
IF I
ES
AL
Professional
financial
adviser
R
SK
K
SE
IL
VI
LS
AD
• The advice process
• Undertaking research
• Presenting
• Implementing solutions
• Conducting reviews
• The use of technology
DI P
S
SK
S
LL
U
• Developing business networks
• Creating a business model and
writing business plans
• How to work profitably
• Examining moral and ethical issues
IL L
S
SO
FT
S
• Customer service skills
• Connecting with clients
• Developing effective
communication
• Handling objections
• Negotiating and
influencing skills
• Time management
9
MOTIVATION AND INSPIRATION
IN BUCKET LOADS
Let’s face it, studying is pretty
boring if you’re just reading a
book. Not only that, but to get
a real understanding, you need
somebody to bring the issues
alive, explain the things you’re
unsure of and answer questions.
It’s even better if you can put the
things you’ve learned into practice
straight away.
Sounds good? Look no further! The Financial Adviser School’s rich and blended learning
experience is designed to help you achieve success, through a combination of:
In-depth tuition, both face-to-face and via weekly virtual classrooms
Valuable insight into clients’ responses and how to connect with them,
by studying behavioural economics
Spending time with our asset management, marketing and compliance teams
Regular assessments to test your knowledge and give you extra support
where you need it
Fastrack learning through case studies, quick-fact cards and webcasts
Recommending areas of self-study in between organised training sessions
Our promise
We want you to succeed. So we’ll do everything in our power to
help you pass the programme.
It’s why we give you our full support at every point. Our trainers are
always on hand to answer your questions, plus you’ll benefit from a
fully-resourced team backed by Old Mutual Wealth, the UK’s leading
wealth management company.
10
FINDING YOU YOUR
‘BIG BREAK’
As we all know, all too often, being
qualified still doesn’t guarantee
you a career in the subject you’ve
studied. It’s why the training we
give you is only part of the story.
If you’re not already working for a financial advice firm, we promise to introduce you to
existing companies that are looking for new advisers, to help you find a suitable business to
join during, or after, studying.
As a result you’ll benefit from:
A flying start to your career
Potential sponsorship for your training, reducing/removing the cost to you
The support and encouragement of an existing regulated firm
The opportunity to develop a career that suits your aspirations and location
Often, the experience of working at your new firm while you study
It’s your future. We’ll help you grab it.
We’re only successful if we achieve a great result for you and the adviser firms we
work with. So our focus is on finding a business you are well-matched to, and with
whom you feel enthusiastic and confident about starting your career.
We’ll strive to introduce you to a number of firms throughout your time with us so that
you can make the best choice for your future.
This is where the support of
Old Mutual Wealth helps. With
connections to 5,000 advice firms
across the UK, we really are best
placed to help you start your
career. Read more on page 3.
11
ZERO TO HERO
IN JUST 47 WEEKS
Ready to get started? We run a new training programme most months
so you won’t need to wait more than a few weeks to get on the path
to success. You can then become a fully-qualified, fully-trained financial
adviser in under 11 months.
Our innovative and efficient two-track approach means you’ll gain the technical knowledge you
need to earn your Diploma whilst also developing the vital personal and business skills you need
to become an adviser.
MONTH 3
SIT FSRE EXAM IF YOU
DON’T ALREADY HOLD IT
Assessment centre
ensures training
is a good fit
Training is designed to be flexible
around your work commitments,
so you can continue to work whilst
studying.
12
SOFT
SKILLS
Assessment Centre
We want you to succeed. So before training commences we invite you to attend an assessment
centre. It’s much less scary than it sounds, and is an opportunity for you to meet our friendly team,
get a flavour of what the Financial Adviser School is about, and ensure you’re well-suited to
undertake a career as a professional financial adviser.
The day includes exercises in different areas such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving
and task management. No preparation is required and you don’t need to have any prior
financial services knowledge.
