Paraplanner

The Progeny Group; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services firm in Cheltenham is seeking a Paraplanner to join their team. This role involves collaborating with Financial Planners to deliver bespoke financial planning solutions, preparing comprehensive suitability letters, and ensuring compliance with FCA principles. The ideal candidate will have strong technical skills, excellent writing ability, and experience in financial services. This position offers hybrid working and opportunities for career growth.

Benefits

30 days holiday plus public holidays

Private medical insurance

Group pension scheme

Life assurance

Enhanced family leave

Qualifications

• Possessing strong financial services experience and a sound understanding of financial products.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office with advanced skills in Word and Excel.
• Excellent writing skills for compiling suitability reports.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth research and analysis to identify suitable solutions.
• Prepare suitability letters and reports for client reviews and new business.
• Liaise with external providers to obtain necessary information.
• Manage documentation compliantly throughout the client advice journey.

Skills

Financial Services experience

Great tech skills

Excellent writing skills

Exemplary communication skills

Methodical and organised

Education

Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word/Excel)

Job description

Overview

The Paraplanner is an integral member of the Paraplanning Centre of Excellence in delivering outstanding client experience. Working closely with the Paraplanning team, Client Executives, and Financial Planners, you will be key to making a meaningful impact on our clients’ financial futures by assisting in the delivery of bespoke financial planning solutions.

You will be required to produce compliant, high quality, detailed suitability letters and reports. You will propose and implement recommendations, collaborating with Financial Planners to clarify goals and objectives to ensure plans are aligned with the aspirations of the client.

Possessing a client-focused mindset, you will embrace the opportunity to support client review meetings where appropriate. You will develop good rapport with clients in meetings and through other forms of communication, supporting and enhancing the overall client experience.

The role holder will have strong paraplanning experience and hold the Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning as a minimum. As a fully competent Paraplanner, you will be able to demonstrate good application of technical knowledge and skills, showcasing an ability to undertake highly technical, precise and detailed work to a consistently high standard. You will possess a sound understanding of financial products, FCA principles and regulatory standards.

This role offers a great opportunity and scope to:

• Become a technical expert in a particular specialism, with regular development conversations.
• Work towards an Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning or Chartered Status.
• Explore career paths and growth opportunities within the Paraplanning Centre of Excellence or by becoming a Financial Planner.

Location

This role will be based in our Cheltenham office. We operate hybrid working enabling home and office working, allowing you to balance your personal responsibilities and connect with your colleagues.

What you will be doing

As a Paraplanner, you will complete all paraplanning tasks with responsibility for:

• Research and analysis: conduct in-depth research and analysis to identify suitable solutions. Perform and present cashflow modelling scenarios to clients as required.
• Technical work: prepare suitability letters and reports for annual reviews and new business, prepare tax calculations and financial plans for clients.
• Liaising with providers: speak to external companies to obtain information about existing and potential investments.
• Client requirements: determine client objectives and priorities, together with understanding client attitudes to risk and capacity for loss.
• Managing documentation: prepare client files for review meetings and maintain these compliantly throughout the client advice journey.
• Compliance and regulation: follow FCA principles and regulatory standards with honesty and integrity, adhering to relevant regulations, rules and procedures that apply to your role and conduct of the business.
• Supporting the team: share expertise and best practice with Senior Client Executives and assist with complex client matters. Carry out peer reviews.
• Technical knowledge: dedicate time to meet continuous professional development requirements and maintain product and technical knowledge.

About you

To thrive and be successful in the role you will be/need:

• Financial Services experience with a sound understanding of financial products, FCA principles and regulatory standards.
• Great tech skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office (with advanced Word/Excel skills) and a good working knowledge of different provider platforms.
• Methodical and organised with the ability to work autonomously and manage your own workload effectively to produce thorough work that meets the needs of clients and colleagues.
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to compile suitability reports and other documentation clearly, accurately and concisely.
• Exemplary communication and relationship building skills with a collaborative approach to working with Financial Planners and colleagues to ensure great client service and outcomes.
• Passion for sharing knowledge and problem-solving with others, sharing best practice and coaching colleagues to support their development.

Benefits

• 30 days holiday plus public holidays
• 3 days of celebratory leave (birthday, wellbeing, volunteering, or other important events)
• Private medical insurance, 24/7 digital GP and health advice
• Employee assistance programme for mental and physical health
• Group pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Eyecare vouchers
• Enhanced family leave
• Referral scheme

About Progeny

We create, enhance, and preserve wealth. We are the first and only firm in the UK to bring together independent financial planning, asset management, tax, HR, and private and corporate legal services. We are forward-thinking and tech-driven, using technology to eliminate paperwork, improve communications, and enrich the relationship between client and adviser. At Progeny, we believe that we all have the power to make good things happen. We want to use our success as a catalyst for making real change. We created the Progeny Foundation to support local charities including Zarach. We are the proud winners of the Yorkshire Financial Awards 2024 Best Employer award for the third year running.