Jobs in the finance industry can be rewarding and lucrative. As an advisor, you will deal with an array of different people, experience a range of challenges and you could earn more than £100,000 per year. It’s no wonder then that competition for roles in the industry is stiff. If you want to make your way in this field, you’ll need to ensure you gain the relevant skills and qualifications.

For example, you may benefit from taking advantage of the range courses offered by specialist training providers such as Simply Academy.

The basics

As a financial advisor, you will provide your clients with advice covering a range of topics. These could include savings, investments, mortgages, insurance and more. To do this successfully, you’ll need to be able to not only understand complex information, but also explain this in a way that is clear and simple for your clients.

To help ensure you are competent in your role, you must take a qualification in financial planning that has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority. Usually, this is done through an employer. However, this isn’t always the case.

It helps if you have at least GCSEs in maths and English, as well as some relevant work experience in areas such as sales, finance or customer service.

Choosing the right courses

Once you’ve set your mind on becoming a financial advisor, it’s important that you find the right course. A popular option is a CeMAP®. This stands for a Certificate in Mortgage Advice & Practice and it is recognised by the Financial Services Skills Council.

More than 80% of mortgage advisors hold one of these qualifications and it can prove to be a vital step in getting your career off the ground.

A study solution that suits you

Completing an in-depth course like this takes time and effort. To help ensure you stand the best possible chance of success, it’s important to find a method of studying that suits your requirements.

You might benefit from completing courses online. This will enable you to study at your own pace and it also means you can learn from your home, office or anywhere else where you have a web connection. Alternatively, you may find you are more disciplined if you decide to study at a set pace in a classroom environment.

Choosing the right style of learning is just as important as selecting the right course. As long as you put plenty of thought into this issue and make sure you pursue the most suitable qualifications, you should be able to get your career in health and safety off to the best possible start.