Financial advice qualifications programme
Financial advice is built on trust and expertise, with lasting client relationships at its core. Our Academy welcomes people from diverse careers – such as barbers, police officers, and engineers, with nearly half coming from outside Financial Services. Successful advisers stand out for their empathy, communication, and ability to connect meaningfully in today’s digital-first world.
Watch this short video where Matthew Ings, Head of Academy, will tell you a bit more about the Academy.
Stage 1: Gain qualification (Complete CII Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning)
10–12 months (part-time study)
Whilst working in your current job, you'll be expected to commit to at least seven hours of studying per week.
You’ll be given information to begin the process of either setting up your new business or joining an existing one.
Find out more about the qualification in the Academy Guide
Stage 2: Financial Adviser Foundation Programme
2 months (full time)
The skills and best practice you need to work effectively and compliantly with clients.
The knowledge and ability to work with products available through our proposition, systems and processes, and get the sign-off needed to start engaging with clients.
You must be present in the UK for the duration of Stage 1 and Stage 2 to complete the required in person and/or online training modules.
Stage 3: Competent Adviser Status
24 months (full time)
You’ll be allocated an Academy supervisor. They'll work with you to provide you all the support and development you need to achieve your Competent Adviser Status (CAS).
You’ll start to engage with clients, with appropriate supervision and oversight in place to support you. And you’ll begin to earn an income at this stage.
This is a regulator-driven status.
You'll receive continued support in your role as a new adviser. Building confidence in our new financial advisers. You’ll participate in regular Partnership Development meetings, receive timely and relevant communications, and have access to a range of dedicated support teams.
Beyond Stage 3
As an adviser, you’ll continue to benefit from our ongoing support through your Supervision and Development Consultant, attend regular Partnership Development meetings, receive important and relevant communications, as well as having a range of support teams on hand.
You’ll also work on continual professional development, and you can even decide whether you want to progress towards Chartered Financial Planner status.
Whether you're new to advice, already working towards your Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning or already qualified, you can still join our Academy. You’ll start our programme at Stage 2, which is all about setting you up for success.
Our training has been carefully designed to expand your technical knowledge and help you to develop the skills and behaviours you need to become a competent financial adviser.
Stage 2: Financial Adviser Foundation Programme
1–2 months (full-time)
- Advice process and meeting structure
- Services and costs disclosure
- Positioning needs and assessing budget
- Investment and risk
- M&G Proposition – products and services
- Systems and processes
- Client acquisition strategies
Stage 3: Competent Adviser Status
24 months (full time)
- Allocated an Academy supervisor
- Meet with clients under supervision
- Develop your skills to maximise the client experience and opportunity
- Achieving CAS status
- This is a regulator-driven status
- You've gained competent adviser status
- You’ll carry out initial and presentation meetings with your clients, without close supervision.
- Your Academy supervisor will help with complex cases and continue to support you with your personal development
Beyond Stage 3
As an adviser, you’ll continue to benefit from our ongoing support through your Supervision and Development Consultant, attend regular Partnership Development meetings, receive important and relevant communications, as well as having a range of support teams on hand.
You’ll also work on continual professional development, and you can even decide whether you want to progress towards Chartered Financial Planner status.
What makes a great financial adviser?
We believe the makings of a great financial adviser begins with who you are—not just what you know. It’s your personal qualities, life experiences, and the unique perspective you bring, that really sets you apart.
Empathy, emotional intelligence, and the ability to build trust are at the heart of meaningful client relationships. These qualities create a strong foundation on which you can develop the technical skills, knowledge, and qualifications needed to thrive as a financial adviser.
You enjoy working with people
One of the most valuable skills a financial adviser can have is the ability to really connect with clients and understand their individual needs. By spending time together, these genuine interactions lay the groundwork for strong, lasting relationships.
You enjoy variety
By engaging with a diverse range of clients and collaborating across businesses, financial advisers encounter a wide variety of situations. Each offer unique opportunities to tailor financial solutions that meet individual needs.
You want job satisfaction
You'll play a key role in guiding clients as they define their financial goals and work towards achieving them. Helping them secure a more comfortable financial future.
You want to be in control
If you’re running your own business, you’re in charge of its direction and growth. With our ongoing support from us, you also have the freedom to shape your earning potential.
Career prospects
Whether it’s something you’ve been considering for a while or have just recently become interested in, it's important to understand exactly what a financial adviser does. There can be a huge amount of variety within the role but, some of the key responsibilities of a financial adviser are:
- spending valuable time talking to potential clients to understand their advice needs
- establishing rapport and building long-term relationships with clients
- conducting in-depth reviews of clients’ personal and financial circumstances, their goals and objectives for the future
- understanding clients’ attitude to taking risk and their capacity for loss
- analysing information, designing financial plans and preparing recommendations
- recommending a range of financial solutions to clients
- reviewing and responding to clients’ changing needs and financial circumstances
- communicating, where necessary, with other relevant professionals in relation to clients’ circumstances
- keeping up-to-date with legal, taxation and regulatory legislation
- liaising with clients in relation to changes to legislation that may affect their financial plans
- conducting business within the regulatory framework
Earnings as an adviser are, to an extent, within each adviser’s control. Experienced advisers can earn anywhere between £50,000 and £250,000 per year, depending on the number of clients and their advice needs.
These are the expectations we have for an adviser, once they have completed their financial adviser qualification through the Academy and working within M&G Wealth Advice:
around £25,000 per year
Year 1
around £50,000 per year
Year 2
around £75,000+ per year
Year 3
Our support doesn’t stop once you’re qualified, you're able to choose the route that's best for you. Whatever your choice, we’ll provide all the support and guidance you need.
Start your own business
We have the knowledge and expertise to help you establish, run and build a successful business.
Join one of our existing firms
We have many established successful businesses that can help support your journey.
Support beyond the Academy
The support and guidance offered throughout the Academy doesn't stop once you’ve become a fully qualified financial adviser. M&G Wealth Advice provides you with a dedicated Supervision and Development Consultant who delivers guidance, coaching, motivation, skill development and mentoring.
A range of specialist support teams
Business Consultancy Manager
Regular partnership development meetings
Frequent online communication
Build a successful business
We believe every adviser should be business people who deliver expert financial advice. While starting a new business can be challenging, we’re here to support you every step of the way, from marketing and operations to long-term growth.
Clients are the heart of any successful business. That’s why, alongside ongoing business development support, we also provide qualified client leads.
Meet our graduates
Discover the journeys of our Academy alumni through a series of inspiring video stories. Hear directly from qualified financial advisers who have successfully completed our training programme, and learn how the Academy helped shape their careers, build their confidence, and launch their own businesses.