San Luis Obispo (Hybrid)

EP Wealth Advisors•Walnut Creek, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Financial Planning Associate works closely with advisors to create, update, analyze, and deliver tailored financial plans to clients within the region. The role focuses on developing and maintaining client relationships, overseeing financial planning processes, and contributing to the firm’s service offerings. The associate works with advisors on clients with $1 million to $2 million in assets under management and consults the Financial Planning Manager on clients with $2 million or more and more complex plans. The associate leads the development of customized plans covering areas such as tax, retirement, estate, and investment planning; reviews client data; presents plans; and supports implementation and progress tracking. The role also manages planning workflows and deliverables, supports team process improvements, mentors interns with the Financial Planning Manager, maintains client documents and website connections, and contributes to mergers and acquisitions integration, research, training, legislative awareness, software improvements, and the development of regional service offerings. The position is based in the Walnut Creek, Alamo, or San Luis Obispo region and is hybrid. EP Wealth Advisors describes an inclusive environment with opportunities for associates to learn, grow, and develop professionally.

Requirements

0–2 years of experience in financial services or a related field.
Bachelor’s degree.
Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation or coursework in progress toward meeting the CFP experience requirement; if not holding the CFP designation, complete the Series 65 exam within 90 days of joining.
Strong ability to build and maintain long-term client relationships and provide tailored financial advice.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly present complex financial strategies.
Ability to collaborate and build relationships effectively within a team.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks and deadlines with minimal supervision.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy in financial planning processes and documents.
Ability to solve problems quickly and effectively to support client satisfaction and smooth workflows.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency with financial planning software, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Office Suite, Tamarac, eMoney, Money Guide Pro, Social Security Analyzer, Advisys, Zilculator, Holistiplan, Planner CS, or Monday.com.
Ability to learn and adapt to new systems and software.

Responsibilities

Work with advisors to develop comprehensive financial plans for clients with $1 million to $2 million in assets under management, and consult the Financial Planning Manager on clients with $2 million or more and more complex plans.
Create customized financial plans covering tax, retirement, estate, investment, and other planning needs.
Review client data, present plans, prepare action plans based on recommendations, help implement strategies, and track progress.
Manage the financial planning process, including reviewing gathered data, entering plan information, creating assumptions, generating scenarios, conducting internal reviews, and preparing for client meetings.
Ensure financial planning deliverables are accurate and timely.
Collaborate with team members and departments to improve systems, workflows, and processes that support client satisfaction and service excellence.
Assist the Financial Planning Manager in mentoring Financial Planning Interns and guiding them in planning processes and firm culture.
Organize and maintain client documents, upload them to appropriate systems and databases, and maintain and troubleshoot connections for client personal financial websites.
Support mergers and acquisitions efforts, including staff training and integration, in collaboration with financial planning leadership.
Research financial trends, optimization opportunities, and market changes to keep the firm’s offerings competitive and current.
Participate in onboarding, bi-weekly department training, monthly continuing education opportunities, and dedicated professional development time.
Monitor legislative changes, such as SECURE Act 2.0, and educate the firm on potential impacts.
Evaluate and implement updates to financial planning tools and software.
Participate in developing new service offerings tailored to the regional client base.