1 in 3 advice professionals work longer than UK average

New research suggests that almost a third of advice professionals (31.5%) work more than a standard 35 to 40 hour week.

The research, by tech support firm Intelliflo, found that almost one in three advice professionals do more than a UK standard 35 to 40 hour working week.

The figures are directly related to work-life balance, according to the research, with longer hours more likely to lead to a poorer work-life balance. Those working 49 hours or more a week, for example, report a significantly worse work-life balance.

Respondents were asked to score their own work-life balance between 1 and 5, with 5 being ‘very good.’ The study found that average scores fell as weekly hours climbed, from 3.61 out of 5 for a 35 to 40 hours per week, to 3.27 for those working 41 to 48 hours and 2.90 for those working 49 hours or more.

The findings, published today, form part of Intelliflo’s 2026 Adviser Lifestyle Index which surveyed 228 people working in UK financial advice on their working hours, their use of technology and how they would spend time freed up from admin.

Many of the extra hours at work are spent on administration, the study found. Intelliflo’s 2026 Advice Efficiency Survey found that of the average 9.2 hours it takes to guide one client through the advice process, two-thirds are spent away from the client.

Four-fifths of respondents (80%) say technology has made a significant or moderate improvement to their work-life balance. Those who report that it has made a significant improvement also rate their work-life balance higher (3.75 out of 5) than those who feel little or no benefit (3.23 out of 5).

Asked what they would do with time freed up by technology, respondents’ priorities were personal rather than commercial, according to the study. More than half the profession would put it back into their own lives, with 35% saying they would reclaim personal time with 21% using it to reduce their core working hours. 

Some 25% who would use the extra time to build their client base or business. Preferred pastimes tend to be active or social, with travelling (39%), dining out (38%) and walking (38%) topping the list, outranking gaming (8%) by nearly five to one.

Richard Wake, chief operating officer at intelliflo, said: “The research shows that almost a third of the profession is working more than 40 hours a week, and much of that time goes on admin rather than advising clients. Technology is changing that. Firms that put it to work are saving hours on every client, and they can reinvest that time in their business, whether that’s serving more clients, deepening relationships or developing their teams.”

• The 2026 Adviser Lifestyle Index surveyed 228 people working across UK financial advice, including financial advisers, planners, Paraplanners, firm owners and principals, and support and operations staff, on their working hours, technology use and priorities for their time. Fieldwork was conducted in June. 

Financial Planning Today Analysis: This study, albeit of a relatively small sample, suggests that despite the rush to remote, hybrid and part-time working, many people working in the advice profession still work longer hours than the standard UK working week (typically 37.5 hours). According to the Intelliflo study many of the extra hours at work are spent on admin but it could also be that many, particularly those building a business, are comfortable working slightly longer hours than average workers in pursuit of business growth. Of more interest, is the relationship between long hours and poorer work-life balance. Working longer hours consistently may not be the smartest way to work for advice professionals and many are aware of the impact this has on their own work-life balance.