At a Glance
- Tasks: Support Financial Planners and clients, ensuring smooth service and building strong relationships.
- Company: Join PKF Francis Clark, a leading independent chartered accountancy firm in the South West.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working, and excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team and make a real impact in financial services.
- Qualifications: Client-focused, organised, and ideally have 2 years in financial services administration.
- Other info: Ranked as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces with great training for career growth.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 ÂŁ per year.
We’re looking for a motivated, detail‑driven Client Executive to join our Financial Planning team in Exeter. If you’re passionate about delivering first‑class client service and enjoy working in a dynamic, regulated financial services environment, this could be the ideal next step in your career.
In this role, you’ll provide essential support to our Financial Planners and Paraplanners, ensuring our clients receive a smooth, efficient, and professional service at every stage. You’ll be the first point of contact for many client queries, helping to build trusted and long‑lasting relationships.
Alongside a competitive salary, hybrid working and outstanding development opportunities, you’ll have the chance to grow your career within a supportive, team‑focused environment.
What you’ll be doing day to day:
- Acting as the first point of contact for non‑advice client queries, delivering an exceptional service experience
- Building strong and positive client relationships, maintaining regular communication
- Managing end‑to‑end processing of investment, pension and protection business
- Ensuring all work complies with FCA regulations and internal procedures
- Maintaining accurate client records and supporting internal audits and file checks
- Working closely with Financial Planners, Paraplanners and product providers to ensure smooth service delivery
- Preparing client review packs, documentation and correspondence
- Booking and coordinating client meetings, including meeting packs and follow‑up actions
- Assisting clients with application forms when required
- Participating in team meetings, supporting workflow management and contributing to continuous improvement
- Supporting onboarding and training of new or less experienced team members
- Operating with autonomy to manage workflows effectively and escalate or resolve issues proactively
About you:
You’ll thrive in this role if you are:
- Client‑focused, professional and confident in your communication
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
- Comfortable working independently within administrative processes
- An enthusiastic team player who collaborates effectively with colleagues
- Able to handle sensitive information discreetly and professionally
- Skilled at problem‑solving and proposing practical, solutions‑focused ideas
- Empathetic and patient when dealing with challenging or complex situations
- Proactive and eager to develop your skills and knowledge
Additional experience that would be an advantage includes:
- Ideally 2 years’ experience in financial services administration (preferably within an IFA or professional services setting)
- Knowledge of FCA regulations, AML, and general compliance
- Familiarity with CRM systems such as Intelliflo
- Working knowledge of financial products and platforms
- Progress toward CII Level 3 Certificate in Financial Services (or similar)
Why work at PKF Francis Clark:
We’re the largest firm of independent chartered accountants and business advisors in South West England. We have nine offices in Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Poole, Salisbury, Southampton, Taunton, Torquay and Truro. The firm, which celebrated its centenary in 2019, has annual revenue of over £65 million and a 900‑strong team based across our offices. Our continuing growth offers you the opportunity to expand and develop your career in a direction that interests you.
We offer a supportive and flexible culture, taking your career seriously to enable you to be the best you can be. Since September 2022, PKF Francis Clark has been certified as a Great Place to Work. We work hard to ensure that ours is a culture where you can be yourself, develop and be part of a forward‑thinking team that makes brilliant things happen.
Your core benefits:
- Pension
- Group life assurance - up to four times your core salary
- Group income protection
- Health cash plan to help cover the costs of everyday healthcare
- Option to buy 5 extra days holiday*
- Counselling and support for you and your immediate family
- Virtual GP for you and your immediate family
- Cycle to work*
- MediCash Extras providing you with shopping and gym discounts
- Gifts for career and family milestones
- One volunteering day per year to support local organisations
- Emergency funding from the Francis Clark Charitable Foundation
Please note* These benefits are provided via a salary exchange and are subject to employee’s post exchange hourly rate remaining above the national minimum wage. Note: This description represents current benefits and may be subject to change.
IFA Administrator in Exeter employer: PKF Francis Clark
Contact Detail:
PKF Francis Clark Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land IFA Administrator in Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the financial services sector, especially those who work at PKF Francis Clark. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to job opportunities that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to client service and financial regulations. We recommend role-playing with a friend or using online resources to boost your confidence and polish your responses.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your organisational skills! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've managed client queries or streamlined processes in previous roles. This will demonstrate your fit for the IFA Administrator position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at PKF Francis Clark.
We think you need these skills to ace IFA Administrator in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the IFA Administrator role. Highlight your experience in financial services and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for client service and detail how your background aligns with our needs. Let us know why you’re excited about joining our Financial Planning team.
Showcase Your Attention to Detail: In a regulated environment like ours, attention to detail is key. Make sure your application is free from typos and errors. We appreciate candidates who take the time to present their best work!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re proactive—just what we like to see!
How to prepare for a job interview at PKF Francis Clark
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you brush up on your knowledge of FCA regulations and financial products. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role and understand the industry.
✨Showcase Your Client Focus
Prepare examples of how you've delivered exceptional client service in the past. Think about specific situations where you built strong relationships or resolved issues effectively. This will demonstrate your client-focused approach, which is crucial for this role.
✨Be Organised and Detail-Oriented
Since the job requires excellent attention to detail, come prepared with a few examples of how you've managed complex tasks or maintained accurate records in previous roles. This will highlight your organisational skills and ability to handle sensitive information.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the team dynamics or the company's approach to client service. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values.