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Business Adviser

This job belongs to job family > Administration, Business and Office Work

Further details

Business advisers give independent advice and guidance to new and established businesses.

Tasks may include:

  • drawing up business plans
  • advising them on loans and grants
  • devising marketing strategies
  • improving productivity
  • monitoring business progress
  • running workshops and seminars.

They specialise in:

  • marketing and public relations (PR)
  • finance, accountancy and taxation
  • IT systems and e-commerce
  • human resources (HR) and training
  • management
  • law
  • exporting and importing
  • research and development.

Advisers generally work around 37 to 40 hours a week. Some evening or weekend work may be required. They are usually office based, but often visit clients in their own businesses and also attend networking events.

Salaries range from around £20,000 to £50,000 or more a year.

A business adviser should:

  • have commercial experience in a small or medium-sized business
  • have good communication skills
  • have up-to-date knowledge of funding and grants available to start-up businesses
  • be able to work to tight deadlines and manage several projects at the same time
  • be able to use initiative
  • be aware of current business issues and geographical trends
  • have IT skills
  • have an interest in business and commerce.

Business advisers may work for business enterprise and support organisations, such as Business Link or the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (NFEA) network, for consultancies or as self-employed consultants.

Many enter the profession after:

  • running a small, medium or large business, as an owner or manager
  • providing business consultancy or working as a management consultant
  • gaining expertise in a key area of business, such as senior management, marketing or finance.

Business-related degree courses and diplomas provide a good grounding.

Training is on the job and includes in-house training courses. There is a range of qualifications, including an NVQ Level 4 in business support.

Some universities offer postgraduate courses in business coaching and mentoring.

Business advisers in a business support agency can be promoted to team manager, work their way up to senior management or specialise in a sector of industry or an area of business, such as marketing or finance. There are also opportunities to work as a self-employed consultant.

Further details

 
 

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