FPC qualified adviser - how do I check

judygarland

I am just wondering how I check that a financial adviser has the relevant qualifications? I have looked for the company on the FSA register and it doesnt appear?

Anyone know.

cheers

dunstonh

If the individual appears on the FSA register with "CF21 Investment Adviser" then they are FPC or equivalent qualified (or higher).

Look up the adviser name and not the company. Company match is sometimes harder to find due to spelling or trading names. Individual is easy to find. My own company has this issue with the FSA register putting a hyphen between the first two words for some reason. If you search for the company without the hyphen it will not give a response. Its just one of the quirks using a search system.

You also need to note that the FSA register only shows investment advisers. It does not show mortgage advisers. You have posted this in the mortgage section so it suggests you are looking at mortgage advisers and not investment advisers. Mortgage advice doesnt need FPC.

I also noticed while looking at my own entry that there appears to be a lag in the FSA updating the system as one of my investment advisers who was de-authorised back in August is still showing as active. He is now mortgage only and shouldnt be on the register and his entry should be inactive.

Perspective

If the company that he is with is on the register (ask for their number) and you confirm with the company that he represents them then you will be fine. I dont know of any lenders who deal with non regulated companies not authoised by the FSA