Job types

A Mortgage Adviser or Broker helps people to find the best mortgage deal to suit their needs – most commonly in the private residential and buy to let markets, though some specialise in mortgages for corporate clients. This may be in an employed capacity, where you earn a regular salary, or self-employed, where you earn fees and commissions on a case-by-case basis. Many mortgage advisers also provide advice on protection, but sometimes there will be a separate Protection Adviser to handle this aspect of the advice process.

This role involves understanding a wide range of consumer requirements and circumstances, so it is normal (though not essential) to spend some time in the industry learning the processes and getting the right qualifications before training to be an adviser. The entry point to this role is typically a ‘Trainee Mortgage Adviser’ opportunity, which allows you to learn on the job as you go through a learning and supervision programme. Good interpersonal and relationship-building skills are essential for this role, as you will be key in helping customers navigate through one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.

Example Requirements

• CeMAP qualified (or equivalent)
• At least 2 years of experience working in a regulated mortgage environment
• CAS status (not applicable for Trainee roles)
• Excellent communication and conversation skills
• Self-motivated, driven, personable, enthusiastic and proactive

A Protection Adviser arranges insurance for people to suit their needs. The term ‘protection’ refers to a range of insurance products, for example:

• Life insurance: cover that pays out if you die, typically during the policy term.
• Critical illness: cover that pays out a lump sum when a potentially life-threatening event happens, such as heart attack, stroke, or cancer.
• Income protection: long term ‘sick pay’ cover that pays a regular replacement income if you are unable to work due to accident or illness, potentially until you retire although shorter term policies are available.

Other products that an Adviser may arrange include Accident, Sickness and Unemployment (ASU) and products that cover specific outgoings such as Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance (MPPI). Some Advisers may also arrange General Insurance (GI) – this typically refers to products such as buildings and contents insurance.

This role involves speaking to customers to understand and assess their circumstances and requirements, collecting information to pass onto insurers (this includes information on a person’s physical and mental health), liaising with insurers to obtain quotes, discussing the available options with a customer, answering questions, providing a recommendation and arranging cover. Some Advisers may provide assistance after arranging cover, such as providing support when a customer needs to make an insurance claim.

Example requirements

• Excellent communicator (both verbal and written) with good listening skills.
• Ability to build strong relationships.
• Good at building trust and showing empathy.
• Ability to break down complex information in a clear and concise manner.

The role of the administrator in an advisory firm is to support the Adviser by ensuring everything happens in a timely and efficient manner, and keeping everyone up to date on progress. Getting a mortgage is a complex process which involves liaising with different parties, completing and chasing up application forms, requesting and uploading various documentation, and maintaining accurate records and clear communication throughout. It’s therefore important for an administrator to be well-organised, highly personable, and committed to delivering excellent customer service.

This role may be combined with the role of a Paraplanner, or it may be purely administration-focussed. It can also serve as a stepping stone on the way to becoming an Adviser, as administrators gain exposure to many aspects of the advice process.

Example Requirements:

• Ability to provide excellent customer service to clients and stakeholders
• A flexible approach to work, and the ability to work well as part of a dynamic team
• Capable of working with back-office systems and maintaining accurate records
• Well-organised and able to manage various competing deadlines
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

Paraplanners support Advisers by carrying out research based on the clients’ needs and circumstances, identifying the most suitable products to recommend, and compiling the recommendation reports that are ultimately presented to clients. Some Paraplanners are also present in client meetings and provide an extra point of contact for clients.

Paraplanning is closer to the technical side of giving financial advice, so you will be expected to develop strong product knowledge and a clear understanding of how to translate client needs into suitable recommendations. You will also need an awareness of regulatory processes and requirements, and strong report-writing skills. This job is sometimes combined with that of a Mortgage Administrator , or even a Trainee Mortgage Adviser , depending on the needs of the business.

Example Requirements:

• Excellent presentation skills with strong listening and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to write well-structured reports in clear and engaging language
• In possession of or willingness to build a deep understanding of the product landscape
• Familiarity with FCA regulations and expectations
• Familiar with industry-leading technology in mortgage & protection sourcing
• CeMAP or equivalent qualification preferred

The financial services industry is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and consumer mortgages are no exception. Even where firms are giving unregulated advice in areas such as Buy to Let, they must still be able to navigate the wider regulatory environment to know where the boundaries lie between authorised and unauthorised activities.

Compliance departments and teams are responsible for ensuring firms are adhering to all the rules and requirements. They must also keep pace with any upcoming regulatory changes, and ensure the firm responds appropriately. It is a complex and specialised area of the business, so it suits those who are detail-oriented, with the ability to take in and interpret large amounts of technical information. Often the first step into this area of the mortgage industry is a role as an Assistant.

Example Requirements:

• Motivated and focused self-starter who has the ability to learn new skills
• Strong organisational and communication skills
• Detail oriented with commercial awareness of business requirements
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and working to strict deadlines
• A strong grasp of written English and excellent proof-reading skills