All authorised advisers are required to have a complaints procedure and this is the first course to follow if you think you have been badly advised. If this doesn't resolve the problem, you can refer your complaint, without cost to you, to an appropriate Ombudsman. The firm that has been dealing with your complaint should, as part of their procedure, give you details of the ombudsman to contact. Firms regulated by the PIA are subject to the Personal Investment Authority Ombudsman. There is also a Banking Ombudsman and a Building Society Ombudsman, depending on who advised you.
Mortgage advice is subject to the Mortgage Code.
Some solicitors and accountants are also authorised to act as financial advisers, although this is not their main area of business. You may want to check that they have the right expertise to give the advice you need, particularly if it is in a complex area such as pensions. Often, mortgage advisers are not authorised to give full financial advice and just deal with products related to house purchase. Most mortgage advisers comply with the Mortgage Code, which sets out their responsibilities to customers and requires them to explain the level of advice they provide. I am looking for a new house and the estate agent introduced me to their mortgage adviser.