Paraplanner

Please only apply if you have the below requirements:

• Qualified to Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning or have completed some RO exams with the CII.
• This is a full-time office-based position. We are based in Beckenham.

Essential skills required:

• The ability to produce comprehensive, accurate and clear Suitability Reports, to write reports on a wide variety of topics including Pensions, Investments, Inheritance tax, and Protection.
• Knowledge of completing and demonstrating cash flow modelling plans ahead of client meetings.
• Assist in the preparation of tax calculations where necessary from CGT calculations to top slicing calculations as and when required.
• Undertake research to identify suitable solutions to meet the client’s needs, this will involve obtaining information, quotes, illustrations and product details in order to provide comparisons for analysis.
• Discuss client objectives with Advisers and identify any shortfalls in client information and take responsibility to discuss outstanding requirements with the appropriate personnel.
• Carry out regular reviews of clients’ financial plans, circumstances and objectives.
• Deal with complex and technical client queries as and when they arise.
• Interpret new technical information, legislative and regulatory changes from various in-house and external sources and ensure the team remains compliant with FCA and internal compliance procedures.
• Experience liaising with third party providers to acquire additional information that may be required to assess the client’s needs and to assist with our recommendations.
• Experience of back office administration that relates to the paraplanning role such as updating a client’s CFR (confidential Financial Review), making sure that client files are audited and all regulatory and company requirements are met at the end of a case.
• Undertake continuous professional development to meet regulatory requirements, both internally and externally.
• Liaise with Business Assurance (SJP’s internal compliance body) and ensure cases are graded as suitable first time on all pre and post approval checks.

Required:

• Hold Level 4 diploma in Financial Planning or working towards completing the diploma in Financial Planning.
• Knowledge of research tools and software (e.g. Trustnet, Analytics, Voyant).
• Have a comprehensive understanding of Income Tax, CGT, IHT, Trusts and both DC and DB pension transfers.
• Working knowledge of CYC calculations.
• Knowledge in other areas such as protection, IHT and Tax Efficient Investments.
• Understanding of industry initiatives including RDR and Consumer duty.
• Desire to maintain knowledge of industry developments.
• Ability to prioritise workload and liaise with advisers to ensure adequate information is available to progress all cases.
• Ability to use Client and Case Management Systems in a process-driven compliant way. Learning and using our CRM is a key part of the role.
• Ability to use the Electronic Business Submission system.
• Ability to follow company and business processes.

Person Specification:

• Excellent grammar, spelling and punctuation skills.
• A high standard of personal organisational skills.
• Experience of working to targeted service standards and procedures.
• A good working knowledge of regulatory requirements.
• Evidence of continual learning and development of skills and knowledge.
• An adaptable and flexible approach to work within a changing environment.
• Experience of working unsupervised with a high level of self-motivation.
• Good IT skills covering MS Office, MS Outlook, MS Excel and back office system.
• CII Diploma in Financial Planning or Regulated Financial Planning.
• Knowledge of using CRM systems such as Salesforce.

Training and Continuous Development:

• Full training of company specific software and company compliance requirements will be provided.

Additional pay:

• Yearly bonus.

Benefits:

• Company pension.

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Beckenham: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required).

Education:

• Diploma of Higher Education (preferred).

Experience:

• Working for an IFA or St. James's Place Wealth Management: 2 years (required).
• Paraplanning: 1 year (required).
• Financial Administration: 2 years (required).

Work Location: In person.