How to check an advisor is FSCA-registered before you commit

You've just had a recommendation from a friend or stumbled across an advisor who sounds promising for your retirement planning. Before you book a meeting or hand over any documents, you need to know they're actually registered with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority. It takes minutes, costs nothing, and protects you from speaking to someone who isn't qualified or who might be breaking the law.

The FSCA register is your first stop

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority maintains a public register of all authorised financial services providers in South Africa. Go to the FSCA website and use their search tool. You'll need the advisor's full name or their company name. What you're looking for is confirmation they hold an active financial services licence and that their category of advice includes retirement planning. If they don't appear on the register, or if their status shows as inactive or surrendered, walk away. No exception.

When you find them on the register, note their licence number and the scope of their advice. Some advisors are licensed for general investment advice only; others for retirement fund advice. If they're recommending changes to your pension or provident fund, they need explicit authorisation for retirement fund advice. The register also shows whether any conditions or restrictions apply to their licence—occasionally an advisor might be licensed but prohibited from advising on certain products.

Ask them directly and get it in writing

Don't assume the register is up to date or that an advisor will volunteer this information. Email or message them and ask: "Can you confirm your FSCA licence number and send me a copy of your current registration?" A legitimate advisor will send this within a day. If they're evasive, say they'll bring it to your first meeting, or claim it's not necessary, that's a red flag. They should be proud of their registration.

Once they send it, cross-check the details against what you found on the FSCA register. The licence number and adviser name must match exactly. If there's any discrepancy, ask them about it directly before proceeding. Legitimate mistakes happen—a name change or a move to a new firm—but the advisor should be able to explain it clearly.

Check their complaints history and any disciplinary action

The FSCA also publishes information about enforcement action and complaints against registered providers. Search for the advisor's name on the FSCA website to see if there's any history of sanctions, fines, or disciplinary findings. This isn't about holding a grudge; everyone makes mistakes. But if an advisor has been found to have misled clients, failed to keep records, or breached conduct standards, you need to know that before you entrust them with your retirement.

You can also contact the Ombudsman for Financial Services Provider (FAIS Ombud). They handle complaints against financial advisors and keep a record of disputes and their outcomes. A quick call or email to ask if they have any record of complaints against your chosen advisor is worth your time.

References from other clients

Once you've confirmed the registration and checked for complaints, ask the advisor for references from existing clients—preferably clients in a similar situation to you, such as other self-employed people or someone with a similar-sized retirement pot. When you call them, ask specifically about their experience with the advisor's communication, whether they felt pressured into decisions, and whether the advice they received was clearly explained. Also ask whether the advisor regularly reviews their plan and explains fees upfront.

Registration is the baseline, not the finish line. A registered advisor who can't communicate clearly or who chases commission over your interests isn't the right fit either. But without that FSCA registration verified, you're taking unnecessary risk. Once you've confirmed their credentials and spoken to happy clients, you can move toward a discovery conversation with more confidence. On Strove, all listed advisors include their registration details in their profile, so you can cross-check straight away.