How to Become a Financial Adviser in the UK – DiPFA

How to Become a Financial Adviser in the UK – DiPFA Qualification

To give regulated financial advice in the UK, you must hold an FCA-recognised qualification. For new entrants, the most accessible route is the DiPFA – The Diploma for Financial Advisers, awarded by the London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF), part of Walbrook Institute London. Clarity Financial Training Ltd is a LIBF-accredited learning support training provider, offering DiPFA courses designed for career changers and professionals entering regulated financial advice.

DiPFA Courses – How to become a Financial Adviser

What Is DiPFA?

DiPFA (The Diploma for Financial Advisers) is a Level 4 qualification that meets FCA requirements for giving regulated financial advice.

It covers:

UK financial services regulation and ethics
Risk, taxation, and protection planning
Investment principles and products
Retirement products and Estate planning
Client advice processes

DiPFA is an ideal starting point for those beginning a career in financial advice.

Who Is DiPFA Best For?

DiPFA is suitable for:

Career changers entering financial advice
Paraplanners or administrators progressing into advice roles
Individuals seeking FCA-compliant adviser status
Qualified mortgage advisers wishing to extend their regulatory permissions through further professional qualifications
Learners who want structured, tutor-led training

Why Choose Clarity FT for DiPFA?

Clarity FT focuses exclusively on LIBF qualifications, ensuring clarity, consistency, and exam relevance.

Key Benefits

LIBF-accredited DiPFA learning support training provider
FCA-recognised qualification route
Live classroom and live webinar options
Distance learning with tutor support
Professionally written printed study materials
Extensive DiPFA mock exam practice included – Mock Quiz Expert
Excellent first-time pass rates
UK-based tutors with industry experience
We are so confident that you will pass that we offer a pass guarantee.

DiPFA Mock Exams & Exam Practice

Our DiPFA courses include access to our online mock exam platform, helping candidates prepare with realistic exam-style questions written by experienced tutors.

How Long Does DiPFA Take?

Most learners complete DiPFA within 6–9 months, depending on experience and study method.

Begin Your Career as a Financial Adviser

If you’re looking for a LIBF-accredited DiPFA provider with structured teaching and realistic exam preparation, Clarity FT offers a supportive and professional route into financial advice.

Skills and role of a Financial adviser

A financial adviser must use their skills and expertise to establish client affordability, suitability and risk profile based on the information provided by the client. An adviser will offer holistic advice providing solutions to help clients achieve their objectives based on their needs and circumstances that may change as their clients move through the different life stages. A Financial adviser will recommend the most appropriate advice and products from protection, through to investments and retirement solutions as well as estate planning. Advisers can also choose to concentrate on wealth management and estate planning, enabling them to manage their clients’ portfolios on an ongoing basis. Advisers can work as either an employed adviser and get paid a salary or as self-employed where they can charge a fee paid by the customer.

Advisers role:

Meeting with clients to discuss their current circumstances to establish affordability, suitability and their attitude to risk.
Select the most appropriate solutions and products from the vast range available to fulfil the client’s needs and help them to achieve their objectives.
Helping clients meet their future financial goals.
Research and analyse financial products in order to make appropriate recommendations to their clients.
Explain complex financial information simplistically to clients.
Explain the features, benefits and risks of the products recommended.
Adapting advice as clients move through the different life stages in order to ensure the ongoing suitability of the advice.
Monitor and manage the client’s investments to ensure optimal performance.

Adviser skills:

Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Numerate and articulate.
Have a lateral mind to combine solutions.
Honest, trustworthy and ethical.
Sociable and friendly.
Hardworking and diligent in order to keep their knowledge up to date.
Organised – Advisers must be organised in order to maintain adequate records in order to remain FCA compliant.

The Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipFA®) is a professional qualification for any candidate who wants to work as a Financial adviser. UK financial services are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). DipFA® is a LIBF RQF Level 4 qualification and is recognised by the Financial Skills Partnership.