I’m actually in the process of making a career change into financial planning, but am seriously considering starting a financial coaching business to start out and gain some hands-on, client-facing practical experience helping people as well as generating some money. When I was an NCO in the Air Force, I did this for several of our new Airmen who came in; kids who often were still teenagers, just got married to their high-school sweetheart and had no clue why renter’s insurance was important or why it was important to have an emergency fund, etc. I loved it and found it very personally fulfilling, hence the carer change. I’m sure you’ll find it very rewarding, too.
Financial coaching is different than financial planning in several regards. I’m in the U.S. so that is the only perspective I can give, but much should apply to your situation. It’s kind of the wild, wild west in that there are currently no regulations for financial coaching. There’s certain things you can’t legally do such as give investing advice, i.e. you can educate them on ‘this is what the Régime général des salariés is’ and ‘this is what index funds are and why they tend to make a good investment vehicle’ but you cannot recommend anything specific such as ‘open a plan épargne action and invest the money into Vanguard VTSAX’ for example. In the United States you have to be licensed to give investment advice but as long as you are not doing that or selling financial products, you’re good, France, most likely the same. Financial coaching isn’t so much about telling them what to do, but educating them and guiding their decisions-you don’t make recommendations but help them see their options and help them decide which are the best options for them. Also, because they are making the decisions, not you, you are not liable for the decisions they make. I know in the U.S. at least, if you wanted to you could get what’s called E&O insurance (errors and omissions) which can cover you for liability and is relatively inexpensive. France may have something similar, I don’t know for sure. As for accreditations, there are none that are currently required in Canada or the U.S., though one that is quickly gaining steam is the “Accredited Financial Counselor” or AFC offered by the Association For Financial Counseling & Planning (AFCPE). You may have something applicable where you are.
As for income, you get to set your rates. In the U.S. it’s not entirely uncommon for financial coaches to make the equivalent of about 36-46,000 Euros before taxes their first couple of years and around 90,000 Euros a year before taxes after 4-5 years doing it if you’re dedicated and build your client base. I know the U.S. perspective isn’t necessarily what you’re looking for, but I hope I’ve been of some help to you. Good luck!