Alan Moran: My advice for aspiring IFA business owners

Practical and emotional advice for advisers

clock • 5 min read

IFA Alan Moran kicks off a series of columns for PA with some sage advice for aspiring adviser business owners. In this first article he says that, while qualifications are important, they aren't enough - you have to be a true people person to succeed

You want to become a financial adviser and that's great to hear. From someone with more than 30 years in the business, I cannot endorse it enough.  I wholeheartedly get a lot of satisfaction out of what I do, it's become more than just a career, it's very much a huge chunk of my life and there's a vocational element to it too. I don't find being an IFA a chore in any shape or form, hopefully, that's a good start to encourage you to read on. The emotional aspect of being a financial adviser First things first. If you're going to embark on a career as an IFA I would advise you on bot...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your Business

Locking in business opportunities as wealth management evolves

Locking in business opportunities as wealth management evolves

Exploring wealth management business evolution

Jenna Brown
clock 07 November 2025 • 4 min read
The smartest business owners are thinking about legacy, not just liquidity

The smartest business owners are thinking about legacy, not just liquidity

Selling a financial planning firm can feel ‘all-consuming’

Nick Heath
clock 07 November 2025 • 4 min read
All the advice firm acquisitions that have taken place in 2025

All the advice firm acquisitions that have taken place in 2025

Keeping track of the ongoing consolidation of the advice industry

Professional Adviser
clock 06 November 2025 • 3 min read