Paraplanner

My client is a medium-sized Independent Financial Adviser practice authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Based in North London, the company offers a wide-ranging service to clients in both the individual and corporate markets. The company has built up a strong reputation for imaginative solutions, exemplary service and true professionalism in a complex market. Their clients range from high-net-worth individuals to companies employing up to 5000 people.

The role of a Paraplanner is to support one or more Financial Adviser/s with the advice process in a compliant and efficient manner. This involves:

• Managing tasks and the advice process on X-Plan.
• Conducting regular meetings with the Adviser in order to:-

• • manage new business leads;
  • keep abreast of the Adviser’s(s) new business pipeline, their targets and how they are doing against targets;
  • receive and manage client meeting notes.

• Undertaking research into the various different financial wrappers that can be held by a client; understanding which products are suitable for which clients and also the advantages and disadvantages of each product.
• Writing client suitability reports using the company’s preferred report writing software in the following areas:-

• • protection;
  • new pensions;
  • pension switches;
  • self-invested personal pensions;
  • retirement options;
  • investments, including ISAs, investment bonds, OEICs, structured products.

• Keeping abreast of current pension and tax legislation and being able to apply this to client scenarios to meet objectives and ensure best advice is given.
• Understanding and suitably applying the company’s investment process and various investment offerings to meet a client’s attitude to risk, personal circumstances and financial objectives.
• Understanding and using the company’s software to support the advice process, including:-

• • Genovo
  • SelectaPension
  • Dynamic Planner
  • X-Plan
  • Iress
  • Voyant

• Develop a working knowledge of insurance providers websites/online client platforms to assist with:-

• • printing the correct documentation to support business sign ups;
  • performing online fund switches;
  • managing client data.
• Working with the Adviser(s) to prepare for client meetings and assisting with regular client reviews (the review process).
• Supporting the Adviser(s), as and when appropriate, in building cashflow models to assist the client in overseeing their financial positon and forecast future financial scenarios.
• Managing fund switches on client pensions and investments. Communicating with clients and ensuring they are invested in line with their risk profile and placing fund switches.
• Communicating with clients, assessing any tax implications and placing withdrawals. Dealing with withdrawals from pensions and investments in general.
• Preparing new business cases for Compliance sign-off.
• Working with the Compliance and Operational Support departments to ensure the successful submission and completion of new business applications.
• Building relationships with clients both over the telephone and via email.
• Attending client meetings with the Adviser, if required.

Experience Required:

• Diploma Qualified (or close to)
• Experience in research and analysis
• Suitability report production
• Minimum 1 year Paraplanning experience
• Xplan experience is desirable but not essential