More planners working in offices but remote working widespread

Two-thirds of Financial Planners (65%) are now working at least part of the week remotely but a growing number have also returned mostly to office working compared to last year, according to Financial Planning Today’s annual survey of the profession.

A fifth, just over 20%, more Planners have returned to working in the office in the last year according to the survey.

This year 31% of the Financial Planners surveyed by Financial Planning Today Magazine said they worked mostly from their office, with at least three days spent in the office.

That compares with just 26% in 2024.

The number of Planners working remotely for part of the week has, however, almost trebled in just two years, according to the survey.

Some 23% of Planners are now working exclusively remotely, continuing the notable growth seen from the 14% reported in 2024 and 7% reported in 2023.

There has also been a growth in flexible working with 23% of readers now working entirely flexibly, with their working location changing week to week.

The survey revealed a good degree of optimism within the Financial Planning sector with the number of Planners expressing positive sentiments climbing more than a tenth in the last year and up more than a half since 2023.

This year almost three quarters, 71%, of Financial Planners said felt positive about prospects for the profession, compared to almost two thirds, 64%, in 2024 and less than half, just 45%, in 2003.

• You can read the results of our full Reader Survey in the latest edition of Financial Planning Today Magazine and subscribe to receive every issue.