Career Suggestion

Mortgage adviser

Mortgage advisers help people to choose a finance deal which is right for them when buying a property.

Average salary (a year)

£27000.0 to £70000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

36.0 to 42.0 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays as customers demand

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • training with a professional body

College

You could do a college course which will give you some of the skills and knowledge you need to get into a trainee mortgage adviser role.

Courses include:

  • business
  • business and administration
  • T Level in Finance

Once working, your employer may put you through mortgage advice training.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
  • search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Mortgage Adviser Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, or Financial Adviser Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

These take between 1 and 2 years to complete. They combine training on the job and study with a learning provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Work

You could join a bank or building society as a customer service adviser, or a mortgage administrator in a firm of brokers.

You could then move into mortgage advice, as you gain more experience and complete relevant qualifications while working.

Other Routes

You could apply to take a qualification in mortgage advice that is recognised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). There are several qualifications available, such as the:

Once you've completed your training, you will need to be employed by a company that offers mortgage advice services. You'll work under supervision and be assessed in order to achieve competent adviser status. This is needed to register with the FCA as an 'approved person'.

More Information

Registrations

you'll need to register as an 'approved person' by the Financial Conduct Authority

Career Tips

The salary on some job adverts may include a figure for on-target earnings (OTE). This relies on meeting individual or company sales targets. In cases like this, you should check what proportion of the salary is made up of OTE.

Further Information

You can find out more about careers in the financial industry through Walbrook Institute London .

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • maths knowledge
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • administration skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

Day-to-day tasks

As a mortgage adviser, you would:

  • talk to clients about type of property they want
  • gather information from clients about their finances
  • research suitable mortgage products and explain how they work
  • guide clients through the mortgage application and buying process
  • advise on related insurance products, if appropriate
  • work closely with estate agents, valuers and mortgage lenders
  • meet company sales targets
  • keep up to date with mortgage products, market trends and regulations

Working environment

You could work in a contact centre, in an office, at a client's home or at a client's business.

With experience, you could manage a team of mortgage advisers, or you could choose to become a self-employed independent adviser.

You could also take further training to become a financial adviser , offering guidance on insurance, pensions and investments.

You may wish to use your skills to work in the wider property sector, for example as an estate agent or licensed conveyancer .

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