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Financial Adviser

Kaiwhakatakoto Kaupapa Pūtea

Financial advisers give advice about financial planning, investing, insurance and other financial services.

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Secondary education

You usually need NCEA Level 3 to do the study or training for this job. Useful subjects include English, business studies, maths, economics and accounting.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Certificate
  • Diploma
  • Bachelor's degree

Useful experience

Useful experience for financial advisers includes:

  • banking or customer service
  • accounting or auditing
  • management.

What you will do

Financial advisers may do some or all of the following:

  • identify clients' short, medium and long-term financial goals
  • prepare suitable financial or investment plans
  • encourage clients to keep to their plans
  • review clients' taxation, retirement planning and sources of income
  • review clients' estate planning and insurance needs
  • report on clients' investments every three to six months.

Skills and knowledge

Financial advisers need to have:

  • the ability to understand and interpret financial and investment markets
  • knowledge of financial planning, taxation, investments, mortgages and insurance
  • the ability to research market and financial information.
Pay

Financial advisers usually earn

$70K-$129K

per year

Financial advisers can earn

$52K-$215K

per year

Job opportunities
Good
Chances of getting a job as a financial adviser are good due to high demand for their services.
Length of training
1-2
years of training usually required.

Industry

Finance

Financial advisers give advice about financial planning, investing, insurance and other financial services.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

You need a qualification to become a financial adviser and experience may be useful.

You need:

  • a New Zealand Certificate in Financial Services (Level 5).

You may need

  • experience in similar work
  • a Bachelor's degree in business, finance, commerce or similar
  • to be a member of Financial Advice New Zealand
  • to be a Certified Financial Planner.

Chances of getting a job

Range of factors contribute to strong demand for financial advisers

Demand for financial advisers is expected to continue rising as:

  • highly skilled advisers are in shortage, particularly in Christchurch and Wellington
  • an increasing number of workers close to retirement are seeking investment advice
  • a large number of financial advisers are likely to retire in the next 10 to 15 years.

Demand best for skilled financial advisers

Chances of getting work as a financial adviser are best for those who have:

  • customer service skills
  • market analysis skills
  • knowledge of legal compliance and risk management
  • accounting skills.

Most financial advisers self-employed

Financial advisers may work for:

  • banks
  • mortgage firms
  • insurance companies
  • financial investment firms.

Many financial advisers are self-employed.

Find out more about training

Financial Advice New Zealand
0800 432 101 - info@financialadvice.co.nz - financialadvice.nz
Strategi
09 414 1300 - support@strategi.ac.nz - https://shop.strategi.ac.nz/

Progression and specialisations

Financial advisers may progress to set up their own financial planning businesses, or move into management roles.

Financial advisers may specialise in:

  • insurance
  • investments
  • risk management
  • sharebroking
  • underwriting
  • mortgages.

 

Working conditions

Financial advisers:

  • usually work regular business hours, but may work weekends or evenings to meet deadlines
  • work in offices, but may travel to visit clients.

Useful personal qualities

Financial advisers need to be:

  • honest and trustworthy
  • able to keep information confidential
  • able to use good judgement
  • good at communicating and listening
  • skilled at planning
  • good at sales
  • strong problem solvers.

Related Wintec courses

Industry

Finance

Financial advisers give advice about financial planning, investing, insurance and other financial services.

Similar jobs in this industry

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