Level 4 Paraplanner and Financial Planner

APPRENTICESHIPS

Level 4 Paraplanner and Financial Planner Apprenticeship

Gain the skills and knowledge to provide high-quality financial planning to financial organisations and their customers; delivering compliant and efficient service. An ideal career development opportunity within the financial services sector.

For Employers

Build the skilled, compliant talent your business needs to grow.

For Apprentices

Turn your ambition into a long-term financial services career.

Level 4

24 month duration

Ideal for graduates and career development

Funding available up to £13,000 (subject to eligibility)

What will apprentices learn?

Develop practical knowledge and professional skills across the financial advice process, from understanding client needs and researching suitable solutions to support compliance advice and building long-term client relationships.

Understand the advice environment, regulatory requirements and professional responsibilities.
Know your customers; analyse their needs and research suitable financial solutions.
Use systems, AI and compliance controls responsibly to support effective client outcomes.
Research investments, including ESG, prepare reports and support initial and ongoing financial advice.
Develop specialist expertise through CPD, business development and long-term relationships.

How Skills Edge supports success

Benefit from expert guidance throughout your apprenticeship, combining practical industry experience, engaging learning and personalised support to build confidence, apply new skills in the workplace and achieve your long-term career goals.

Learn from experienced industry trainers with practical financial services expertise.
Put learning into practice through real-world examples, interactive sessions and practical activities.
Receive personalised coaching and guidance tailored to your learning needs and career ambitions.
Structured exam preparation and targeted support to help you achieve your professional qualifications
Benefit from dedicated assessors who guide your progress and support your professional development.

Core learning outcomes and milestones

Module 01: The Financial Advice Environment

Apprentices will develop an understanding of the financial advice and financial planning environment, including the purpose of regulated advice, the different sectors within financial services and the professional standards expected of those working in the industry. They will also explore the roles and career opportunities available to paraplanners and financial planners.

Duration: 1 week
Off-the-job training: 2 hours
Workshops: 1
E-learning modules: 0
Assessments: 0

Module 02: Regulated Financial Planning and Ethics

Apprentices will develop a detailed understanding of the UK financial services market, regulation and professional ethics. They will explore what constitutes regulated advice, how firms meet FCA expectations, the importance of knowing the customer, and how emerging technologies such as AI can support financial planning while maintaining appropriate regulatory and ethical standards.

Duration: 14 weeks
Off-the-job training: 80.5 hours
Workshops: 5
E-learning modules: 11
Assessments: 3, R01 UK Financial Services, Regulation and Ethics exam; WA01 Financial Services Market; and CS01 Systems, Controls and Compliance

Module 03: Investment Principles, Systems and Compliance

Apprentices will explore the principles of investment, risk and return alongside the systems, controls and compliance frameworks that protect clients and financial services firms. They will develop an understanding of effective governance, Consumer Duty, treating customers fairly and how robust controls support good client outcomes.

Duration: 14 weeks
Off-the-job training: 78 hours
Workshops: 5
E-learning modules: 11
Assessments: 3, R02 Investment Principles and Risk exam; WA02 Systems, Controls and Compliance; and CS02 Consumer Duty and Treating Customers Fairly

Module 04: Personal Taxation and Researching Financial Solutions

Apprentices will develop their knowledge of personal taxation and learn how to identify, analyse and prioritise a client’s financial needs and objectives. They will explore effective fact-finding, questioning and research techniques, enabling them to evaluate potential financial solutions while considering suitability, taxation, risk, regulation and the client’s wider circumstances.

Duration: 12 weeks
Off-the-job training: approximately 79.8 hours
Workshops: 5
E-learning modules: 12
Assessments: 3, R03 Personal Taxation exam; WA03 Establishing and Prioritising Financial Needs and Objectives; and CS03 Planning and Prioritising for Sustainable Outcomes

Module 05: Pensions, Retirement Planning and Presenting Financial Solutions

Apprentices will build detailed knowledge of pensions and retirement planning while developing the skills needed to research, document and present suitable financial recommendations. They will learn how to produce clear, professional reports, explain complex information effectively and ensure recommendations meet both client needs and regulatory requirements.

Duration: 15 weeks
Off-the-job training: approximately 88.1 hours
Workshops: 5
E-learning modules: 10
Assessments: 3, R04 Pensions and Retirement Planning exam; WA04 Reporting and Presenting Recommendations; and CS04 Suitability / Recommendation Report

Module 06: Financial Protection and Sustainable Investment Solutions

Apprentices will develop their technical understanding of financial protection products and how these can address client risks and financial needs. They will also explore responsible and sustainable investment, including ESG considerations, assessing the credibility of sustainable investments, client preferences, greenwashing and the regulatory considerations surrounding responsible investment.

