Financial Planning Analyst

Northwestern Mutual•Edina, MN

About The Position

Itasca Wealth is an established wealth management firm that helps clients realize their financial objectives by understanding their goals and creating comprehensive strategies. The Financial Planning Analyst supports the Director of Financial Planning and advisory team by developing, analyzing, and maintaining comprehensive client financial plans. The role conducts financial analysis, prepares planning recommendations, identifies opportunities to improve client outcomes, and ensures the accuracy and quality of planning deliverables. It serves as a technical resource to advisors and contributes to sophisticated, client-centered planning solutions. The analyst evaluates client financial information across cash flow, retirement readiness, income distribution, tax planning, insurance, estate planning, and education funding. The role also develops planning scenarios and projections, conducts financial modeling and sensitivity analyses, and helps advisors translate complex planning concepts into actionable recommendations aligned with the firm’s standards and methodologies. The analyst collaborates with advisors and other team members, participates in planning discussions and case reviews, prepares client meeting materials, and coordinates with outside professionals when appropriate. Itasca Wealth Advisors is a marketing name for representatives of Northwestern Mutual and is not itself a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, insurance agency, or federal savings bank.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, accounting, business, or a related field.
3–5 years of experience in financial planning, wealth management, accounting, or financial analysis.
Working knowledge of financial planning concepts and wealth management principles.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

CFP® certification or active progress toward CFP® certification.
FINRA Series 6, 63, and 7 registrations.
Experience supporting high-net-worth individuals and families.
Familiarity with advanced tax, retirement, and estate planning concepts.

Responsibilities

Prepare and maintain comprehensive client financial plans using financial planning software.
Analyze client financial information, including cash flow, retirement readiness, income distribution strategies, tax planning, insurance coverage, estate planning, and education funding.
Develop planning scenarios and projections to evaluate the effects of financial decisions and strategies.
Conduct personal financial modeling and sensitivity analyses to support client recommendations.
Identify planning opportunities and potential risks affecting clients’ financial objectives.
Help advisors translate complex planning concepts into actionable recommendations.
Ensure recommendations align with planning standards and methodologies established by the Director of Financial Planning.
Review client plans for completeness, consistency, and accuracy before client presentations.
Update plans to reflect client life changes, market conditions, regulatory changes, and advisor recommendations.
Assist with retirement income analyses, Social Security strategies, tax-efficient withdrawal strategies, insurance reviews, estate planning coordination, and wealth transfer planning.
Collaborate with advisors to prepare planning recommendations and client meeting materials.
Participate in client strategy discussions and planning case reviews.
Research and analyze advanced planning topics, including executive compensation, concentrated stock positions, charitable giving, business succession, and tax mitigation opportunities.
Identify planning gaps and opportunities for deeper client engagement.
Attend client meetings as needed to support planning discussions and documentation.
Work with Operations Associates, Associate Lead Advisors, Lead Advisors, and other team members to implement recommendations.
Coordinate, when appropriate, with outside professionals such as CPAs, estate planning attorneys, and insurance specialists.
Support collaboration among financial planning, investment management, insurance, trust, and banking resources to provide a seamless client experience.