Money advisers, also known as debt counsellors or debt advisers, help people whose debts have become too large or complex for them to manage. They offer free, impartial, independent and confidential advice on how to deal with money and debt problems, and how to cope with the relevant laws and court procedures.

Some money advisers represent their clients in the County or Magistrates courts.

Most money advisers work with clients face-to-face, but some positions exist with telephone helplines.

The main tasks money advisers undertake include:

• helping clients identify their income and expenditure
• deciding, with clients, which outgoings are essential, such as rent/mortgage payments, gas and electricity, council tax, water rates and food
• helping clients maximise their income by identifying welfare benefits they may be eligible for
• identifying priority and non-priority debts
• negotiating with creditors to arrange affordable and realistic repayments
• helping clients plan how they spend their money.

Experienced money advisers may provide support services to other advice workers. They may provide training on the law, and tactics and courses of action which may be taken when dealing with money matters.

Some advisers will be involved in social policy work, seeking to influence the procedures and practices of agencies such as the Department for Work and Pensions. They may pursue court cases to test the interpretation of the law.

Hours and Environment

Full-time money advisers usually work 40 hours a week, though not all paid posts are full-time. Some evening or Saturday work may be required, to suit clients. Flexi-time may be available.

Some money advisers may work entirely in the office, others may visit clients in their homes or attend court hearings.

A driving licence may be needed for posts requiring travel to outreach services or clients outside the locality.

Skills and Interests

To be a money adviser, you should:

• be good with numbers
• be able to communicate clearly and effectively in speech and in writing, with clients, colleagues and outside agencies
• have good listening skills
• have strong negotiation skills
• be well organised and have the ability to work well in a team, and on your own
• be able to set priorities and meet deadlines
• be impartial and treat clients in a way which is non-judgemental and without bias.

Entry

There are no set entry requirements, however, some GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) may be an advantage.

Many money advisers have experience of working in one of the following areas:

• finance or accounting
• consumer advice
• in an advice centre, as a volunteer
• in an appropriate department of a local council or public utility.

Some posts may require advisers to speak an ethnic minority language.

A common entry route is to volunteer to work in an advice centre and undertake relevant training on issues such as debt management, court procedures and bankruptcy. After volunteering in this field for a year or more you may have acquired suitable skills and knowledge to apply for paid positions.

There is no age limit for starting in this work. Maturity and relevant work experience is often an advantage.

Training

Employers will usually provide new advisers with an induction training programme which combines mentoring from more experienced colleagues with in-house or external courses on specific issues.

Money advisers need an in-depth knowledge of the types of problems people encounter due to low income and debt, unemployment or housing difficulties. They also need to be familiar with relevant legislation, regulations and case law.

To keep up to date, money advisers frequently undertake short training courses covering specialist areas or new legislation and practice.

The Money Advice Trust (MAT) provide training support to member oganisations, which are the leading UK money advice services. The Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) provide their own nationally recognised training programme to paid and voluntary advisers. Some CAB courses are available to money advisers working for other organisations.

Money advisers can join the Money Advice Association (MAA). They provide a flexible programme of training days to members on specialist areas of money/debt advice.

Some money advisers choose to work towards a general advice work qualification, such as an NVQ/SVQ level 3 and 4 in Advice and Guidance.

Opportunities

Money advisers work within Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB), independent advice centres, Money Advice Units (MAU), and in Money Advice Support Units (MASU). Local authorities, voluntary organisations, some charities, and trade union welfare departments may also employ money advisers.

CABs, MASUs, and independent advice centres are mainly based in towns and urban areas, which means that most job vacancies occur in these places. There may be more applicants than vacancies, yet those with the right blend of skills, knowledge and experience are rare.

Within larger advice centres and the CAB network there may be the possibility of promotion to senior money adviser, co-ordinator, or centre or area manager.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

The starting salary for advisers with appropriate voluntary experience is usually around £18,000 a year.
With greater experience and responsibility, advisers can earn up to £28,000 a year.

Further information

Bridge House
181 Queen Victoria Street
London
EC4V 4DZ
Tel: 020 7489 7796 51 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7HQ
Tel: 0845 257 3772 Office 2
Voluntary Action Leeds
Stringer House
34 Lupton Street
Leeds
LS10 2QW
Tel: 0113 270 8444