As a result, you can feel confident that you’ll achieve success through the programme
MONTH 7
submit assignment
MONTH 9
sit final exam
SUCCESS!
ADVISER
SKILLS
BUSINESS
SKILLS
13
MEET THE TRAINERS
The Financial Adviser School trainers
are committed to helping you
achieve success. Having worked as
financial advisers themselves, with
combined industry experience of
over 35 years, they have the firsthand knowledge of what it takes to
have a prosperous career.
They’ll work with you to help you gain
confidence in all areas of the curriculum; from
technical knowledge through to soft skills such
as building trust with clients and handling
objections.
David Trowell
Trainer
Caroline HUNN
Trainer
David joined the school at its inception and
has seen three intakes progress through the
school. Prior to joining the Financial Adviser
School, David worked with Sesame for
11 years as a trainer and events host.
David started his career in financial services
in 1990 as an agent with Pearl Assurance
and then a financial adviser with Sun Life
of Canada.
With over 20 years’ experience in the
financial services industry Caroline has
worked as a financial adviser and regional
manager for both Aviva and Legal &
General. Caroline has worked with financial
advisers through many industry changes and
at different stages of their careers. Caroline
enjoys the ever-changing environment of
financial services and supporting advisers in
order that they may continue to provide
a professional service for their clients.
Qualifications
Qualifications
• AF4 Investment planning
• TAP certificate in Training Delivery
• CII Diploma in Financial Planning
• CII Certificate in Equity Release
• IFS CeMAP
• CII Diploma in Financial Planning
• IFS Certificate of regulated Equity Release
•C
II Certificate in Lifetime Mortgage
Activities
• IFS Certificate of Regulated General
Insurance
• CII Certificate in Life & Pensions
• IFS Certificate in Mortgage Advice
& Practice
Victoria MULCAHY
Programme Co-ordinator
Victoria has been part of the school since its inception and has a great deal of experience in
the co-ordination of a training team, having spent 20 years in events staff training. Victoria is
your first port of call with regards to the Financial Adviser School programme, study material,
exams and general queries with regards to the programme.
14
COSTS AND
STUDY ROUTES
To join the Financial Adviser School
and get started in your future
career, you only need an advance
payment of £1,000.
We’ll then give you a loan, subject to status,
for the balance of £5,000, which can be
repaid through one of two options:
1. Payment over 12 months starting no later
than 15 months after induction.
2. Payment over 24 months from the start of
the course.
These options are designed to give you
flexibility depending on the career path you
take. For example, if you choose the first
option, you may be able to defer paying
for your training until you start earning as a
financial adviser.
How to apply
Applying is easy. There’s no need for you to have prior financial services experience or
qualifications, although ideally you should have a minimum of five GCSEs including maths
and English.
1. G
et in touch with us to discuss joining and to request an application form.
T: 0845 602 2050 | E: [email protected] | W: www.thefaschool.co.uk
2. O
n receipt of your successful application, you’ll be invited to our informal
assessment centre.
3. O
n passing the assessment centre, you will be invited to join our next induction day,
which usually takes place in the last week of each month.
4. Your 47-week training programme then starts at the beginning of the following month.
POTENTIAL SPONSORSHIP
If you need us to, we’ll try to help you find an adviser firm to potentially sponsor
your training. In which case the cost to you may be removed or reduced, or you
may come to an arrangement with the firm whereby you repay them out of your
earnings once you start working for the business. This will be a personal agreement
between you and the business you’re looking to join, however we can facilitate the
conversations to help you come to a mutually beneficial arrangement.
15
T: 0845 602 2050
E: [email protected]
www.thefaschool.co.uk
Issued by: The Financial Adviser School, 90 New North Road, Edgerton, Huddersfield, HD1 5NE. The Financial Adviser School is a Registered Trademark of Intrinsic
Financial Planning Limited, registered in England No 5506637. Registered Office: Wiltshire Court, Farnsby Street, Swindon, SN1 5AH.
SK12773/216-0652/June 2016