Financial Services Administrator Apprentice

INVEST SOUTHWEST LTD

TAUNTON (TA1 1RZ)

Closes in 29 days (Friday 22 May 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 23 April 2026


Summary

A very exciting opportunity to join a professional, ambitious and growing firm where you will gain real, hands-on experience from day one. This is a rare opportunity to build a long-term career in financial services, with the support and development needed to progress within the industry.

Training course
Financial services administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 09:00 - 17:00

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 8 June 2026

Duration

1 year

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

As an apprentice, you will gain hands-on experience while developing your skills in a real business environment. You will learn alongside experienced staff, supporting day-to-day operations and building the knowledge needed for a successful career in financial services.

  • Start your career with a modern, growing financial planning firm
  • Gain hands-on experience supporting advisers and paraplanners
  • Build a long-term career with clear progression opportunities
  • Support advisers with day-to-day administration
  • Maintain accurate client records and systems
  • Handle client and provider communication professionally
  • Assist with research and preparation of financial documents
  • Manage data securely in line with regulations
  • Organise and prioritise tasks to meet deadlines
  • Identify and escalate issues where appropriate

What You’ll Learn:

  • How the financial services industry operates
  • Key regulations including FCA requirements
  • Professional communication and client service skills
  • How an independent financial adviser’s business operates 

Key Learning Outcomes:

  • Develop a broad understanding of the financial services industry
  • Gain knowledge of key regulatory bodies and their role within the sector
  • Understand the importance of building strong relationships with clients and colleagues
  • Learn core processes and procedures within a financial planning business
  • Build commercial awareness and understanding of how a business operates
  • Develop practical skills and confidence within a professional environment

Where you'll work

12 HAMMET STREET
TAUNTON
TA1 1RZ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

SIMPLY ACADEMY LTD

Training course

Financial services administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Apply professional standards and best practice to support positive outcomes for stakeholders, in accordance with legal, regulatory, and ethical rules and principles.
  • Deliver customer service to internal and or external stakeholders that meets their requirements, considering service level agreements, and ethical and financial regulations, such as Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) principles, Know Your Customer (KYC), and identifying and supporting vulnerable customers.
  • Collaborate with and support financial services teams with planned and ad-hoc tasks or projects.
  • Identify potential risks and align tasks with company guidelines to effectively mitigate risks, escalating where appropriate.
  • Escalate issues where appropriate in line with organisational policies, procedures, and legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Use digital systems and processes to meet business and customer needs, considering financial services regulatory and governance requirements.
  • Handle data safely and securely and share information in compliance with data protection legislation and organisational policy.
  • Develop and maintain collaborative and positive relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring a clear understanding of their individual expectations and needs.
  • Select and use appropriate communication methods for the audience and circumstances, and convey technical and non-technical information to stakeholders, adapting as needed and in compliance with relevant policies, guidelines, and legislation.
  • Use available tools and technique to research, collate, analyse, and present data relevant to their role and audience.
  • Plan, organise and prioritise own tasks, managing time and resources effectively.
  • Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and recommend solutions to improve processes.
  • Apply current and developing sustainable principles and techniques relative to role.
  • Participate in training and development activities related to their role, and stay up to date with relevant legal, regulatory, and other changes affecting the industry.
  • Work in line with organisational equity, diversity, and inclusion policies.
  • Apply professional standards and best practice to support positive outcomes for stakeholders, in accordance with legal, regulatory, and ethical rules and principles.
  • Deliver customer service to internal and or external stakeholders that meets their requirements, considering service level agreements, and ethical and financial regulations, such as Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) principles, Know Your Customer (KYC), and identifying and supporting vulnerable customers.
  • Collaborate with and support financial services teams with planned and ad-hoc tasks or projects.
  • Identify potential risks and align tasks with company guidelines to effectively mitigate risks, escalating where appropriate.
  • Escalate issues where appropriate in line with organisational policies, procedures, and legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Use digital systems and processes to meet business and customer needs, considering financial services regulatory and governance requirements.
  • Handle data safely and securely and share information in compliance with data protection legislation and organisational policy.
  • Develop and maintain collaborative and positive relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring a clear understanding of their individual expectations and needs.
  • Select and use appropriate communication methods for the audience and circumstances, and convey technical and non-technical information to stakeholders, adapting as needed and in compliance with relevant policies, guidelines, and legislation.
  • Use available tools and technique to research, collate, analyse, and present data relevant to their role and audience.
  • Plan, organise and prioritise own tasks, managing time and resources effectively.
  • Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and recommend solutions to improve processes.
  • Apply current and developing sustainable principles and techniques relative to role.
  • Participate in training and development activities related to their role, and stay up to date with relevant legal, regulatory, and other changes affecting the industry.
  • Work in line with organisational equity, diversity, and inclusion policies.

Training schedule

Training & Qualification:

  • Level 3 Financial Services Administrator Apprenticeship
  • Support from Simply Academy with structured learning and revision sessions
  • Study towards RO1 from the Chattered Insurance Institute (CII), a recognised financial services qualification

R01 Completion will provide a solid foundation for the learner and can lead on to progression to study in other areas.

More training information

What You’ll Learn:

  • How the financial services industry operates
  • Key regulations including FCA requirements
  • Professional communication and client service skills
  • How an independent financial adviser’s business operates 

Key Learning Outcomes:

  • Develop a broad understanding of the financial services industry
  • Gain knowledge of key regulatory bodies and their role within the sector
  • Understand the importance of building strong relationships with clients and colleagues
  • Learn core processes and procedures within a financial planning business
  • Build commercial awareness and understanding of how a business operates
  • Develop practical skills and confidence within a professional environment

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

5 subjects including maths and english (grade C/above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills

About this employer

Invest Southwest is an established firm of Independent Financial Advisers, founded in 2007 and providing high quality, independent financial advice to clients across the South West.

We specialise in delivering tailored financial planning solutions, including pensions, investments, protection and estate planning. Our estate planning services, covering trusts, wills and powers of attorney, are further supported by our sister company, Will Management Services, allowing us to offer a comprehensive and joined up approach to client needs.

Our focus is on building long term relationships with clients, delivering clear, professional advice and maintaining the highest standards of service.

https://www.investsouthwest.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • 22 days holiday plus bank holidays 

Access to:

  • A company pension scheme
  • Private Medical Insurance (PMI)
  • Salary sacrifice schemes
  • Clear progression opportunities within the business

After this apprenticeship

Typically, you will begin as an apprentice administrator, building a strong understanding of financial services while supporting the advice process.

Following successful completion of the apprenticeship, there is the opportunity to join the business as a full-time member of the team, where your contribution will be recognised and valued.

As your knowledge and confidence develop, you will have the opportunity to progress into a paraplanning role, taking on greater responsibility for research, report writing, and technical support.

With continued development and completion of professional qualifications, you can progress into a Financial Adviser role, working directly with clients and delivering tailored financial planning advice.

Support and development will be provided throughout each stage of your journey.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SIMPLY ACADEMY LTD

Monica Peacock

monica@simplyacademy.com

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000028026.

Apply now

Closes in 29 days (Friday 22 May 2026 at 11:59pm)