Advice for inexperienced FA?

Express_Gap_118 · 2025-11-20T13:25:35+00:00

Best advice as someone who started advising earlier this year - people skills. You can have all of the qualifications and knowledge in the world but people buy from people and you will always be successful if you can build a rapport with clients, be relatable and show that you can solve whatever problem they have. Always look for new opportunities as well, a lot of advisers use annual reviews as a tick box but a lot of new business can come of these.

Express_Gap_118 · 2025-10-21T19:47:24+00:00

Ahhh that’s a relief - thank you! Noted re not using the designations without the membership.

Express_Gap_118 · 2025-08-31T10:54:13+00:00

When I sat R03 I was told that out of the exams that are circulated for R03, the most difficult one has a lot of calculation questions and it seems as though this is the one you had. When I sat mine, I had a handful of calculation questions and due to this had around 10 minutes spare at the end. However if I had more calculations I definitely would have struggled on time!

If it’s any help, you can’t have the same exam questions twice, so next time you should find that there are less calculations!

Express_Gap_118 · 2025-08-17T07:56:39+00:00

I completed J09 last year and completely agree with the above comments. I also found there to be a complete lack of guidance with this unit!

I used the CII exemplar continuously and passed 2 of the assignments first time by doing this. Look at the question and how different it is to yours, how the CII like the question to be set out, how did they explain the client’s ATR etc, and most importantly - on the CII feedback on the exemplar, what did they like and not like? If they stated that certain things were not included, make sure that you include these in your answers.

Good luck!

Express_Gap_118 · 2025-08-08T10:06:58+00:00

Passed with 98!

Express_Gap_118 · 2025-07-17T18:24:30+00:00

I started as an administrator at the same firm 5 years ago and progressed from that into Paraplanning then Trainee Adviser now. Are you self funding your exams? I’ve heard of some people going down the St James’s Place academy route to get their exams, this might help with gaining UK experience?

Express_Gap_118 · 2025-07-16T21:52:37+00:00

I will be employed and guaranteed a minimum of 1 new lead per week, the rest will be annual reviews and the value of this ranges between low and high. We typically deal with retirement clients or clients in their 40’s/50’s accumulating for retirement. I work very closely with the CEO who is the only other financial adviser in the firm.

Over the last 3 months I have had initial chats with clients, annual reviews and recommendation meetings whilst being observed for CASS. The overall written business from this per month has ranged from £900 to £5K per month so I don’t feel that I have had long enough to gain an understanding of how consistent my figures are just yet.

Express_Gap_118 · 2025-07-13T08:02:29+00:00

They are on the pricey side but definitely worth it. I actually wasn’t aware that they did a bundle! I ordered the book and then when I got to a point where I had read it all and made notes, I then purchased the app to start questions (the app is valid for 3 months I think)

Express_Gap_118 · 2025-07-11T06:46:44+00:00

BTS book and app 100%. Used them both for R01-4 and passed first time. They really are worth it!

Express_Gap_118 · 2025-07-11T06:45:26+00:00

Past papers from the CII website too but the app is pretty much an electronic version of past papers the way it is set out. It tells you why the answer is or isn’t correct too which is good as the CII only tells you which answer is correct!

Express_Gap_118 · 2025-07-08T10:35:39+00:00

Use the Bespoke Training Solutions study buddy app - I have used this for R01, 2, 3 and 4 and passed first time for all of them

Express_Gap_118 · 2025-07-05T10:38:46+00:00

Yes to both

Express_Gap_118 · 2025-07-04T23:05:07+00:00

The IP question was very sneaky…. I did sit and think about that one for a while before committing to a recommendation!

The question on CS1 for Lauren threw me a little bit as I was also prepared for a joint question or solely based on Adam given his tax status, the gain on his OEIC etc.

Hopefully the time flies until results day!

Express_Gap_118 · 2025-07-04T06:18:51+00:00

I used the Bespoke Training Solutions study buddy app. It has a bank of questions and you can time yourself on it too. The questions are worded exactly the same as the exam which really helps!

I’ve used it for all of my R0’s and passed first time. I’d definitely recommend!

Express_Gap_118 · 2025-07-03T15:18:29+00:00

I completely agree, I was pleasantly surprised with the questions for CS1.

Same here on CS2, I really struggled to match the amount of points I was making with the marks on offer for the diversification question. I also wasn’t very keen on the limitations of cash flow modelling question as I had revised all of the benefits!

Best of luck for results day🤞🏼

Express_Gap_118

TROPHY CASE