Financial planner under an adviser network

Individuals and families planning for retirement, people with workplace pensions or lump sums, and small business owners wanting personal and family protection.

Initial and ongoing advice fees agreed with each client, plus commission on some protection policies. The network usually takes a share or charges a fee, so check the split carefully.

• Explaining money clearly without jargon
• Building trust and long-term client relationships
• Careful record keeping and attention to detail

• FCA authorisation is required to give regulated advice, which here usually comes through the network, so check how it works and who is responsible
• Check qualification and supervision requirements, as new advisers are often supervised for a period
• Network fees, revenue share and professional indemnity cover vary a lot, so read the contract carefully
• Income can take months to build while you qualify and find clients, so plan your finances for that gap
• Giving unsuitable advice can lead to complaints and compensation claims, so follow your network's processes

Startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £8,000, depending on the network you join, its fees and your own setup. These are estimates, so read each network's contract carefully before signing.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on your client base and network terms. These are estimates. Income can take months to build while you qualify and find clients, so plan for that gap.

FCA authorisation is required for regulated advice, usually through the network, so check how it works and who is responsible. Also check qualification and supervision requirements, network fees, revenue share and professional indemnity cover.