Financial Services Administrator (Apprenticeship Level 3)
Introduction
Providing administrative support to a financial organisation, to provide a high quality and compliant service.
Financial Services Administrator (Adviser firm or Network)
‘Adviser Firm’: An SME business providing regulated financial planning / mortgage / insurance advice
‘Network ’: An umbrella company providing support services to groups of Financial Adviser Firms
The Financial Advice market consists of c19000 SME businesses split approximately 75% financial advice, 25% mortgage advice. These SME businesses are supported by umbrella organisations known as networks who provide a range of support services to the individual businesses including technology, compliance, technical & consultancy support. Due to recent changes, more administrative support is required by firms in order to provide an efficient, high quality and compliant service to their clients. The Financial Administrator standard responds to this demand whilst also providing an ideal entry point for a career in the sector, with progression routes leading to a number of roles with full professional qualifications.
Entry Requirements
As a Financial Services Administrator you provide general office administrative support including filing/scanning/photocopying, banking/post/franking, processing premium payments, answering the telephone. Maintaining customer / policy records through the customer management system and associated IT solutions. Supporting the account handling team in delivering a full customer service proposition in a professional, timely and efficient manner including new business, mid-term adjustments and renewals. Transactions with insurers and customers accordingly.
Strong communication skills are necessary to ensure customers are fully aware that their needs have been met and contract certainty achieved; managing instalment and credit provisions for customers. Ensuring that all compliance procedures are adhered to on a day to day basis
Functional Skills
You will also be assessed to ensure you have the ability to complete the English and maths qualifications at level 2.Apprentices will be required to have or achieve level 2 English and maths prior to completion of their Apprenticeship. If this has already been achieved, then development of further English and maths skills will continue for the whole of the apprenticeship.
Duration
Typically 12 to 18 months
Progression
This is an entry level role which provides the foundation knowledge skills & experience for progression into a number of career paths including Senior Administrator, Paraplanner, Financial Adviser or Mortgage Adviser.
Funding
Levy paying employers may fund apprentices on this programme from their Apprenticeship Account and non-levy paying SMEs through the co-funded option. There may be a small fee for some SME’s.
End Assessment
There are 2 levels of achievement within this apprenticeship:
Pass and Distinction.
Employers agreed that there were 3 specific performance areas that would demonstrate a higher level of performance in the role that would deserve a distinction award:
- Impact on the business – measured by results delivered and viable improvement ideas put forward
- Impact on the customer – measured by demonstrably higher levels of service delivered
- Impact on peers – measured by evidence of teamwork and support for others
Apprenticeship Qualifications
Professional qualifications within this apprenticeship are listed below – one of:
- UK financial services, regulation & ethics (CF1) – Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)
- UK financial regulation (UKFR) – IFS University College (Institute of Financial Services)
- Financial Services regulation and Ethics - Chartered Bankers Institute (CB)
- Introduction to Securities and Investment; UK financial regulation; Administration of settlements and investments – Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI)
