Money adviser

Money advisers help people whose debts have become too large or difficult for them to handle.

In this guide

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As part of your day-to-day duties you may:

  • talk to clients about their money problems
  • look at income and outgoings
  • carry out a benefits check and support benefit claims
  • work out a sensible budget
  • help put debts in order of importance
  • talk with creditors to sort out a practical repayment plan
  • gain the client's agreement to any repayment plan
  • talk about other options like bankruptcy and what happens in court
  • take the place of clients in court when asked to do so

Working environment

You could work at a client's business, at a client's home or in a court.

Career path and progression

With experience you could become a specialist caseworker, or be promoted to a team leader or management post.

You could move into training other money advice workers.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • knowledge of economics and accounting
  • maths knowledge
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • persistence and determination
  • analytical thinking skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Most relevant

  • Mathematics - Money advisers work with numbers every day – calculating income, outgoings, debt totals, and realistic repayment plans for clients. They need to be confident with budgeting, percentages, and interest rates to help people understand their financial situation clearly.
  • Economics - Money advisers need to understand how the wider economy affects people's finances, including interest rates, inflation, and the benefits system. This knowledge helps them explain to clients why their debts may be growing and what options are available to them.
  • Accounting - Money advisers review clients' income, expenses, and debts to build a complete picture of their financial situation. Understanding how to read financial statements, track money flows, and organise financial information is central to creating workable repayment plans.
  • Law - Money advisers need to understand debt law, bankruptcy proceedings, and what can happen in court when debts go unpaid. They sometimes represent clients in court and must know the legal rights of both debtors and creditors to give accurate advice.
  • English Language - Money advisers spend much of their time explaining complex financial and legal information in plain language that clients can understand. They also write letters to creditors, prepare court documents, and need to communicate persuasively when negotiating repayment plans.

Also relevant

  • Psychology - Money advisers work with people who are often stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed by their financial problems. Understanding how people respond to pressure and how to build trust helps them support clients sensitively and encourage them to engage with difficult decisions.
  • Business - Money advisers benefit from understanding how businesses and financial institutions operate, including how banks, utility companies, and councils manage debt recovery. This knowledge helps them negotiate effectively with creditors on behalf of their clients.
  • Sociology - Money advisers often work with people from disadvantaged backgrounds and need to understand how poverty, inequality, and social factors contribute to debt problems. This awareness helps them provide advice that is realistic and sensitive to each client's circumstances.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering
  • applying directly
  • specialist courses run by a professional body

You may be able to apply to do a Revenues and Welfare Benefits Practitioner Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

This is sometimes offered by organisations like money advice services and local councils.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

More Information

A common way into this career is to volunteer in an advice centre. You'll often start by giving general advice, then get special training in money advice once you have more experience.

It usually takes at least a year to get enough experience and knowledge to apply for paid work as a money adviser.

You can search for volunteering opportunities through organisations like:

It may be possible to apply directly to employers if you have some of the relevant skills and knowledge required for this role. It will be useful to have experience in other areas like:

  • consumer advice
  • welfare rights work
  • debt recovery for a bank, council, utility company or similar organisation

Employers may not ask for qualifications as your experience would be the most important thing. You will need a reasonable standard of English and maths.

Your employer may ask you to do additional specialist training.

You can do a Level 3 Certificate and Diploma in Money and Debt Advice through the Chartered Institute of Credit Management.

Career tips

For some jobs, it may be an advantage if you speak a minority community language.

Professional and industry bodies

You may find it useful to join organisations like the Institute of Money Advisers, for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

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