If you’re considering a career in financial planning but only know the traditional route—the one that’s been around since the 1980s, where it was all about commission, sales targets, and high startup costs—it can feel daunting. The big academies still operate on that old model, tying new advisers into restrictive agreements and product sales to repay their training costs. Many find themselves on the hook for years, pressured to meet sales quotas just to stay afloat.
But what if there was another way? A way to build a career in financial planning without needing vast sums of money to start, without being tied to product sales, and without the burden of high regulatory barriers?
Welcome to Holistic Wealth Planning at the Academy of Life Planning
At the Academy of Life Planning, we offer a completely different approach. You don’t need huge startup funds or to lock yourself into long-term sales agreements. Instead, you can become a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) through the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI)—a globally recognised qualification that lets you provide financial planning without selling products.
Even better, because holistic wealth planning operates outside the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) perimeter, life is simpler. You’re not bogged down with endless compliance requirements, and you have the freedom to build a business that truly serves people—not just the financial industry’s bottom line.
Making Financial Planning Accessible to All
Traditional financial advice firms focus on wealthier clients—those with large pension pots or investment portfolios. But what about younger clients or those who just want smart financial guidance without the pressure to buy products? With our model, you can serve a broader audience through subscription-based services, masterclasses, and affordable financial education.
This opens up financial planning to people who have been historically underserved while giving advisers an alternative career path that’s fulfilling and financially sustainable.
Overcoming Barriers for Young Advisers
We know that for many aspiring financial planners, regulation and startup costs are a major hurdle. Just getting FCA authorisation can cost upwards of £25,000 before you even start trading. Then there are paraplanning costs, compliance fees, legal expenses—the list goes on. It’s no wonder so many young advisers either give up or join restrictive networks that limit their independence.
In Today’s FT Adviser, Kristian Manton, a Chartered Financial Planner at Octopus Money, highlighted in a recent interview that it can take half a million pounds to build a scalable advice business. This pricing structure makes it nearly impossible for younger advisers to enter the industry without significant financial backing.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
At the Academy of Life Planning, we remove those barriers. Our holistic financial planning model lets you start small, scale at your own pace, and work with clients in ways that suit you. Whether you want to provide one-to-one coaching, run online workshops, or build a community-based financial guidance business, we give you the tools and support to do it—without the heavy financial burden.
A Changing Industry – The Future is Bright
The financial planning industry is undergoing a major shift as younger generations inherit wealth from their parents and grandparents. However, traditional advisers have primarily focused on wealthy delegators—clients who already have significant wealth and want someone to manage it for them. This leaves a huge gap in the market for advisers who want to empower people to take control of their own financial futures.
Holistic Wealth Planners take a different approach. Rather than simply showing clients how to save what they’ve already earned, they focus on human capital development strategies—helping people create wealth, not just preserve it. This means leveraging technology to make financial independence more accessible, giving individuals the tools and knowledge to take charge of their finances in a way that suits their lifestyle and aspirations.
Manton put it best: “Advice has not massively changed since the 70s. Someone comes to your house, has a cup of tea with you, and then sends you a long report in the post.” That outdated model doesn’t work for today’s clients.
Instead, we need to rethink financial advice—making it accessible, transparent, and flexible. By embracing digital engagement, financial coaching, and subscription-based models, we can open up financial planning to a wider audience and help people build wealth on their own terms.
Ready to Explore a New Path?
If you’ve been put off by the traditional financial advice route, or you’re looking for a way to build a meaningful, client-focused career without the burden of sales targets and restrictive contracts, the Academy of Life Planning is here to help.
We’re creating a new generation of financial planners—ones who are free from industry constraints and who truly serve their clients. If that sounds like the career you want, we’d love to support you on your journey.
Check us out today and take the first step towards a more fulfilling financial planning career.
Academy of Life Planning 