The financial advice sector is made up of many people from different walks of life, from university graduates to second careerists.
Everyone brings different skills and attributes to the table.
But according to a Personal Finance Society (PFS) survey, 70% of its members believe that successful social interaction and “personal skills” are the most important competency requirement fresh entrants to the profession should have.
Around a quarter (23%) of the 290 respondents said technical knowledge was the most vital quality for those embarking on a career as a financial planner or paraplanner.
Some 3% said computer literacy was the highest priority capability to have for those beginning their financial planning career, and 4% felt literacy was the top skill fresh entrants needed to have on their first day in the profession.
Technical and personal skills
Sarah Lord, president of the PFS, said: “Personal skills are an important attribute whatever role you undertake in our profession to work well with both colleagues and clients, but they are particularly important for the role of the financial planner.
“The combination of strong technical knowledge and great personal skills are a powerful combination when working with clients.
“It is human nature for clients to want to work with individuals who are knowledgeable, but the key is being able to translate the knowledge acquired through qualifications and “on the job” learning into an easy, understandable form for clients.
“Computer literacy is becoming a more important skill to have due to the increasing use of technology in the client journey but, in my mind, it will never be more important than having the technical skills to build the financial plan or the personal skills to build strong and sustainable client relationships.”
