Finance sector's graduate appeal - graduate jobs

Graduates should be encouraged to see financial advice as a realistic career option, the newly-elected president of the Personal Finance Society has announced.

Mike Fosberry said professionalism must be stimulated within the industry at adviser and firm level claiming new members would prove to be the lifeblood for the future of the sector.

Fosberry, who is director of Smith & Williamson Advisory Investment Service, was officially appointed to the role at the PFS annual conference last week.

"The RDR (Retail Distribution Review) is a huge opportunity to get professionalism back into the sector. There has been an expectation that advice is free and we have to educate consumers that there is a cost to advice. I think adviser-charging is a positive move because it will provide clarity and show people that our services do have a value," he said.

"It will be costly for firms to move from one business model to another and it will be a challenge for many financially but once firms have made the changes, they will have a business that is really worth something."

Fosberry said his aim for his first year as president was to demonstrate the value of PFS membership and encourage more members to get involved in regional activities.

<http://www.graduate-jobs.com/gj/recruitment/graduate_jobs_in_Finance> (Finance)

<http://www.thepfs.org/pfs.aspx> (Personal Finance Society)