Senior Financial Planner - Walnut Creek/Alamo, CA

EP Wealth Advisors•Walnut Creek, CA

About The Position

The Senior Financial Planner works closely with advisors to create, update, analyze, and deliver tailored financial plans to clients in the region. The role focuses on building and maintaining strong client relationships, overseeing financial planning processes, and contributing to the firm’s service offerings. The planner works with clients with at least $2 million in assets under management and consults the Financial Planning Manager on clients with $5 million or more and more complex financial plans. The role leads the development of customized plans covering areas such as tax, retirement, estate, and investment planning; reviews client data; presents recommendations; and helps prepare and implement action plans. It also manages planning workflows and deliverables, maintains client documents and personal-finance website connections, supports team mentorship and process improvement, and collaborates on mergers and acquisitions integration and training. The Senior Financial Planner researches financial trends and legislation, evaluates planning tools and software, and helps develop regional service offerings. The role also leads client seminars and local events and works with local Centers of Influence to implement client action plans. Ongoing training and professional development are part of the position.

Requirements

Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation.
3–7 years of experience in financial services or a related field, focused on financial planning.
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 work with 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.
Ability to learn and adapt to new systems and software.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in financial planning software is preferred, including tools such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Office Suite, Tamarac, eMoney, Money Guide Pro, Social Security Analyzer, Advisys, Zilculator, Holistiplan, Planner CS, and Monday.com.
Interest in pursuing additional financial planning designations or certifications aligned with career goals and the firm’s needs.

Responsibilities

Work with advisors on clients with assets under management of $2 million or more, and consult the Financial Planning Manager on clients with $5 million or more and complex plans.
Lead the creation of detailed, customized financial plans, including tax, retirement, estate, and investment planning.
Review client data, present plans to clients, prepare action plans based on recommendations, assist with implementing strategies, and track progress.
Manage and streamline planning processes, including data collection, plan input, scenario generation, internal reviews, and preparation for client meetings; ensure deliverables are accurate and timely.
Collaborate with team members and departments to improve systems, workflows, client satisfaction, and service excellence.
Assist the Financial Planning Manager in mentoring Financial Planning Associates and Financial Planning Interns in planning processes and firm culture.
Organize and maintain client documents in appropriate systems and databases, and maintain and troubleshoot client personal financial website connections.
Collaborate with financial planning leaders and managers on mergers and acquisitions, including staff training and integration.
Research financial trends, optimization opportunities, and market changes to keep firm offerings current and competitive.
Participate in onboarding, bi-weekly department training, monthly continuing education, and dedicated professional development time.
Stay current on legislative changes, such as SECURE Act 2.0, and educate the firm about potential impacts.
Evaluate and implement updates to the team’s financial planning tools and software.
Lead or actively participate in developing service offerings tailored to the regional client base.
Lead client seminars and local events, support client strategy implementation meetings, and work with local Centers of Influence to implement client action plans.