Senior Financial Advisor in Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh

Senior Financial Adviser

Location: Central Scotland (Edinburgh / Fife region)
Salary: Competitive

1. Job Purpose

My client is seeking an experienced Senior Financial Adviser to manage and develop an established portfolio of approximately 100–150 private clients, delivering high-quality, holistic financial planning and ongoing wealth management advice.

The successful candidate will take ownership of client relationships, providing trusted advice across pensions, investments, retirement planning, protection, tax-efficient savings and estate planning.

Working collaboratively with paraplanners, administrators and the firm's accountancy and tax teams, the role will deliver an integrated advisory service that supports clients in achieving their financial objectives while contributing to the continued growth and development of the wealth management business.

2. About My Client

My client is an established and growing independent professional services firm operating across Central Scotland.

The business provides a comprehensive range of accountancy, business advisory, insolvency and wealth management services to individuals, owner-managed businesses, SMEs and larger organisations.

With an experienced team of professional advisers, the firm prides itself on building long-term client relationships, delivering clear and practical advice and providing a highly personalised service.

The business places considerable importance on its people, offering a supportive working environment alongside opportunities for professional development and career progression.

3. Key Responsibilities

Client Advice and Financial Planning

• Deliver comprehensive financial planning advice tailored to individual client circumstances and objectives.
• Advise on pensions, retirement planning, investments, protection, tax-efficient savings and estate planning.
• Develop and present lifetime cashflow models to support clients' financial decisions.
• Provide advice on complex planning requirements, including pension accumulation and decumulation, trusts, business succession, business owner exits and inheritance tax mitigation.
• Consider relevant Scottish and UK legislation, including Scottish income tax, Scots succession and trust law, and UK capital gains and inheritance tax rules.
• Ensure advice remains appropriate as clients' circumstances and financial objectives evolve.

Client Relationship Management

• Take responsibility for an established portfolio of approximately 100–150 private client relationships.
• Deliver the firm's ongoing client service proposition, including annual or more frequent review meetings.
• Act as the primary point of contact for clients, developing trusted, long-term and multi-generational relationships.
• Maintain high levels of client satisfaction and retention.
• Identify opportunities to deepen existing relationships and develop additional business through referrals and professional introductions.
• Build relationships with prospective clients introduced through the firm's accountancy and tax teams.

Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Ensure all advice and client interactions comply with FCA regulations, Consumer Duty and internal policies and procedures.
• Maintain high standards of suitability, fair value, client documentation and record keeping.
• Work with paraplanners to ensure research, suitability reports and supporting documentation meet regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records within the firm's back-office systems.
• Successfully complete internal file reviews and compliance monitoring.
• Maintain professional competence through a minimum of 35 hours of CPD annually, including at least 21 hours of structured learning.
• Demonstrate appropriate judgement when dealing with vulnerable clients and complex advice requirements.

Teamwork and Business Development

• Work collaboratively with paraplanners, administrators, accountants and tax advisers to deliver a joined-up client service.
• Identify opportunities for integrated financial planning and accountancy advice.
• Support the development of junior advisers and paraplanners through coaching, mentoring and knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to investment committee discussions and the ongoing development of the firm's Centralised Investment Proposition.
• Support the wider commercial objectives and continued growth of the wealth management business.

4. Qualifications and Professional Requirements

Qualification / Requirement

Essential / Desirable

Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning (CII DipPFS) or CISI Level 4 Investment Advice Diploma

Essential

Current Statement of Professional Standing (SPS) from an FCA-accredited body

Essential

Satisfactory regulatory and compliance history, with eligibility for certification under the FCA Senior Managers and Certification Regime

Essential

Chartered Financial Planner (CII/PFS) or CISI Chartered Wealth Manager

Highly desirable

Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

Desirable

CII Advanced Diploma units, particularly AF1, AF2, AF3 and AF4

Desirable

CII Certificate in Long-Term Care Insurance (CF8)

Desirable

5. Experience

• Minimum of 10 years' experience providing regulated financial advice within the UK.
• Proven experience managing an established client portfolio of at least 100 households.
• Demonstrable track record of client retention and organic business development through referrals and introductions.
• Experience advising high-net-worth individuals, business owners and retirees on complex financial planning matters.
• Strong experience delivering ongoing financial advice and structured client review programmes.
• Experience working within a Chartered financial planning firm or alongside an accountancy, tax or legal practice would be advantageous.
• Good understanding of the Scottish financial planning market, including Scottish income tax and Scots law relating to succession and trusts.
• Previous experience mentoring, coaching or supervising junior advisers or paraplanners is desirable.

6. Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

Technical Financial Planning Knowledge

• Strong technical understanding of pensions, investments, protection, tax-efficient investment structures, trusts and inheritance tax planning.
• Ability to provide holistic advice across multiple areas of financial planning.
• Up-to-date knowledge of relevant financial services legislation, regulation and taxation.

Cashflow Modelling and Financial Planning

• Confidence using lifetime cashflow modelling tools, such as CashCalc, to support financial planning discussions and recommendations.
• Ability to interpret modelling outputs and communicate financial planning strategies clearly.

Client Relationship Management

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain trusted client relationships.
• Confidence dealing with high-net-worth individuals, business owners and families.
• Ability to manage complex client needs and deliver a consistent, high-quality service.

Communication

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to explain complex financial concepts in a clear, accessible and engaging manner.
• Confidence presenting financial planning recommendations and supporting clients through important financial decisions.

Commercial Awareness

• Understands the importance of client retention, referrals and sustainable portfolio growth.
• Able to identify opportunities for additional advice while maintaining the highest standards of client service.
• Commercially aware, with the ability to balance client needs, service commitments and business objectives.

Regulatory and Professional Judgement

• Strong understanding of FCA requirements, Consumer Duty, suitability and fair value.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgement and maintain high standards of ethical conduct.
• Experience managing vulnerable client needs appropriately.

Teamwork and Leadership

• Collaborative approach to working with colleagues across financial planning, accountancy and tax.
• Willingness to support and mentor less experienced colleagues.
• Positive contribution to the wider development and success of the wealth management team.

Organisation and Technology

• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to manage a substantial client portfolio, review calendar and multiple ongoing cases.
• Comfortable using financial planning platforms, back-office systems and digital client communication tools.

7. Key Working Relationships

Internal

• Wealth Management Partners and colleagues.
• Financial Advisers.
• Paraplanners and Financial Planning Administrators.
• Accountancy and Tax Advisory teams.
• Compliance and Practice Management.

External

• Private clients and their families.
• Solicitors and other professional advisers.
• Investment and pension platform providers.
• Product providers and other relevant financial services organisations.

8. Performance Expectations

The Senior Financial Adviser will be expected to:

• Successfully manage and retain an established portfolio of 100–150 client households.
• Deliver the firm's agreed ongoing client service proposition consistently and effectively.
• Maintain high standards of client satisfaction and positive client outcomes.
• Demonstrate sustainable portfolio growth through referrals and professional introductions.
• Maintain full compliance with regulatory, professional and internal requirements.
• Contribute positively to the development of colleagues and the wider wealth management team.
• Support the continued growth and reputation of the financial planning business.

9. Salary and Benefits

My client offers a competitive remuneration and benefits package, including:

• Competitive, industry-benchmarked salary, dependent on experience.
• Workplace pension and life assurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to employee discount and wellbeing platforms.
• Client and employee referral bonus schemes.
• Payment of relevant professional membership fees.
• Examination and study support towards Chartered or CFP status.
• Regular one-to-one meetings and personal development support.
• Opportunities to participate in employee wellbeing and wider business initiatives.

10. Additional Information

This is a full-time opportunity based across Central Scotland, with regular client meetings throughout Edinburgh, Fife and the surrounding areas.

My client offers a supportive and collaborative working environment, with a strong emphasis on professional development, client service and long-term career progression.

Candidates must provide evidence of their eligibility to work in the UK.