'Proving yourself as a 22-year old adviser isn’t easy'

Being a financial adviser at 22 years of age comes with its challenges, but Melissa Ellis has chosen to instead focus on the positives her youth presents.

According to FCA figures, just 8 per cent of all financial advisers are under the age of 30. 

Ellis, who qualified as a financial adviser last summer, said being young can be difficult with prospective clients sometimes linking age with experience.

“I try not to dwell on it too much and let my knowledge do the talking," Ellis said.

“I’ve had clients say ‘is your boss going to sit in on the meeting with us?’ and on a lot of occasions he does at the moment because I’m starting off. 

"If that is what they want then [my boss] should join because whatever makes the client feel better is what I like.

“It can be a little frustrating because obviously you work so hard to get to where you are and I am confident in my knowledge, but it just comes down to building trust.

"The longer I am here, I am sure it will grow," she added.

Ellis decided a career in financial advice was for her after doing a work experience placement in the office of her father's IFA while she was studying business at college. 

“I saw the work they did with my dad helping him towards his retirement and I thought I would love to do that - I would love to help people and add value to someone’s life and show them how much they could gain in retirement or through investments,” Ellis said.

Ballroom dancing days

Initially though, Ellis was split between pursuing a career in advice or following her passion as a professional ballroom dancer.

“I was confident that was what I would end up doing, but it got really tough to find dance partners. When I went to college it was very much: do I go down an academic route or do I put everything into dancing.

"I’m glad I chose to become an IFA, but I definitely miss the dancing at points."

While Ellis said she used to dance "day in and day out", she has put her love for it on the back burner while she focuses on building her career in financial advice. 

Ellis took the CII route to qualification and completed the exams alongside working in an advice firm over a two-year period. 

I’ve had comments like ‘oh are you support staff’ or how long have you been qualified

“I’ve given myself until age 26 to become chartered so with exams and dancing it might be too much,” Ellis said. 

"In terms of the exams, I expected them to be difficult but some were more so than I expected.