Summary
Financial and Investment Advisers (KeSCO 2412) supports outcomes in the Finance, Business & Professional Services sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Minimum entry
Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
Future outlook
Future trends such as digital transformation, automation, climate resilience, and changing consumer needs are shaping most occupations. Workers who continuously upskill (digital literacy, quality standards, safety, customer service, and modern tools) are more resilient and competitive.
Sectors
Finance, Business & Professional ServicesProfessional ServicesPublic SectorPrivate SectorNGO/DevelopmentSpecialised Practice
Description
Financial and Investment Advisers (KeSCO 2412) supports outcomes in the Finance, Business & Professional Services sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Employment prospects
Prospects depend on national and county demand, sector investment, policy priorities, and supply of trained workers. Job seekers improve prospects by gaining practical experience, building a portfolio or track record, earning relevant certifications, and being flexible on location and sub-sector.
Tasks
- Plan and prioritise daily work activities to meet targets and deadlines
- Follow workplace procedures, standards, and relevant regulations
- Carry out core job duties accurately and safely
- Use job tools/equipment/software correctly and maintain them appropriately
- Communicate progress, issues, and requirements with supervisors and colleagues
- Serve clients/customers professionally and resolve routine queries
- Document work completed, maintain records, and submit routine reports
- Identify errors, risks, or service gaps and propose improvements
- Work as part of a team and coordinate tasks across units
- Maintain confidentiality and ethical conduct where required
- Comply with occupational safety and health (OSH) guidelines
- Participate in training, mentoring, or continuous improvement activities
Skills
Communication (verbal and written) | Teamwork and collaboration | Problem-solving and critical thinking | Time management and prioritisation | Attention to detail and accuracy | Customer service orientation | Integrity and ethical conduct | Adaptability and continuous learning | Decision-making and judgement | Documentation and record-keeping | Digital literacy (basic) | Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Core skills
- Communication (verbal and written)
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Time management and prioritisation
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Customer service orientation
- Integrity and ethical conduct
- Adaptability and continuous learning
- Decision-making and judgement
- Documentation and record-keeping
- Digital literacy (basic)
- Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Technical skills
- Use of hand and power tools safely
- Installation, maintenance, and repair procedures
- Reading drawings/specifications and measurements
- Troubleshooting and fault diagnosis
- Quality control and workmanship standards
- Equipment handling and preventive maintenance
- Workplace safety and PPE usage
- Basic electrical/mechanical principles (as relevant)
- Material handling and storage
- Site readiness and task planning
- Compliance with standards and inspections
Transferable skills
- Leadership and supervision (as one progresses)
- Negotiation and stakeholder management
- Conflict resolution
- Presentation and public speaking
- Creativity and innovation
- Emotional intelligence
- Planning and organisation
- Resilience and stress management
- Service mindset and empathy
- Networking and relationship building
- Analytical thinking
- Professionalism and work discipline
Certifications
- Trade test / competency certification (where applicable)
- Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) certification (strongly recommended)
- Equipment-specific operator certification (where applicable)
- First Aid certification (recommended in many workplaces)
Education
Specialised degree in the relevant discipline | Graduate internship/attachments where applicable | Professional registration/licensing where regulated | Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Pathways
- Specialised degree in the relevant discipline
- Graduate internship/attachments where applicable
- Professional registration/licensing where regulated
- Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Relevant courses
- Diploma/Certificate in Electrical/Electronics Engineering
- Diploma/Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
- Civil/Construction Technology
- Welding and Fabrication
- Plumbing and Pipefitting
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
- Automotive Mechanics
- Plant/Machine Operation
- Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
- CAD/Draughting basics
Institutions
- Universities (accredited public and private universities offering relevant programmes)
- National Polytechnics and TVET institutions (diploma, certificate, artisan programmes)
- Technical Training Institutes and Vocational Centres
- Professional Colleges and Accredited Training Academies
- Sector Training Authorities and Recognised Centres of Excellence
- Employer-based Academies and Apprenticeship Programmes
- Online Learning Platforms (supplementary; verify recognition for regulated fields)
- Industry Associations and Professional Bodies (short courses/CPD)
Minimum requirements
- Minimum education: Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
- Basic literacy and numeracy (reading, writing, and basic calculations)
- Good conduct, reliability, and professional behaviour
- Ability to follow instructions, procedures, and workplace rules
- Basic digital literacy where the role uses computers/phones
- Physical/medical fitness where the role is physically demanding or safety-sensitive
- Regulatory registration/licensing where required (profession-dependent)
- Background checks/clearance for sensitive roles where applicable
Work context
Workplace policies | Team collaboration | Quality standards | Professional environment | Standards compliance | Reporting
Where they work
- Public sector institutions, private companies, NGOs and community-based organisations depending on the sector.
