Job Title: Paraplanner
Job Type: Full-time
Location: Reading (Caversham)
Salary: Between £30,000- £35,000 depending on experience
Job Description:
We're seeking an experienced Paraplanner to join our friendly and supportive team. In this role, you'll play a vital part in assisting our employed Advisors. Your expertise in paraplanning is essential for success. This position will initially be fully remote, transitioning to a hybrid model in Spring 2025, with the opportunity to work in our newly refurbished office in Reading. You will be responsible for carrying out high quality research on a full range of financial planning products in line with company's advice process and compliance framework and drafting detailed reports supporting specific product recommendations.
A strong working knowledge of pre and post-retirement planning (including pension transfers), investments and taxation is key to this role.
Responsibilities:
- Conducting high quality research on a full range of financial planning products
- Drafting detailed reports to support specific product recommendations
- Liaising with product providers and staying updated on new products and developments
- Ensuring compliance with the company's advice process and framework
- Collaborating effectively with the centralised team and advisors
- Obtaining information on a client's existing financial arrangements and conducting a gap analysis
- Producing a suitability report and making high level recommendations in line with the clients' objectives where required
- Researching the market in line with guidelines from the Adviser, using the client's circumstances and objectives for product and service solutions and preparing personalised high-quality reports that are clear and written in plain English, including any compliance requirements
- Communication with the relevant Adviser throughout this process is of paramount importance.
Experience and Qualifications:
- Previous experience in paraplanning is essential; knowledge of retail investment products and platforms is a must
- Strong organisational and prioritising skills, with the ability to work under pressure
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to influence at all levels
- Highly numerate and analytical, with self-motivation and initiative
- Team player with a solutions-oriented mindset
- Ability to think outside the box
- Strong PC skills with good knowledge of Office 365 including Word, Excel and Outlook
- Ability to balance commercial needs with compliance requirements.
Desirable:
- Working towards or achievement of Paraplanning qualification and/or Level 4 Diploma
- Knowledge of research tools & software (e.g. cashflow models and FEAnalytics)
- Knowledge in other areas such as protection, IHT planning and structured products
- Understanding of industry initiatives including Consumer Duty & TCF
- Able to assist with training and coaching of junior members of staff
- Desire to maintain knowledge of industry development
- Able to identify process improvements.
Key Skills and Personal Attributes:
- A positive, friendly, service orientated person with a "cando" attitude who is aware of the important role played by advisers in providing financial advice
- Honesty, integrity and ability to maintain confidence and confidentiality are key attributes. Hard working and responsive to the need to deliver a high-quality support
- You must have the ability to balance commercial needs with compliance requirements and be able to identify sales opportunities or flag any concerns.
Benefits:
- Flexible working arrangements
- Supportive team environment
- Company pension scheme
- Company events.
If you're ready to make a real impact in a dynamic team, we'd love to hear from you!