SUMMARY:
Para Planner
POSITION INFO:
Para Planner
Cape Town, Remote.
R200 000 to R400 000 per year.
The UK-based company seeks 1 Junior and 1 Senior Para Planner to act as a key individual within the business by providing comprehensive report writing and technical analysis to enable the company to deliver compliant and accurate advice to clients, whilst playing a key role in helping to evolve the Client Journey and the Central Investment Proposition. It would be great if you have UK experience, but it is not a deal breaker.
Relevant Skills and Knowledge (not limited to)
- CII Regulated Diploma in Financial Planning (CII) as a minimum, with an expectation of obtaining Chartered Status within three years.
- A solid understanding of the Financial Planning process and the role of a paraplanner.
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of the firms ethos, principles, compliance procedures including sales and record keeping requirements.
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Ability to work within defined business processes and to achieve agreed outcomes without supervision (as assessed during training) and within agreed timescales.
- Adhere to the Client Journey at all times.
- Ability to multi-task and to prioritise and plan own workload.
- Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office packages, back office, FE Analytics and cashflow.
Client (not limited to)
- Discuss client objectives with the Adviser. Identify any shortfalls in client information and discuss with the Adviser.
- Identify holistic planning opportunities, in particular when preparing for client review meetings.
- Prepare comprehensive recommendation reports to be discussed and signed off by the adviser. Ensure recommendations detailed in reports are in line with internal guidance and procedures and are bespoke to each individual client and their circumstances and objectives.
- Focus will be upon basic reports (top ups/withdrawals/lump sums/product switch/drawdown/protection planning etc)
- Draft client communication for the advisers to send on
- Draft comprehensive review packs for existing clients and identify opportunities for further planning to be undertaken. Be prepared to challenge advice previously provided.
- Review client files to ensure they meet internal standards for quality and if necessary, raise queries directly with the adviser to carry out remedial action.
- Ensure appropriate data is accurately recorded on the back-office system(s), appropriate file notes are kept and key compliance documents are in place for each client.
- Undertake research to identify suitable solutions to meet clients needs and use own initiative. Fully understand all aspects of the firms Central Investment Proposition.
- Fully utilise Voyant and FE Analytics to identify both shortfalls and planning opportunities.
- Planning ahead for meeting preparation with exceptional diary management
- Compile forensic review packs inc cashflow modelling
Operational (not limited to)
· Draft communication for advisers to send on as needed
· Assist HoTR with the betterment of the paraplanning function
· Assist HoTR with building and maintaining relationships with provider representatives.
· Keep abreast of market offerings and ensure you are aware of and understand and compliance or regulatory changes ahead.
· Member of the Investment Committee (as required by HoTR)
- Provide assistance with quarterly review meeting preparation and assist HoT&R with due diligence reviews on all aspects of the CIP.
· Continuing professional development through exams and seminars
· Maintain appropriate CPD
· Constantly strive to improve efficiencies in all areas of the business share your ideas
· Use your own initiative e.g. do not wait to be asked to attend any meetings or seminars that you feel will assist you in performing your role or the business
Research (not limited to)
Work together with the paraplanning team on any of the following projects, as advised and managed by the Head of Technical and Research:
· Annual in-house reviews for example platforms, pensions, DFMs and risk
· Quarterly DFM review meetings
· Manage the central investment proposition
· Building and maintaining relationships with provider representatives
· Understanding of discretionary fund management propositions, their differences and research facilities
· Through networking, reading, meetings and seminars constantly keep abreast of market offerings
· Identifying new providers or products and fully investigating the offering before launching to the firm
· Using your own initiative to arranging meetings as necessary with providers of new or existing offerings
· Identifying new or improved software packages that may improve efficiencies
· Review and understand any compliance or regulatory changes ahead
· Fully utilise cashflow software to identify shortfalls and planning opportunities.
· Use of FE Analytics in planning
· Researching and running the in-house portfolios for smaller clients who are not invested with a DFM
· Consideration of trust positions for clients
Personality
- Self-driven, results-oriented with a positive outlook
- Have the confidence to challenge other members of the team in relation to both client work and existing processes in place and share your ideas.
- Mature, credible and comfortable in dealing with both clients and other members of the team.
- Reliable, tolerant and determined to ensure good outcomes for clients.
- Able to get on with others and be a team-player.
