Qualifications: Most Financial Advisers only hold the minimum qualification - the Certificate in Financial Planning, or equivalent, although they may use the designation Cert PFS. Advisers who are serious about providing quality advice to their clients are likely to have acquired additional qualifications leading to the Diploma and Advanced Diploma (what used to be known as the Advanced Financial Planning Certificate, or AFPC). In particular look for G10, which shows that your adviser has a good understanding of tax and trusts - important if you are to receive advice on paying less tax. However, you may have to look hard - fewer than 9,000 advisers hold AFPC, and less than 4,000 can use the designation Dip PFS*.
         
Experience: With experience comes knowledge and understanding, and the ability to apply learning to practical situations. Everyones situation is different, but an experienced adviser is likely to have come across circumstances similar to yours before and will know the advice to give you. A minimum of 5 years experience is recommended, but at the same time you don’t want someone who is going to be retiring next year!

Personality: It may not seem that important, but in fact it is critical that you get on with your adviser. You should feel comfortable providing them with your personal and financial details, and feel confident that they know and understand you well enough to give advice that is in your best interests. It is essential that your adviser is prepared to spend time getting to know you on a face-to-face basis. When you start to build up trust, you might even start to quite like your adviser! If you feel no rapport whatsoever, keep looking.
         
         
ROBIN PJ ALGAR BA (Hons.), Dip PFS, Cert CII (MP)   -  Personal Profile

After graduating from Exeter University Robin Algar spent 8 years with the Royal Artillery as a British Army officer before joining the Financial Services profession. He gained his initial qualifications and experience looking after HNW clients with Prudential's Private Financial Planning Service.  Since becoming independent in 1998 he has gained experience with a variety of IFA practices specialising in areas such as School Fees Planning and advising Owner Managed SME's. He is now very comfortable working with Positive Solutions, in no small part because they are a healthy, profitable company, going from strength to strength. He has steadily gained additional qualifications throughout his career and now holds a Diploma with the Personal Finance Society and is eligible to use the designation Dip PFS. He is also a Certified Mortgage and Equity Release Professional which carries the designation Certs CII (MP&ER). His financial qualifications include the following:

CII (Chartered Insurance Institute):
         
Advanced Financial Planning Certificate.