Duration: 13 weeks
Off-the-job training: 66.75 hours
Workshops: 5
E-learning modules: 11
Assessments: 3, R05 Financial Protection exam; WA05 Responsible and Sustainable Investments; and PD01 Delivering Advice Solutions

Module 07: Financial Planning Practice, Competence and Professional Development

Apprentices will bring together their technical knowledge and apply it to the practical financial planning process. They will explore professional competence, ethical conduct, maintaining regulatory standards, continuous professional development and developing areas of specialism, helping them build the professional judgement required of an effective paraplanner or financial planner.

Duration: 15 weeks
Off-the-job training: 69.25 hours
Workshops: 5
E-learning modules: 7
Assessments: 3, R06 Financial Planning Practice exam; WA06 Continuous Professional Development; and PD02 Knowing Your Customers

Module 08: The Ongoing Advice Process

Apprentices will explore how financial advice is maintained beyond the initial recommendation, including ongoing reviews, monitoring suitability and responding to changes in a client’s circumstances, objectives and attitude to risk. They will develop the skills to prioritise advice, manage complex client requirements and demonstrate the continuing value of professional financial planning.

Duration: 2 weeks
Off-the-job training: 24 hours
Workshops: 1
E-learning modules: 0
Assessments: 2, PD03 Continuous Professional Development and CS05 Complex Case

Module 09: Developing a Sustainable Client Bank

Apprentices will learn how high-quality client relationships contribute to sustainable business growth. They will explore client retention, trust, communication, referrals and business development, and consider how they can add value throughout the client relationship while balancing commercial objectives with positive client outcomes.

Duration: 5 weeks
Off-the-job training: 16 hours
Workshops: 2, including EPA and Case Study Preparation
E-learning modules: 0
Assessments: 1, PD04 Relationship Management

READY TO GET STARTED?

Enquire about the Level 4 Paraplanner and Financial Planner apprenticeship

Speak to our team to find out more about the programme, funding options and how we can support you or your business.

Download the full road-map

Eligibility, Suitability and Funding

Apprenticeship Requirements

Aged 16 or over
Employed in England and meeting residency/right-to-work requirements
In a suitable role that supports the required apprenticeship skills and knowledge
Has enough new learning to justify the apprenticeship
Has sufficient time to complete the programme and assessment
Not undertaking another apprenticeship or conflicting publicly funded training
Paid at least the legal minimum wage

Qualifications

5 GCSEs at Grade 4 / C or above
English Level 2 or above
Maths Level 2 or above
A level 3 in business, maths, law or economic would be desirable
Degree (in a related disciplie) qualified applicants are exempt from experience requirements

Experience

Minimum of one years industry experience. Reviewed per candidate and employer.

Non-Levy Funding

For firms with an annual pay bill of less than £3 million.

16 – 24 year olds are fully funded
25 or older, £650 + VAT payable
Incentives available

Levy Funding

For firms with an annual pay bill of £3 million or more.

16 – 24 year olds are fully funded
25 or older are funded until levy exhausted after which 25% of remaining funding is payable

Upcoming course start dates

09/12/2026

Deadline for applications:
25/11/2026.

16/12/2026

Deadline for applications:
02/12/2026.

Supporting your career in financial services

The financial services sector offers a wide range of rewarding career opportunities. This apprentices give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to get started and progress.

Learn more about the financial services career pathways open to you once completing this apprenticeship, including Mortgage Adviser, Compliance Officer, Paraplanner and Financial Adviser.

Enquire about this course

Employer or potential apprentice? Make a general enquiry about this course.

Arrange a meeting

Employer, learning development or hiring manager? Book a meeting with one of our advisers to discuss your apprenticeship and training requirements.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Non-levy and Levy funding?

Levy employers have an annual payroll of over £3 million and pay the Apprenticeship Levy at 0.5% of their pay bill. They can use funds in their Apprenticeship Service account to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment.

Non-levy employers have an annual payroll of £3 million or less and do not pay the levy. The government funds most or all of the apprenticeship training cost.

For non-levy employers, apprentices aged 16 to 24 are currently funded at 100% up to the funding band maximum. For apprentices aged 25+, the employer normally contributes 5% and the government pays 95%.

If a levy employer runs out of levy funds, different co-investment rules apply. For apprentices aged 25+, the government currently contributes 75%, with the employer contributing the balance up to the funding band maximum.

What is protected off-the-job training?

Protected off-the-job training is dedicated learning time that apprentices must receive during their normal paid working hours, away from their productive job duties. It must develop new knowledge, skills and behaviours directly relevant to the apprenticeship standard. Whilst some employer-led activities can contribute to these planned hours, where a qualification is involved apprentices often need 6 – 7 hours per week away from their workplace duties to study effectively.

The Apprenticeships (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2017 place off-the-job training on a statutory footing, requiring it to form part of an approved English apprenticeship and to be specified within the apprenticeship agreement, mandating this time must take place during normal working hours.

For apprentices starting from 1 August 2025, the previous blanket 20% calculation has been replaced by a minimum number of off-the-job training hours for each apprenticeship standard.