Financial Planning Associate

Prestige Worldwide Enterprises LLC•St. Cloud, MN

2d•$45,000 - $60,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Stone Arch Advisory Group is searching for a highly motivated and organized Financial Planning Associate to join our financial planning team. This is where our advice gets built. Before an advisor ever sits down with a client, someone has to gather the data, run the analysis, pressure-test the assumptions, and turn all of it into a recommendations the client can take action on. This is an entry-level position that provides critical technical and client planning support to our financial advisors, and it is vital to our success in delivering exceptional financial guidance. You will report to the CFO/Director of Financial Planning and work alongside an exceptional team of experienced CFP® professionals who will invest in your development. We are looking for someone who is genuinely curious about the craft of planning — a person who wants to understand why a recommendation works, not just how to produce it, and who is eager to pursue the credentials to build a long-term career here.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field — or equivalent experience.
Minnesota Life, Accident & Health license — or the ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
FINRA SIE, Series 7 and 63 — or the ability to obtain within 6-9 months of hire.
Desire and capacity to further financial education and pursue credentials (for example, CFP®, RICP®).
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and financial planning software, with a willingness to embrace innovation and adopt AI-enabled tools and technologies.
Strong attention to detail with the ability to work with a high degree of accuracy and autonomy.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated organizational skills, ability to multitask, and time management skills with the ability to set priorities and meet deadlines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong work ethic and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Collaborative colleague and practical problem-solver.
Professional and polished demeanor.

Responsibilities

Create, modify, and monitor comprehensive financial plans for clients and prospects.
Use the financial planning analysis to develop personal recommendations, including insurance (life, disability, long-term care), asset accumulation and distribution strategies, asset allocation analysis, and tax planning strategies.
Pressure-test assumptions and identify gaps or inconsistencies in a plan before it reaches the advisor.
Host weekly case prep meetings with advisors to prepare them for the client meeting content for the week.
Clearly communicate planning recommendations and the reasoning behind them to all parties.
Prepare for client meetings by gathering financial information, analyzing data, and creating a concise agenda to ensure a productive meeting.
Follow through on post-meeting planning items so nothing is left open between the advisor and the client.
Develop and maintain a working understanding of life, disability, annuity, and long-term care products available through Northwestern Mutual and the outside brokerage firms Stone Arch utilizes.
Stay current on tax law, retirement rules, and planning software changes that affect our recommendations.
Pursue continuing financial education and credentials (for example, CFP® or RICP®) with firm support.
Support the firm in maintaining and applying our planning philosophies consistently across advisors and clients.
Identify inefficiencies or bottlenecks in the planning workflow and bring forward practical improvements that make the work more scalable.
Participate in and contribute to team and firmwide meetings.
Maintain a positive, professional, and team-focused attitude while working internally with team members and externally with clients.
Maintain confidentiality in all client matters.