Financial Advisor Interview Questions

1.1The financial planning process - discovery, analysis, planning, recommendation, and review

1.2The financial adviser regulatory framework - FCA, RDR, and the rules that govern advice

1.3Suitability - the obligation to understand the client and recommend only what is right for them

1.4Different advice models - independent vs restricted advice and the implications for the client

2.1Fact-finding - gathering the comprehensive information needed to give suitable advice

2.2Attitude to risk - the process of assessing client risk tolerance and capacity for loss

2.3Client goals and financial planning objectives - understanding what the client is trying to achieve

2.4Building the long-term advisory relationship - the trust, honesty, and service that retains clients for decades

3.1Investment theory - risk and return, diversification, asset allocation, and portfolio construction

3.2Investment products - funds, equities, bonds, ETFs, and the vehicle choices for different client goals

3.3Tax-efficient investing - ISAs, pensions, and using the available wrappers to maximise after-tax returns

3.4Fund selection and due diligence - how advisers select and review the investments they recommend

4.1Pension fundamentals - defined benefit, defined contribution, SIPPs, and the full range of pension options

4.2The pension landscape - annual allowance, lifetime allowance transitional rules, and tax relief

4.3Pension drawdown and annuity - the retirement income decision and the adviser role in structuring it

4.4Auto-enrolment and workplace pensions - the adviser role in advising clients on employer schemes

5.1Life insurance - term, whole of life, and when protection advice is required

5.2Income protection - the case for income protection and how to advise clients on the right level

5.3Critical illness cover - the product, the claims statistics, and the adviser role in protection planning

5.4Business protection - key person, shareholder protection, and the protection needs of business owners

6.1Personal tax planning - income tax, capital gains tax, and the legitimate planning opportunities

6.2Inheritance tax - the rules, the thresholds, planning strategies, and the adviser role in IHT planning

6.3Tax-efficient structures - trusts, business property relief, and other IHT mitigation approaches

6.4Working with accountants and solicitors - the multi-disciplinary approach to tax and financial planning

7.1Estate planning fundamentals - wills, power of attorney, and the financial planning around death and incapacity

7.2Trust planning - the basics of trust structures and when they form part of a financial plan

7.3Business succession - the financial planning around selling or passing on a business

7.4Intergenerational wealth transfer - helping clients plan how wealth moves to the next generation tax-efficiently

8.1FCA compliance - the conduct rules, suitability obligations, and the regulated activities framework

8.2Suitability reports - what they must contain, the standard required, and producing them efficiently

8.3Consumer Duty - the FCA obligations around consumer outcomes and the adviser responsibility

8.4Anti-money laundering - the adviser KYC obligations and source of wealth verification

9.1Client acquisition - how financial advisers build their client base ethically and professionally

9.2Referral partnerships - accountants, solicitors, and the professional introducers that generate client relationships

9.3Client segmentation - managing a client bank profitably and focusing on the right clients

9.4Digital and online presence - how financial advisers use technology to reach and serve clients

10.1Technical questions - investment, pensions, protection, tax planning, and regulatory compliance

10.2Client scenario questions - how you would advise a client on a specific planning situation

10.3Commercial questions - how you built your client bank, your revenue, and your professional reputation

10.4Salary and commission structure negotiation for adviser roles, evaluating a firm, and questions that reveal the support, compliance culture, and earnings potential