Associated Legal & Financial Ltd (ALAF)
Location: Inverness, Scotland
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £28,000–£38,000 per annum, depending on qualifications and experience.
Join the Team Building the Future of Scottish Financial Planning
For more than 20 years, Associated Legal & Financial Ltd (ALAF) has been providing trusted financial advice to individuals, families and businesses throughout Inverness and the Highlands.
Today, we are entering an exciting new chapter.
We’re investing in our people, technology and client experience as we expand our business across Scotland. Over the next two years we will be growing our adviser, mortgage, paraplanning and support teams to build one of Scotland’s leading independent financial planning businesses.
Unlike many financial advice firms, our advisers are not expected to bring an existing client bank.
We have a substantial, established client portfolio built over two decades, providing a continuous flow of advice opportunities. This allows our advisers to focus on delivering outstanding client outcomes rather than business development.
As part of our continued growth, we are looking to appoint a Trainee Independent Financial Adviser to join our expanding advice team.
The Role
This is not a traditional trainee role.
We are looking for someone who has already begun their journey within financial services and is committed to becoming a successful Independent Financial Adviser.
Rather than spending years undertaking administrative work, you will follow a structured adviser development programme designed to accelerate your progression towards Competent Adviser Status (CAS). Working alongside experienced advisers, paraplanners and client support professionals, you will gain practical experience, attend client meetings, develop your technical knowledge and gradually build the skills required to advise clients independently.
As your knowledge, confidence and competence develop, you will begin managing your own client relationships under supervision before progressing to a fully authorised adviser role.
This is an exceptional opportunity for someone who wants to build a long-term career within an ambitious financial planning business and become part of the next generation of advisers helping to lead ALAF’s expansion across Scotland.
Key Responsibilities
· Attend client meetings alongside experienced Financial Advisers.
· Assist in gathering client information and preparing financial planning recommendations.
· Conduct technical research across pensions, investments, protection and retirement planning.
· Work closely with the paraplanning team in preparing suitability reports.
· Develop an understanding of FCA regulations and compliance requirements.
· Build trusted relationships with clients through regular communication and review meetings.
· Maintain accurate client records using the firm’s back-office systems.
· Liaise with product providers and professional connections where appropriate.
· Continue studying towards professional qualifications and Competent Adviser Status (CAS).
· Participate in ongoing technical and professional development.
· Represent ALAF professionally at all times.
About You
We’re looking for someone who is ambitious, professional and committed to building a long-term career in financial planning.
You will enjoy working with people, be eager to learn and have the drive to develop into a trusted Independent Financial Adviser. You will be comfortable working as part of a collaborative team while taking responsibility for your own professional development.
Most importantly, you will genuinely care about helping clients make informed financial decisions and be committed to delivering advice with integrity and professionalism.
Essential Experience
· Previous experience within an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) practice, Wealth Management business or other FCA-regulated financial services environment.
· A genuine ambition to become an Independent Financial Adviser.
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
· Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
· Ability to build trusted relationships with clients and colleagues.
· Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
· Full UK driving licence.
Desirable Experience
· Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning (or working towards completion).
· Experience within financial services administration or paraplanning.
· Experience attending client meetings.
· Knowledge of pensions, investments and protection products.
· Experience using Intelligent Office (IO) or similar back-office systems.
· Working understanding of trusts, estate planning and inheritance tax planning.
· Experience using financial planning and cashflow modelling software.
What We Offer
· Permanent employed position.
· Workplace pension.
· Paid annual leave.
· Professional development and ongoing technical training.
· Support towards professional qualifications.
· Structured pathway towards Competent Adviser Status (CAS).
· Opportunity to learn from experienced Financial Advisers and Paraplanners.
· Established client portfolio with the opportunity to develop your own client relationships.
· Friendly office environment based in Inverness.
· Supportive and collaborative working environment.
· Genuine long-term career progression as ALAF expands across Scotland.
Why ALAF?
This is more than a trainee position—it’s the opportunity to build a long-term career as an Independent Financial Adviser within a growing and ambitious business.
You’ll receive practical experience from day one, work alongside experienced professionals and follow a structured development pathway designed to help you become a confident and successful adviser.
As ALAF continues to expand across Scotland, there will be genuine opportunities for progression, increased responsibility and the chance to develop your own long-term client relationships.
Equal Opportunities
Associated Legal & Financial Ltd is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
Appointments are made solely on merit, experience and suitability for the role.
Apply
If you are looking to accelerate your career and become part of the next generation of Independent Financial Advisers within a growing Scottish financial planning business, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Please send your CV together with a short covering letter explaining why you would like to join the ALAF team to: [email protected]
Pay: £28,000.00-£38,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
