A well-qualified adviser can help you decide which product is the best for you. They can look at what you need now and how that may change in the future.

Large choice
With a variety of financial products currently available to you, it's a full-time job keeping up to date. Advisers are trained to do just that. They undergo a thorough training programme and have to pass rigorous professional examinations before being qualified to give advice.

Suitable advice
All advisers are regulated by a recognised authority (the Financial Services Authority) and are therefore obliged to offer what is termed 'suitable advice'. This means they must gain a full understanding of your circumstances and needs before helping to choose suitable products.

In addition, when recommending a product all advisers have to provide written 'reasons why' they think it is right for you. Again to make sure you're fully informed before committing yourself to anything.