Associate Independent Financial Adviser

Role title: Associate Independent Financial Adviser

Reports to: Academy Training Lead

Location: Hybrid (minimum of 3 days per week in the Regional office - London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Reading, Leeds, Bristol)

Hours of work: 35 hours each week (with flexibility to meet deadlines as required)

SMCR Function: This is a Certified Role

Background summary on the role

Upon joining Ascot Lloyd, Associate IFAs undertake a structured 12-month training programme designed to develop their expertise and commercial acumen to become fully competent financial advisers.

The programme is divided into three key parts:

1. Part 1 - Qualifications: Associates will pursue a fully funded CII Diploma in Regulated Financial Services (R01-R06) through a blend of digital learning and specialist support.
2. Part 2 - Advice Process & Commercial Skills: Training covers the full advice process, strategic relationship-building, client development, and commercial skills through workshops, digital content, and role-play scenarios.
3. Part 3 - Practical Application: Associates apply their learning in real scenarios, supported by continued advanced skills workshops.

Throughout the programme, Associates will learn how to grow and retain client relationships, meet revenue targets, and represent Ascot Lloyd's brand values. The role is fully employed from day one and comes with a competitive rewards package.

Key Responsibilities

Through extensive training, development and mentoring by our Head of Adviser Academy, Academy Training Lead, Regional Development lead and experienced Advisers in AL, you will learn to:

• Provide financial advice to clients on a range of whole of market financial planning solutions.
• Provide clients with an exceptional service, ensuring that all reviews are undertaken regularly and in accordance with their agreed service propositions to maintain and grow our recurring revenue stream.
• Develop strong and holistic client relationships in line with our client service proposition.
• Actively seek to identify new business opportunities both internally and externally to support the growth of the business.
• Regularly review your personal development and performance with the Academy Training Lead and Regional Development lead, in line with Ascot Lloyd's defined T&C scheme.
• Achieve organisational, operational, personal, and behavioural objectives, whilst demonstrating Ascot Lloyd's values and core competencies.
• Expand client opportunities via networking with external bodies.
• Ensure that MI reporting is completed timely and accurately as directed by Ascot Lloyd or Adviser Relationship Manager.
• Meet set KPIs both in terms of service levels, Advice revenue and compliance standards.
• Support the Treating your Customers Fairly (TCF) & Consumer Duty initiatives by ensuring you operate in line with FCA requirements.

SM&CR Responsibilities

As an FCA regulated company, Ascot Lloyd is required to adhere to the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR), fostering a culture of personal responsibility.

Individual Conduct Rules

1. You must act with integrity.
2. You must act with due care, skill and diligence.
3. You must be open and co-operative with the FCA, PRA and other regulators.
4. You must pay due regard to the interests of customers and treat them fairly.
5. You must observe proper standards of market conduct.
6. You must act to deliver good outcomes for clients.

You also operate in accordance with Ascot Lloyd policies and procedures, including Compliance, Operational and Training & Development (T&D).

Act in accordance with the FCA's Statement of Principles and Code of Conduct for Approved Persons, and all other regulatory bodies, including the Fit and Proper principles.

Experience / Skills Required

• Prior to commencing as an Associate Adviser with Ascot Lloyd, the applicant must have passed a minimum of the CII R01 and R05 exams.
• Display a positive and engaged attitude with a willingness to learn and develop new skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (presentational; listening; diplomacy; influencing).
• Keen attention to detail.
• Collaborative working.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Clear commitment to an effective and efficient organisation.
• Proven record of delivering all work accurately, on time, and to agreed SLAs.
• Work effectively as a member of a team.
• Participate in projects and identify areas for continuous improvement.
• Work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Interest in financial markets/personal financial planning.
• Ability to carry out all activity with integrity and professionalism.