What to look for
Financial advisers handle pensions, investments, ISAs, protection (life, critical illness, income protection), retirement planning, and increasingly later-life planning around equity release and long-term care. The category divides between independent (whole-of-market) and restricted advisers, with all UK practitioners regulated by the FCA.
- 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 (UK 2026)
Regulator / certification to look for: Financial Conduct Authority (mandatory), Chartered Insurance Institute / CISI qualifications