Trainee Paraplanner

Sound Financial Planning provide holistic Financial Planning to business owners; approaching, at or through retirement ensuring that client service excellence is standard. They believe that honesty, trust and kindness are the best ways to build their long-lasting client and business relationships, and the 25 years as a business has confirmed this!

In keeping their clients at the heart of what they do, their boutique business is designed and nurtured as a place for the industry to benchmark the greatness of solid, sound and safe financial advice.

The role:

The purpose of this role is to support the existing Paraplanner & Financial Planners, taking responsibility for preparation and maintenance of client files, preparation and implementations of recommendations and Financial Plans (including cash flow forecasts), and ongoing reviews of client affairs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Your key duties and responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

Preparation & maintenance of client files

• Ensure completeness of client file/data gathering
• Confirm risk profile is determined and updated
• Check all compliance paperwork is present

Preparation of recommendations

• Identify and obtain information necessary to compile clients recommendation/ cash flow forecast.
• Liaise with Paraplanning team & outsourced Paraplanning firm as necessary.
• Compile draft net worth statement; income and expenditure statements and financial cash flow forecast for review by PPs.
• Prepare information/comparisons for analysis by PP.
• Liaise with clients’ legal and tax advisers (if applicable).
• Consider current and future allocation of assets for investment strategy with regard to the client risk profile and lifetime cash flow.
• Obtaining additional information from providers regarding transactions / fund/research / withdrawals / annual allowances when needed.
• Check / correct valuations.
• Obtain illustrations, application forms, product and fund information from providers including charges, if needed.

Implementation of recommendations

• Ensure agreed action points get actioned and completed.
• Liaise with client servicing team to process recommendations as per Advice process.

Preparation of reviews

• Prepare and coordinate review documentation including; financial planning and portfolio review as per the Annual Review Process.
• Implement agreed actions post review.
• Complete comprehensive meeting file notes post reviews.

Compliance

• Comply with the Financial Services Acts, the FCA Statements of Principles & Code of Practice, the FCA Conduct Rules and the relevant FCA rules at all times.
• Comply with the relevant compliance, TCF, T&C and financial crime (anti money laundering, data security, anti-bribery, fraud and corruption) procedures of the firm at all times.
• Follow appropriate ethical standards within the firm at all times.
• Ensure relevant CPD is maintained and recorded accurately.
• Maintain all standards of performance as required by the firm.

Other

• Assist PP in undertaking technical research and assist with collation of information for Investment Committee Meeting.
• Ensure back-office systems are kept up to date.
• Open, scan, log and allocate incoming post when needed.
• Keep up to date with all relevant product, legislative and technical changes.
• Conduct research into to all aspects of financial planning (e.g. product and platform research).
• Regularly read industry press and research material to update and increase knowledge and understanding.
• Assist your colleagues with technical enquiries and provide support when needed.

Package Details

The successful candidate will receive a basic salary of £35,000 - £40,000 Per Annum.

Other benefits include:

• Flexible / Hybrid Working available (business needs dependant)
• 12 Wellbeing Days available per annum
• 22 Days Holiday (plus Bank Holidays)
• Additional Paid Leave over Christmas
• Never Work Your Birthday!
• Quarterly Team Social
• Monthly Team Building
• £1,000 Personal Development allowance per annum
• Flexible Appointments Policy
• Cycle2Work Scheme
• Life Cover of 4 x salary
• YuLife Reward Gateway
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity
• Never Work Your Child’s Birthday!
• Paid Leave for Child School Events (up to 4 a year)

The Ideal Employee

Experience, Qualifications & Knowledge

Essential

• Cashflow planning (at least 1 year)
• Working towards Diploma.
• Excellent technical knowledge of Financial Services Products.
• Knowledge of technical financial planning tools and financial modelling software.
• Microsoft applications

Desirable

• RO4 - Pension & Retirement Planning
• RO2 - Investment Principals & Risk
• Truth Cashflow

Qualities

• Enthusiastic & Positive.
• Inclusive & Professional.
• Able to work under pressure and to a deadline.
• Passionate about paraplanning.

Skills

• Highly numerate.
• Excellent attention to detail & communication skills (verbal & written).
• Organised and able to prioritise workload.
• Methodical, analytical & disciplined.
• Technical enthusiast.
• Driven