Work setting
Not specified.
Schedule
Full-time commonDaytime hours commonDeadlines possible
Employment type
Formal employment possible
Earnings
Entry level
KES 50,000 – 120,000
Mid level
KES 120,000 – 250,000
Entry-level typical range (illustrative): KES 50,000 – 120,000 | Mid-level typical range (illustrative): KES 120,000 – 250,000 | Senior/experienced typical range (illustrative): KES 250,000+ | Earnings vary by employer (public/private), location, allowances, commissions, overtime, risk factors, and scarcity of skills
How to become one
Complete a degree in the relevant discipline, undertake internships or graduate programmes and meet any professional registration or licensing requirements.
Career progression
- Entry/Intern → Junior Practitioner → Mid-level → Senior Specialist
- Senior Specialist → Team Lead/Principal → Manager/Head of Unit (where applicable)
- Some pathways include consultancy, research, training, or policy roles
Related occupations
- Other occupations within the same KeSCO major group
- Support roles in the same sector/industry
- Supervisory roles related to this occupation’s work area
- Specialist variants of the same occupation (where they exist)
Occupation titles
2412-13 — Budget Analyst
Budget Analyst is responsible for evaluates spending needs, and conducting cost benefit analyses compiling and formatting financial estimates taking initial action on budget monitoring; preparing reports and briefs on budgetary policy issues; and initial processing of reallocations within the budget within their area of professional practice.
2412-17 — Credit Analyst
Credit Analyst is responsible for consider merging the two) analyze financial statements, credit reports, and other data to assess creditworthiness(replace the two above with this one) evaluate risk associated with lending to individuals or businesses prepare credit analysis reports and recommendations for approval or denial monitor existing accounts for changes in financial risk within their area of professional practice.
2412-15 — Financial and Investment advisors
Financial and Investment advisors is responsible for recommend stocks, bonds, mutual funds or other investment products understand financial goals, risk tolerance and current financial situation develop financial plans advise clients on investments, taxes, estate planning, college savings accounts, insurance, mortgages, and retirement within their area of professional practice.
2412-11 — Financial Examiner
Financial Examiner is responsible for ensure compliance with laws that govern institutions handling monetary transactions; consider unmerging) analyze financial risks and identify potential fraud or mismanagement assessing bank management review financial records within their area of professional practice.
2412-16 — Financial Planner
Financial Planner is responsible for analyze the financial statements of a company or individual to identify risks, rewards, and opportunities; analyzes financial statuses, developing budgets prepares analysis reports; assess clients’ financial situations, goals, risk tolerance and time horizons develop personalized financial plans covering investments, savings, retirement, tax and risk management recommend, implement, and monitor investment and wealth building strategies advise clients on insurance, estate planning coordination and education funding within their area of professional practice.
2412-12 — Financial System Analyst
Financial System Analyst is responsible for manage financial systems analyzes data and financial systems processes identifies opportunities for improvement and communicates recommendations to management forecasts trends and business opportunities; provides training and support to financial systems users within their area of professional practice.
2412-18 — Resource Mobiliser
Resource Mobiliser is responsible for assist in mobilizing non financial resources from private sectors entities, individuals and corporate agencies; coordinate processing of agreements in connection with funding opportunities ensures effective and timely follow up in terms of submission of reports to the donors and grant renewal proposals within their area of professional practice.
2412-14 — Risk Management Analyst
Risk Management Analyst is responsible for identify, evaluate, and prioritize the risks faced by organizations applies economic resources to minimize or control the impact of risk for corporations; develop risk models monitor risk exposure prepare reports on risk finding and recommendations for management or regulators within their area of professional practice.