How can I work in financial planning jobs?

Financial planners, also referred to as financial advisors and personal financial consultants, earn a living by aiding people in choosing financial products. They work for small and large financial companies

What qualifications do financial planners hold?

They may also set up their own businesses. Find out more about the skills and training whir are required to become successful in careers in financial planning.
Qualifications Financial planners typically hold bachelor's degrees in accounting, finance, business, law, economics or mathematics. University courses in estate planning, risk management, investment and tax may be advantageous.

What does a financial planner do?

Skills
Financial planners must be skilled sales people. They must be able to communicate with individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Financial planners must possess an analytical mind. They should be able to work independently and enjoy the challenge of building up their own client base. The majority of financial planners are compensated through commissions. A prospective financial planner must be comfortable with earning in this way. Roles Financial planners must identify and contact prospective clients who they consider to be in need of financial advice. Referrals often provide financial planners with an important source of new clients. Clients can be obtained through using an existing customer database at the financial firm for which a financial planner is employed, through cold calling or through networking. The most successful financial planners are those who possess a broad social network. Accountants, auditors and insurance sales people often enter into financial planning careers as they possess the contacts required to become successful in the field. Setting up meetings Once they have contacted a potential client, a financial planner must set up a meeting, either in an office environment or in the clients’ own home or business premises. They must conduct a thorough review of a client’s financial circumstances and future aims.
Designing the plans Using the information they obtain, a financial planner must design a financial plan for their client and help the client to make an informed decision as to the types of financial product they wish to acquire. A financial planner may be required to promote or sell financial products to achieve sales targets. They must negotiate with the suppliers of financial products to ensure they acquire the best rates for their client. They keep in contact with a client to inform them of new products or changes to their existing product.

Where do financial planners work?

The majority of financial planners are employed by finance and insurance companies. A small number of financial planners are self-employed and operate in small financial advisory companies, typically in urban locations. Financial planning jobs are expected to increase in the coming years. This is the result of increased public awareness of the importance of investing into retirement plans.