Outsourced paraplanning - best way to gain real paraplanning experience independently

Hi all,

I’m hoping to get some advice from those already working in outsourced paraplanning.

A bit of background: I’ve spent 3 years working in business development within financial planning (supporting IFAs), and I’m currently one exam away from completing the Level 4 Diploma (due to finish next month).

My longer term goal is to build a career in outsourced paraplanning. I’m very aware that being “qualified on paper” is very different from being technically competent.

The challenge I’m facing is that my current role doesn’t expose me to the technical paraplanning/admin side (research, cashflow modelling, suitability reports, pension/investment analysis, compliance support, etc.), so I’m trying to find the most realistic and respected way to bridge that gap.

I’d really appreciate views on:
• The best routes to gain genuine paraplanning experience without leaving full-time employment immediately
• Whether paid training / mentoring arrangements with paraplanning firms are common or viable
• How valuable software certifications (e.g. FE Analytics, Voyant, CashCalc) are in lieu of experience
• Whether building a portfolio of anonymised sample work is something firms actually value
• Any advice on what you wish you’d learned earlier when starting out in paraplanning

Any insight from those who’ve made the transition, or who work with newer paraplanners, would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
Adam