Investment Associate

Northwestern Mutual•Baxter, MN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Cowell Financial is an established, comprehensive financial advisory firm located in the beautiful Brainerd Lakes Area. They deliver thoughtful, personalized financial planning and investment management to help clients achieve clarity and long-term financial security. The firm is seeking an Investment Associate who is passionate about financial planning, enjoys analytical work, and wants to grow their career in a collaborative, client-first environment. The Investment Associate will play a central role in implementing Cowell Financial’s planning and wealth philosophies, participating in investment committee meetings, managing investment operations, and delivering high-quality portfolio analysis and client-focused recommendations. This role blends technical investment work with client-service responsibilities and offers strong opportunities for professional development and advancement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
SIE, Series 6, and 63 licensed, or equivalent
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook and Word
Excellent quantitative skills (time value of money, financial calculator, portfolio analytics)
Strong analytic, research, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities to deadlines
Effective active listening and communication skills
Commitment to client-first ethics, confidentiality and compliance
Passion for investments and a demonstrated thirst for ongoing professional development

Nice To Haves

CFA designation or desire to acquire

Responsibilities

Implement and uphold Cowell Financial’s planning and wealth management philosophies across client accounts
Participate actively in investment committee meetings and help translate committee decisions into client actions
Perform asset allocation, asset location, and time-weighted asset allocation analysis
Implement proactive rebalancing, tax-loss/gain harvesting, Roth conversions, charitable giving strategies, and strategic distribution planning
Prepare and execute retirement distribution plans, RMDs, cash reserve strategies, and other retirement-focused initiatives
Monitor share classes (A, B, C, institutional), annuities, advisory pricing, LOI/breakpoints and CDSC
Maintain awareness of and optimize expenses across client portfolios, including whole-family aggregated advisory pricing and SIMPLE IRA breakpoints
Maintain entity tax-type and SIMPLE IRA eligibility requirements
Provide general 401(k) allocation observations per service models and client need
Assist with in-service distributions, reminders for automatic rebalancing of employer plans, and coordination with TPAs
Maintain up-to-date Plan Highlights documentation and ensure retirement account deposits ahead of tax filing deadlines
Place trades, log checks/orders, execute ACHs and wires, and manage account operational tasks across advisory, brokerage, variable annuities, SMAs and Private Client Services
Monitor annual advisory account review requirements, items for attention/alerts and other operational exceptions
Analyze client financial situations and portfolios to develop and implement comprehensive recommendations aligned with client goals
Emphasize confidentiality, compliance and exceptional client service in all interactions
Work independently and collaboratively, delegate where appropriate, and manage multiple complex assignments efficiently and accurately
Maintain up-to-date investment industry and Northwestern Mutual knowledge
Participate actively in firm learning opportunities: meetings, schools, conferences, webinars and professional designation programs