Grampa Jack knows exactly what an IFA is: a blue-rinsed, plaid-skirted lady with the ability to count the contents of a wallet from fifty paces.
Yes, Granny Ina has been Grampa’s independent financial adviser ever since that day he invested in a racehorse that turned out to be a retired beach donkey.
If you’d like to launch your own career as an IFA, a role that will see you giving the kind of advice to clients that can prove life changing, you’ve come to the right place.
Not only does s1jobs have the latest IFA vacancies, we can help you discover everything you need to know about this part of the financial services world.
Let’s kick off with the job title and the word independent is crucial here.
A bank, mortgage or pensions adviser will only advise on the financial products that are available from their own bank, building society or insurance company. This makes their role more that of a sales person.
Being an independent adviser removes any restrictions and frees you up to look at all ways to help your client improve their financial health and wellbeing.
Researching the entire market enables you to recommend the most suitable products: your guidance is unbiased and aimed solely at serving the client’s particular circumstances.
You’re going to have to be good with people to do this because most days you’ll be talking directly to clients, learning all about their current cash situation and what their needs and aspirations are.
The next step will involve a meticulous search for the most appropriate products before explaining how they work.
This means being able to explain often complex jargon in a way that can be easily understood – clients appreciate being given clear and simple explanations, while not feeling they’re being baby talked through the options.
Very often you’ll follow up on how things are progressing and many clients will find their needs change through life events such as having a baby or getting married.
This means you could build up long lasting relationships.
It also means an incredible sense of satisfaction and pride when you see how your advice is making lives more rewarding.
If you’re at the beginning of your journey into financial services there are apprenticeship opportunities, while a degree could fast track you into a graduate training scheme.
If you’re already hard at work, perhaps as a paraplanner, you’ll find your skills can easily find a new home in the IFA world.
Find out more about IFA roles and Financial Services vacancies with s1jobs.