Our client is a very well respected and established firm of IFA’s based in Wilmslow, Cheshire, they are currently recruiting for an experienced Paraplanner to join their team.
Their technical/ paraplanning team complete all research, cashflow analysis and reports in-house. With the exception of O&M and FE Analytics, they manually complete research and analysis, with this in mind they are looking for a Paraplanner who has an excellent working knowledge of Excel for cashflow purposes.
It is very much a technical team, working with advisors who have high net worth clients and thus the requirement for full and complex financial planning. They also work on DB analysis, again, completing the FVC and APTA analysis in-house.
A Paraplanner is regarded to be a highly technical and qualified individual who can offer skills in addition to those of the Advisor to provide the client with a positive professional experience.
The Paraplanner role requires the individual to work closely with the Advisors to provide support to them and their clients.
The Paraplanner will work as an integral part of the administration team and will report into the Paraplannning Manager as well as the Office Manager.
Scope of work – Pensions, Investments, Protection & Trusts/Estate Planning
The role of the Paraplanner can be broken down into key parts:
Assisting in the preparation and maintenance of client records
Preparing recommendations
Preparing Annual Reviews
Assisting in the preparation and maintenance of central research systems, procedures and appropriate wording/appendices for suitability reports
Preparing and maintaining the client records
Understanding of risk profiles, investment risk
Discuss client objectives with the Advisor
Identify missing client information pertinent to formulating recommendations
Attendance at client meetings, if required
Maintain compliant client records electronically and on back office system.
Be responsible for ensuring that all compliance procedures are adhered to; liaise with other team members that carry out the non-technical administration
Completion of internal compliance forms
Store all research, reports and letters within the central location
Prepare recommendations in line with Advisory Standards, Advice Policy & Guidance
Ability to understand and identify client shortfalls in financial arrangements and areas that require financial planning
Undertake research to identify suitable solutions to meet client needs
Prepare information / comparisons for analysis by the advisor
Ability to consider current and future asset allocation of assets for investment strategy with regard to client’s risk profile in line with mandates
Research of investment funds where necessary as well as financial products
Use of research systems such as O&M, FE Analytics
Document recommendations through preparation of Suitability Reports and Letters.
Request Illustrations from providers, obtaining fund factsheets, research.
Arrange provider meetings, if required and agreed with Office Manager.
Completion of recommendation templates, i.e. replacement contract forms etc.
Review
Preparation of Investment Review and Annual Review Reports
Preparing and maintaining central research systems and procedures and standard template suitability reports
Construct and maintain a central bank of research procedures such as Structured Product & WRAP Platform research in line with compliance guidelines
Construct and maintain information relating to Investment Management across all products and wrappers for both in front of client and in-house purposes
Construct and maintain centralised standard wording/report inserts/appendices for Suitability Reports and structures for use for all advisory and technical staff
Qualifications/Attributes
Hold diploma
Providing technical support to administration team members and Advisors
Maintenance of technical and industry knowledge and adherence to Paraplanning T&C Scheme.
Attendance and participation at management, compliance, provider meetings, as and when required.
Involvement in projects
Must have strong organisational skills and the ability to multi-task.
Must be able to demonstrate efficient and accurate working practises at the highest level with attention to detail and technical knowledge.
Must ensure that individually and as a firm “Treat Customers Fairly.”
General
Ensure good time management at all times
Adhere to the company rules and regulations and professional body requirements
Make viable recommendations to improve the performance of the job
Complete any other duty delegated by the Paraplanning and Office Managers
Key Skills
Communication
Planning/Organising Skills
Teamwork
Ability to work unsupervised
Initiative/diplomacy
Flexibility
Telephone Skills
Excellent IT Skills in Word and Excel
Product Knowledge
Compliance Knowledge