Financial Planning Associate - Walnut Creek/Alamo/San Luis Obispo (Hybrid)
About The Position
The Financial Planning Associate works closely with advisors to create, update, analyze, and deliver tailored financial plans to clients in 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 with the Financial Planning Manager on clients with $2 million or more and more complex plans. The position supports financial plan development and review, implementation of recommendations, client meetings, process management, document organization, team collaboration, intern mentorship, mergers and acquisitions integration, ongoing financial research, professional development, legislative awareness, software improvements, and development of regional service offerings. The role is based in Walnut Creek, Alamo, or San Luis Obispo, with a hybrid work arrangement.
Requirements
- Certified Financial Planner 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 the firm.
- 0–2 years of experience in financial services or a related field.
- Bachelor’s degree.
- 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 explain complex financial strategies clearly.
- Ability to work effectively within a team and demonstrate collaboration and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks and deadlines, and require minimal supervision.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in financial planning processes and documents.
- Ability to address challenges quickly and effectively to support client satisfaction and smooth workflows.
Nice To Haves
- Proficiency in financial planning software is preferred, including tools such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Office Suite, Tamarac, eMoney, MoneyGuidePro, Social Security Analyzer, Advisys, Zilculator, Holistiplan, Planner CS, and 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 with the Financial Planning Manager on clients with $2 million or more and more complex plans.
- Create customized financial plans addressing tax, retirement, estate, investment, and other planning needs.
- Review client data, present financial plans to clients, prepare action plans based on recommendations, assist with implementation, and track progress.
- Manage the planning process, including reviewing collected data, entering plan information, creating assumptions, generating scenarios, conducting internal reviews, and preparing client meetings; ensure 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 on planning processes and firm culture.
- Organize and maintain client documents, upload them to appropriate systems and databases, and maintain and troubleshoot connections to clients’ personal financial websites.
- Collaborate with financial planning leaders on mergers and acquisitions efforts, including staff training and integration.
- Research financial trends, optimization opportunities, and market changes to keep the firm’s offerings current and competitive.
- Participate in ongoing professional development, including onboarding, bi-weekly department training, monthly continuing education, and a dedicated professional development hour.
- Monitor legislative changes, such as the SECURE Act 2.0, and educate the firm about potential impacts.
- Evaluate and implement updates to financial planning tools and software.
- Participate in developing new service offerings tailored to the regional client base.
Benefits
- 11 paid holidays and 2 floating holidays
- 3 weeks of paid time off
- Paid volunteer time
- Paid parental leave
- Flexible work schedule
- Highly subsidized health, dental, and vision plans
- 401(k) retirement account with company match contributions
- Free mental health services
- Life insurance
- Long- and short-term disability insurance
- Flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts
- Employee financial education
- Employee educational expense reimbursement
- Employee charitable donations
- Employee referral incentives
- Employee team-building activities
- Employee assistance program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
