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Financial services customer adviser

Alternative titles for this job include Sales adviser, contact centre agent

Financial services customer advisers work in contact centres for banks, insurance, investment and credit companies.

Average salary (a year)

£14,000 Starter

to

£24,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

36 to 38 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Financial services customer adviser

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

College

You could do a college course which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job.

Relevant subjects include:

  • Level 1 Award for Introduction to Customer Service
  • Level 2 Certificate in Customer Service
  • Level 2 Certificate in Contact Centre Operations
  • T Level in Finance

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

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

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through a financial services customer adviser intermediate apprenticeship or a senior financial services customer adviser advanced apprenticeship.

It takes around 12 months to complete these apprenticeships. They include a mix of learning on the job and study.

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
  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as an admin assistant with a company and move into financial services by training on the job.

Direct Application

You could apply directly to become a financial services customer adviser. It will help if you have:

  • GCSEs or equivalent in English and maths
  • computer and keyboard skills
  • experience of customer service, cash handling or office work

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a financial services customer adviser from the London Institute of Banking and Finance.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • maths knowledge
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

Most employers will want to do a credit check. They do this to make sure you do not have any outstanding debts which could stop you working in financial services.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you may:

  • deal with other businesses, investors or members of the public
  • use computer systems to access customer information and update account details
  • answer customer questions
  • process payments and withdrawals
  • keep accurate records
  • promote financial products and services
  • work to targets
  • handle complaints or refer them to a supervisor
  • refer customers to staff to sell financial products

Working environment

You could work in an office.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With more training and qualifications, you could specialise in mortgage advice, pensions or financial advice.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Claims Handler Apprentice

  • Wage: £17,270 a year Annually
  • Location: 12 Hanover street, Liverpool
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Courses In England

Financial Studies

  • Provider: THE WOODROFFE SCHOOL
  • Start date: 02 September 2025
  • Location: Lyme Regis

Financial Studies

  • Provider: JOHN TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Burton on Trent
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  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

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