What Does an Outsourced Paraplanner Do?

For UK adviser firmsReviewed 11 August 2026By Compliant Paraplanning Services

Direct answerAn outsourced paraplanner can review the supplied case file, identify gaps, research suitable products or strategies, complete agreed analysis and calculations, and draft suitability material in the firm’s template. The adviser firm decides the recommendation, communicates with the client, checks the output and retains regulatory accountability.

Work that can sit inside the scope

Case-file completeness and dependency checks
Provider, product and technical research
Charges, features and scenario comparisons
Agreed tax, retirement-income or investment calculations
Suitability report drafting and structured handover notes
Clear recording of assumptions, evidence gaps and adviser decisions

What does not transfer to Compliant

The engaging firm retains its permissions, client relationship, advice, recommendation, supervision, complaints responsibilities and final file approval. FCA guidance is clear that a regulated firm cannot delegate its regulatory responsibility through outsourcing.

When outsourced support tends to fit

It can suit temporary capacity gaps, variable case volumes, a defined technical project or firms that want specialist production support without fixed headcount. A good fit still depends on clear scope, information quality, secure access, competence, oversight and a workable feedback route.

Questions to settle before the first case

Which case types and deliverables are in scope?
Who makes and signs off every advice decision?
Which templates, research rules and compliance checks apply?
How will client data be transferred, accessed and deleted?
What starts, pauses or changes the delivery target?
How will quality, incidents and recurring issues be reviewed?

Frequently asked questions

Can an outsourced paraplanner work in a firm’s own template?

Yes. The scope can require the firm’s report template, research standards, assumptions and compliance checks, provided these are supplied before work begins.

Who remains responsible for the advice?

The engaging adviser firm remains responsible for its regulated activities, client outcomes, supervision and final file decisions. Outsourcing work does not outsource accountability.

Does an outsourced paraplanner give advice to the client?

No. Compliant supplies business-to-business technical support; the engaging adviser firm retains the client relationship, regulated recommendation, approval and sign-off.

Primary sources