Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

The Work

The Work

An Assistant Financial Adviser is a qualified worker capable of carrying out competently, under normal operational conditions, the day-to-day tasks arising in a Life Assurance/Mortgage Broker environment.

These tasks include conducting insurance business that conforms to regulatory changes; maintaining client files as specified by the Central Bank; inputting client and policy details to the computer and liaising with Insurers and Lenders.

The assistant financial adviser helps the financial adviser better manage their time by handling routine customer inquiries and should be familiar with financial terms and processes.

Employment opportunities can be found with mortgage brokers, banks and other financial institutions.

You will have opportunities to progress to senior positions in the Financial Services sector through your experience and further education or training which you may undertake in areas such as banking, mortgages and pensions.

Tasks

• Provide support to the financial advisor.
• Conducting insurance business that conforms to regulatory changes
• Maintaining client files as specified by the Central Bank
• Inputting client and policy details on computer
• Liaising with Insurers and Lenders.
• Answering customer queries relating to life assurance and mortgage broking
• Implementing financial planning recommendations or refer clients to someone who can assist them with a plan implementation.
• Answer clients' questions about the purposes and details of financial plans and strategies.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Interview clients to determine their current income, expenses, insurance coverage, tax status, financial objectives, risk tolerance, or other information needed to develop a financial plan.
• Recommend to clients strategies in cash management, insurance coverage, investment planning, or other areas to help them achieve their financial goals.
• Manage client portfolios, keeping client plans up-to-date.
• Implement financial planning recommendations or refer clients to someone who can assist them with plan implementation.
• Analyse financial information obtained from clients to determine strategies for meeting clients' financial objectives.
• Answer clients' questions about the purposes and details of financial plans and strategies.
• Review clients' accounts and plans regularly to determine whether life changes, economic changes, environmental concerns, or financial performance indicate a need for plan reassessment.
• Contact clients periodically to determine any changes in their financial status.
• Investigate available investment opportunities to determine compatibility with client financial plans.
• Explain to clients the personal financial advisor's responsibilities and the types of services to be provided.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Apprenticeship Route

The official entry route for a Financial Adviser - Assistant is through undertaking an apprenticeship.

Click here to find information on the International Financial Services Associate apprenticeship

There are many paths to develop skills in a Financial adviser Career.  

FET Centre Traineeship Business & Office admin, Accounts Technician at NFQ Level 5 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses Office admin, banking & Financial services, Business & Finance, business courses at NFQ levels 5-6 Search our PLC coursefinder

Apprenticeship Insurance, sales, International Financial Services NFQ level 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Business, Commerce, Economics, Maths & Statistics, Accounts & Finance at NFQ Levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Professional Development

Qualified Finanicial Adviser courses: 

Paid course for Qualified financial adviser can be accessed for banking and finance. People gaining employment and exploring part time studt and career development can pursue QFA exams for Qualified financial adviser

Entry requirements: 

-An equivalent qualification at the same level (e.g. A levels; Highers/Advanced Highers (Scotland), International Baccalaureate; European Baccalaureate etc).

-Any QQI level 5/6 FE qualification is acceptable.

-All applicants are required to have competency in English endorsed by the Irish Leaving Certificate or other equivalent award.

-All learners are required to be proficient in English. Where a candidate’s mother tongue is not English, he or she is required to provide a proof of proficiency in the English language through satisfactory performance on an internationally recognised test (e.g. IELTS 5.5) or other similar English Language qualifications.

-Mature applicants who do not have a Leaving Certificate will be assessed for entry based on work experience along with a demonstrated commitment towards the academic requirements for the programme. This may be assessed using a written application from the candidate and/or by interview. Such learners will have relevant employment and will have access to the IT facilities necessary to participate in the programme.

-R.P.L. (Recognition of Prior Learning) applicants will be required to complete a personal statement which addresses how the applicant has met the minimum standard by reference to QQI’s Business Standards at Level 6.

Apprenticeship Pay Scale

The employer pays the apprentice while s/he is being trained on-the-job. A training allowance is paid by the local ETB while the apprentice is attending the off-the-job training, and an Apprentice Rate of pay during the on-the-job phases of their apprenticeship. Generally, the rates of pay are based on a percentage of the fully qualified rate for the occupation:

• 1st Years – 33.3%
• 2nd Years – 50%
• 3rd Years – 75%
• 4th Years – 90%

Training Allowances

A training allowance is paid by the local ETB to apprentices while attending off-the-job training. In some cases, a contribution towards travel or accommodation costs may be paid if deemed eligible. The sector the apprentice's employer is engaged in will determine the allowance payable. These allowances are calculated on the gross wages paid by industry in each sector. The amount the apprentice gets will generally be less than that, as it is based on the net take-home pay of the relevant sector. The weekly gross wage norms for different industries can be found here 

Student Contribution

The Annual Student Contribution is charged to students attending Higher Education Institutions including Institutes of Technology (IoT). Apprentices now pay the same contribution as full time students, but their contribution is based on the time they spend in the Institute or College.

The Student Contribution is payable to the IoT /College on the date of registration for the training phase. You should consult the relevant IoT/College for details of payment options.

Note: Apprentices are required to pay an examination fee to the IoT or College for repeat exams. For further information, click here.

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €27k - €50k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Brightwater / CPL / Lincoln/ Sigmar/ Morgan McKInley/ Osborne

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Financial administration roles accounted for the largest occupation in this group. Employment declined marginally between 2021 and 2022, although the annual average employment growth rate over the five-year period was slightly above the national average. Despite the fall in employment, there was a high volume of recent job hires indicating that job churn is a feature of this occupation. Almost three quarters of those employed in these roles were female, and 62% held third-level qualifications.

Approximately two-fifths of persons employed were in the financial sector, with the remainder spread across most other sectors. The number of online job adverts grew strongly (nearly 12%) in 2022 driven entirely by increases for book-keepers/payroll managers etc. Difficult-to-fill vacancies (noted in the Recruitment Agency Survey and the Skills for Growth data) related to accounts administration (payable/receivable) staff, fund accountants, and credit controllers (some with languages) and payroll administration; skills in particular demand included digital skills and knowledge of accounting systems. For such a large occupation, and with a high level of job churn, demand for these roles is likely to continue in the short to medium term.

• Irish Brokers Association

  • 87 Merrion Square, Dublin 2
  • (01) 661 3067
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• SOLAS

  • Castleforbes House, Castleforbes Road, Dublin, 1
  • (01) 533 2500
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• FINANCIAL PLANNING STANDARDS BOARD IRELAND DAC

  • FPSB Ireland DAC 185a Kimmage Road West Dublin 12
  • 01 4550150
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here