Paraplanner/Junior Adviser, Birmingham (BW-1543)

New opportunity at this directly authorised Financial Planning firm in Birmingham that delivers tailored and holistic advice to corporate and private individuals.

The company has its own in-house discretionary investment proposition too. Offices are based in the Midlands and London and the firm continues to expand and go from strength to strength.

You will have a professional, positive mindset and a desire to develop your career within Financial Planning. The role has a wide and varied range of responsibilities and whilst in the early stages this is a support role, there is natural progression within the role whereby you will be able to take on the servicing and development of some of the clients in an advisory capacity and so full Level 4 Diploma is required from outset.

Role purpose and overview

A senior support role assisting the advisers by helping them become as productive as possible, through the undertaking, delegating and co-ordination of all administrative and para-planning duties.

You will help to ensure the delivery of a quality and timely service to their clients and the smooth acquisition of new clients

Relevant Skills and Knowledge      

• Understanding how a case is properly packaged for easy new business processing
• Be able to put together a review agenda and pack, including valuation report
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of the firm’s administration and client service requirements and who does what within the business
• Understanding of the sales process and provision of advice to clients in a compliant manner as detailed in the firm’s compliance manual and procedures
• Be able to undertake product research
• Be able to produce suitability reports
• Have a working knowledge of Voyant
• Good inter-personal skills to instil client confidence be it over the phone or face to face in joint meetings
• Organisational skills – to be able to monitor and manage own workloads as well as workflows between the adviser and the centralised services
• Strong understanding of how to maximise the use, efficiencies, and other benefits from the Back Office System
• Excellent technical knowledge required including Level 4 Diploma
• Have good knowledge of platform and non-platform-based investment and pension products including SIPPs and SSASs
• Have working knowledge of submission of on-line applications and processing of “paper based” applications for life, investment, and pensions business

Core Values / Competencies

• Team player
• Inter-personal skills
• Discipline – diligent and efficient, stick to processes
• Drive & Initiative
• Integrity
• Business Acumen – commercial awareness

General Responsibilities

Comply with the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the relevant FCA rules at all times

Comply with the relevant compliance, TCF, T&C, financial crime (anti-money laundering, data security, anti-bribery, fraud, and corruption) procedures of the firm at all times

Keep up to date with all relevant product, legislative and technical changes, as required

Always follow appropriate ethical standards within the firm

Specific Tasks / Responsibilities

Ensure all dealings with customers are carried out in a professional and courteous manner, to include:

• Undertake product and market research
• Ensure all supporting documentation is maintained as per company procedures
• Maintain all standards of performance as required by the firm
• Ensure relevant CPD is maintained and recorded accurately
• Receiving instructions during debriefings from Lead Consultant, Senior or Servicing Adviser following client meetings and following through with them as agreed
• Interpreting data obtained by Consultant/Advisers during client meetings
• Analysing data and using research tools to provide solutions to meet client needs and objectives
• Providing records to support research undertaken
• Consolidation of client needs and objectives, together with the recommendations and course of action in a written format via a draft suitability letter, client specific illustration/ key feature document and forms/ information required for sign up as directed by the Consultant/ Adviser
• Maintain contact with Light Touch clients and identify any needs or business opportunities discovered
• Oversee delivery of on-going service and prepare files for clients
• Make appointments for Consultant/ Advisers, as directed
• Liaise with Paraplanning to explain requirements and track delivery of reports
• Liaise with New Business / Existing Business teams to handover packaged cases and sort out any further requirements
• Ensuring all client files are compliant on an ongoing basis
• Produce ad-hoc (non-standard) and standard letters in response to customer/provider queries
• Check client valuations and summaries as required by the Consultant/ Advisers
• Within a year be able to process Elevation Estate Planning cases
• Produce initial cash-flow plans from Voyant and update them for client reviews
• Running comprehensive diary and notes system for each piece of business whether it is new business, increments or any policy variations
• Undertake project / client work as directed by the Consultant/Adviser/ Administration Manager / Managing Director/ Practice & Compliance Direct