What to look for in a financial adviser
- FCA registration (independent or restricted disclosed)
- Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning (Level 4) minimum
- Chartered Financial Planner (Level 6) for complex work
- Initial disclosure document with fee structure
- Independent vs restricted status disclosed in writing
- Specialist permissions where relevant (pension transfers, equity release)
Typical pricing: £500-£1,500 initial fact-find and recommendation, 0.5-1.0% ongoing on assets, £150-£300/hr
Regulator / certification: Financial Conduct Authority (mandatory), Chartered Insurance Institute / CISI qualifications