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Financial Adviser

Kaiwhakatakoto Kaupapa Pūtea

Alternative titles for this job

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

Pay

Financial advisers with one to three years' experience usually earn

$70K-$120K per year

Financial advisers with three to seven years' experience usually earn

$100K-$250K per year

Source: careers.govt.nz research, 2022.

Job opportunities

Chances of getting a job as a financial adviser are good due to high demand for their services.

Pay

Pay for financial advisers varies depending on qualifications, experience, the number of clients they have, and the type of work they do.

  • Financial advisers with one to three years' experience usually earn between $70,000 and $120,000 a year.
  • Financial advisers with three to seven years' experience and an established client base usually earn between $100,000 and $250,000.
  • Very experienced financial advisers may earn more than $250,000.

Financial advisers usually earn commission on top of their salary. For self-employed financial advisers, income may be entirely made up of commission.

Source: careers.govt.nz research, 2022.

(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our pay information)

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.

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.

Entry requirements

To become a financial adviser you need to have:

  • a New Zealand Certificate in Financial Services (Level 5), with a strand in one of the following: Investment; Life, Disability, and Health Insurance; General Insurance; Residential Property Lending
  • a Financial Advice Provider (FAP) licence or be engaged to operate under a Financial Advice Provider's licence as a financial adviser or a nominated representative.

Secondary education

NCEA Level 3 is required to enter tertiary training. Useful subjects include English, business studies, maths, economics and accounting.

Personal requirements

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.

Useful experience

Useful experience for financial advisers includes:

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

Registration

All financial advisers must be registered on the Financial Service Providers Register.

Find out more about training

Financial Advice New Zealand
0800 432 101 - info@financialadvice.co.nz - financialadvice.nz
The Skills Organisation
0508 754 557 - support@skills.org.nz - www.skills.org.nz
Check out related courses

What are the 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.

In 2018 in New Zealand:

  • fewer than 1,900 people worked as financial advisers
  • about 6,500 people worked as registered financial advisers
  • about 21,000 people worked as qualified financial entity advisers (who are not registered but work for businesses that are).

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.

Sources

  • Beale, J, general manager wealth, ASB, careers.govt.nz interview, July 2018.
  • Financial Markets Authority, 'QFE Insurance Providers' Replacement Business Practices', July 2018, (fma.govt.nz).
  • Good Returns, 'Compliance Skills in Demand', 2 February 2016, (www.goodreturns.co.nz).
  • Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, 'Occupational Outlook – Financial Advisers', August 2018, (www.mbie.govt.nz).
  • Pomfrett, O, head of people and performance, Craigs Investment Partners, careers.govt.nz interview, July 2018.
  • Stock, R, 'Financial Advisers Cluster Around Wealth, Financial Markets Authority Census Shows,' 27 March 2017, (www.stuff.co.nz).

(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our job opportunities information)

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.

 

Last updated 19 July 2022