My client are a boutique Wealth Management firm. As they are independent, this allows them to provide objective advice that is aligned to a client's best interests, delivered by teams steeped in financial services knowledge and experience. They have built their Company on integrity and trust, because doing what is right for their clients is best for their business.
They have been awarded Corporate Chartered status by the Chartered Insurance Institute – the industry gold standard for financial planners evidencing ethical practice, professional, competent and knowledgeable advice, and a commitment to providing service and support of the highest quality.
They now have an opportunity for a T&C Supervisor to join their business. This role is responsible for the supervision of a key number of the firm's adviser community. The role works alongside the other T&C supervisors and the wider T&C function, contributing to the progressive development of T&C across the firm. The role focuses on primarily on adviser supervision and a range of other compliance duties as required, all in the context of putting the interests of the client first.
Adviser Supervision
Lead on the supervision of a proportion of the authorised adviser community, as agreed with the Head of T&C. For the advisers that you supervise this element of the role includes, but is not limited to:
- Build trusted relationships with advisers and other relevant members of the team
- Provide ongoing assessment of adviser competence in line with the T&C requirements
- Conduct adviser risk assessments, typically twice per year, and ensure that the level and frequency of supervision touch points reflect the level of risk identified
- Conduct one-to-one meetings with advisers in accordance with the adviser's risk profile
- Agree, record and progress development plans with advisers
- Oversee and conduct observed visits across all advice areas, ensuring competence in all areas, determining the suitability of the advice given and highlighting areas for development (these may be carried out via Zoom or equivalent virtual environment or face-to-face)
- Be a key point of contact for advisers requiring support in how they deliver advice within the framework
- Review and address any issues around CPD activity and record keeping with the relevant individual, highlighting concerns to your line manager and/or Risk & Audit team where appropriate
- Ensure advisers have a valid Statement of Professional Standing in place and that they renew it in a timely manner
- Conduct Fit & Proper assessments for each adviser
- Certificate advisers at least annually on or before the due date ensuring that the degree of authorisation and any restrictions, be they permanent or temporary, are communicated to the adviser clearly and in a timely manner
- Amend certification as and when required either by adding, restricting or withdrawing authorisation e.g. when competency has been achieved or non-competence has been identified
- Maintain appropriate records in relation to T&C supervision, as agreed with the team
- Identify and communicate risks in relation to these activities to the wider team
- Monitor and encourage adviser completion of periodic suitability reviews, reporting to the Chief Operations Officer where an issue has been identified.
Additional responsibilities
- Responsible for delivery of projects as identified with the Chief Operating Officer e.g. regulatory projects etc.
- If/Where necessary, support the file check process
- Support the training and development of new staff during induction and training phases to ensure they are delivering processes in line with company expectations.
- Help to ensure that non-advising approved persons are competent for the roles they undertake
- Help to identify common development needs and risks across the business, particularly in relation to the delivery of T&C.
- Arrange and/or assist with the arrangement of support and training for colleagues where a need has been identified.
- Develop relationships within the business and provide T&C related advice where needed
- Contribute to the continuous development of the T&C scheme.
Other duties
- Ensure that your own Fit and Proper declaration and any supporting documentation in relation to your Certification as a Supervisor is completed in a full and timely manner
- Record and notify the relevant people including the Chief Operating Officer or Compliance & Legal Director if you become aware of an FCA Conduct Rules breach
- Record and notify the Chief Operating Officer / Compliance & Legal Director if you become aware of a General Data Protection breach
- Highlight and report any relevant client feedback to the Chief Operating Officer or Risk & Audit team (where appropriate) and take appropriate follow up action where identified
- Balance commercial needs with the conscious awareness of risk management, ensuring that the wider team is kept informed of all emerging risks
- Coordinate with other relevant departments and people across the business where appropriate, in order to fulfil the above elements of your role e.g. Head of Wealth Planning, HR.
Regulatory responsibilities and Continuous Personal Development (CPD)
- Comply with all regulatory rules set out in the FCA Handbook
- Comply with all relevant Policies and Procedures of the firm
- Ensure appropriate ethical standards exist and are upheld
- Be aware of regulatory change as it impacts T&C, ensuring that changes are implemented with support from the Chief Operating Officer and Risk & Audit team
- Ensure that your own annual CPD meets development needs and the minimum requirements set out by your Recognised Professional Body and the FCA, recording on the firms' CPD platform of choice
- Be prepared to work out of normal hours as required, particularly in relation to critical business situations.