How do I know if a financial adviser is properly qualified and regulated?

There are two things worth checking before working with any financial adviser: their regulatory status and their qualifications.

Regulatory status: Any firm or individual giving regulated financial advice in the UK must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). You can verify this for free using the FCA Register at register.fca.org.uk. Search the adviser's name or their firm name and confirm they appear as 'authorised'. This takes about two minutes and is the single most important check you can do.

Qualifications: The minimum qualification for a UK financial adviser is a Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning, typically awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) or the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF). Advisers who go further can achieve Chartered Financial Planner status through the CII, or Certified Financial Planner status through the CISI — these are higher-level designations that indicate additional study and commitment to continuing professional development.

When evaluating an adviser's website, look for the firm's FCA Firm Reference Number (FRN), named qualifications, and outbound links to the FCA Register. Vague phrases like 'fully qualified' or 'experienced professionals' without named credentials are worth probing further.

You can also check whether an adviser has faced any regulatory action through the FCA Register's enforcement records.

For personal recommendations based on your own circumstances, speak with an FCA-authorised independent financial adviser.