Trainee Paraplanner

At Acumen Financial Planning you will find many factors that set us apart from other firms; our people, processes, values, and ethos, all delivered in a professional yet down-to-earth manner.

Established in 2002, we are proud to be an Accredited and Chartered firm.

Our Mission is to empower clients to confidently achieve their full financial promise by delivering a holistic package of tailored professional financial planning in a straightforward way.

We require exceptional people, who share our values of being approachable, straightforward, collaborative, and dedicated, to be part of our team. We would like to hear from enthusiastic individuals, with a desire to progress and contribute across our business.

Job Purpose

To work in collaboration with the relevant Financial Planner/s in helping clients achieve their full financial promise through the efficient preparation of appropriate information, relevant documentation, producing client suitability reports and assisting the Financial Planner with the management of the client review process.

Main Duties

Supporting Client Relationship Management

• Become a point of contact for client queries by building relationships with clients as appropriate and as directed by your Financial Planner.
• Deal with internal and external queries using effective communication.
• Work with Financial Planning Support (FPS) to, as a pod, proactively work with the Financial Planner each month to initiate and manage client reviews, following company process.

Client Reviews

• Collect and collate information and data about (and from) the client to build financial forecasts and investment proposals.
• Build and maintain financial forecasts in line with company standards.
• Carry out any technical research that may be required as part of a client’s review.
• Work with your appointed Financial Planning Support to ensure all relevant compliance paperwork is present for the review.
• Attend client meetings with Financial Planner, as and when required.
• Update client management systems in line with company policies and processes.

Preparing Recommendations

• Learn to undertake detailed research on financial products, legislation, and investment strategies for analysis by the Financial Planner.
• Over time you will learn to present findings clearly and contribute to advice formulation.
• Liaise with clients’ legal and accountancy advisers (if applicable).
• Draft clear and compliant client review reports, suitability reports and letters to be discussed with, approved and signed off by the Financial Planner.
• Check all relevant paperwork is present and compliant.

Supporting the Financial Planning Team

• Collaborate with your FPS colleague to support your Financial Planner and meet client expectations.
• Work with your appointed FPS to implement your Financial Planner’s recommended investment strategies for clients.
• Be prepared to support your FPS colleagues with training requirements, if required.
• Be engaged in identifying ways to add value to processes within the Planning Team on an ongoing basis.

Project Work

• Assist with business development projects within AFP as and when required, workloads permitting.

Competencies

• Understanding of the financial planning process.
• Flexible approach to work and ability to multitask and prioritise effectively.
• Ability to understand and review client financial information effectively.
• A problem-solving mentality.
• Ability to convey client circumstances, objectives, planning complexities and recommendations in a clear and concise manner in client reports.
• Comfortable working in a team and receiving coaching and feedback.
• Has a flexible “can do” attitude to tasks and willingness to take responsibility for things that need to get done for the benefit of the team, the business as a whole and our clients.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organisational and attention-to-detail skills
• Experience working in a financial services environment, part DipPFS qualified (minimum three qualifications)
• A commitment to work towards Dip PFS
• A reasonable working knowledge of the Microsoft office suite including word, excel, outlook and teams
• Knowledge of financial services back-office systems
• Able to work within defined business processes

Responsibilities

• Act with honesty and integrity, due skill, care and diligence when carrying out the duties of the role.
• Abide by the Firm’s Values and Code of Ethics and observe proper standards of market conduct.
• Deal with the Firm’s Senior Management and regulators in an open and cooperative way.
• Maintain a strong relationship with colleagues to ensure an effective and positive working environment.
• Maintain accurate records in CMS/back-office systems (Curo). Ensure audit trails for all client documentation.
• Achieve level of performance which meets or exceeds expectations set.
• Maintain a relevant level of CPD to remain up to speed with developments in legislation, regulation, tax, financial services, products and any other matters pertinent to the role of a Paraplanner.

Manage personal workload effectively to ensure an appropriate service to both internal and external stakeholders is provided.

How to Apply