The Company: A highly ambitious and fiercely independent Financial Planning firm who are looking to  bring in a Qualified Paraplanner to work closely with their Financial Planners; with the main focus of the role being the competent production of suitability reports and providing strong technical support across a portfolio of clients. Alongside the core Paraplanning responsibilities, there is also the opportunity to work closely with the Investment Committee, gain wider exposure to research and compliance activity and, for the right individual, develop towards a Financial Planner role in the future. The role/remit here will suit someone who is technically minded, organised and looking to build a long-term career within financial planning.

• Office Location: Wakefield
• Working Setup: Hybrid – 50:50 split across office and WFH
• Hours: Full-time

Salary/Package: £38-42k base + bonus/benefits

• Key Benefits: 5% pension, 4xDIS, Westfield Health cover plus wider flexible company benefits
• Holidays: 25-days + stats

The Role: Reporting into the Paraplanning Supervisor, the successful individual will work alongside nominated Financial Planner(s), taking responsibility for preparing client files, carrying out research and producing accurate and compliant suitability reports. There is a varied technical remit to the role, with exposure across pensions, investments, taxation, cashflow planning and wider financial planning requirements. Key responsibilities will include:

• Prepare and maintain client files, ensuring all required compliance documentation and supporting information is in place
• Review client risk profiles and ensure these are appropriately reflected within the client file
• Review Fact Finds and ensure client circumstances, objectives and financial planning needs are adequately documented
• Identify and obtain the information required to support financial cashflow analysis
• Review existing portfolios and arrangements, considering asset allocation, risk, charges, performance, taxation and overall suitability
• Carry out technical and product research independently and alongside the Financial Planner
• Liaise with providers to obtain plan, policy and investment information required to formulate advice
• Prepare comparisons and supporting analysis for review by the Financial Planner
• Consider relevant tax and legal implications when researching and preparing advice
• Produce draft suitability reports in line with agreed recommendations for Financial Planner review and sign-off
• Ensure all supporting research, documentation and records meet FCA and internal compliance requirements
• Complete annual suitability review letters accurately and within agreed timescales
• Carry out ad-hoc research on withdrawals and other client queries to assess suitability
• Assist the Paraplanning Supervisor and Investment Committee with maintaining the firm’s central research and investment proposition
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of regulatory, tax and wider financial services developments

The Person: The ideal candidate will have experience within an IFA, financial planning or wealth management environment and be close to, or have achieved, the QCF Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning. CII qualifications would be preferred but are not essential. Strong technical knowledge across pensions and investments, together with an understanding of suitability report writing and financial planning processes, would be advantageous.

This is a good opportunity for someone who wants to develop beyond pure Paraplanning. As well as building their technical report writing and research experience, there is scope to gain exposure to the Investment Committee, wider compliance activity and, longer term, potentially progress towards a Financial Planner position.

What next? Follow the link attached to apply via CV submittal. Further questions? Feel free to get in touch directly on the details below: Chris – 07891479277 | chris@cb3associates.co.uk