Chartered Financial Planner - Esher

We are currently recruiting for a well-established Chartered Financial Planning practice in Esher who are looking to recruit a Chartered Financial Planner to service their clients. This is an office based role where clients will come into the office.

Overview of role

Playing a key role in supporting the firm to achieve its business goals alongside the existing Chartered Financial Planners, this individual will be expected to take on responsibility for the servicing of an allocated number of existing and in some cases longstanding clients.

An office based role for someone who wants to establish and then build on their position as a key member of the client team. Client meetings usually office based (video during pandemic). Main focus will initially be the delivery of high quality ongoing holistic financial planning and wealth management services to existing clients without the pressure of specific sales targets or the need to bring / develop a personal client bank.

Maintenance and servicing of an existing client bank, although where appropriate the individual should identify and develop business opportunities with these clients.

A key team player role - Oversight of Account Managers on client work and delivery and helping the wider team out where necessary or needed.

Suitable for someone who is professional, knowledgeable and sees value and importance in the financial planning process and who is seeking a role that is delivery, advice and quality focused rather than a sales position.

Responsibilities

Providing advice to clients as part of the management of ongoing service reviews in line with the scope of the company's ongoing client service proposition (Wealth Management Service and Investment Management Service), including all the associated activity required in line with regulatory standards.

• Preparing for and undertaking client review meetings and managing post review actions arising.
• Making sure sufficient client information is obtained before any recommendation is made.
• Undertaking appropriate product and market research, where required.
• Drafting suitability reports or leading report drafting work by the client team.
• Making sure all clients are contacted in accordance with the agreed level of services offered.
• Maintaining a high quality audit trail and ensuring all supporting documents and client records are maintained on the back office systems and electronic files.
• Constructing and managing investment portfolios as detailed in the firm’s procedures.
• Making sure sufficient client information is obtained before any decisions to trade are made.
• Making sure investment decisions made are consistent with the stated objectives and constraints of the client / portfolio as appropriate.
• Making sure portfolios are set up and reviewed and that advice is made to rebalance these in accordance with the client’s risk mandate, objectives and PMW’s house view and buy list.
• Maintaining all standards of performance as required
• Making sure clients receive relevant documentation in a timely way.
• Making sure agreed action is carried through post client agreement and that trades are placed through the dealing function.
• Liaising with the Client Team and specific Account Managers as appropriate and taking responsibility for all advice and review communications with clients
• Obtaining and maintaining the level of competence as required.
• Making sure a current statement of professional standing (SPS) is held at all times.
• Staying up to date and ensuring that relevant CPD is maintained and recorded accurately.

Relevant experience, skills and knowledge

We expect an individual performing this role to have a focus on and the following key work areas against which all our staff are assessed:
Conduct, Professionalism, Productivity, Team Work and Accuracy
The individual should also be / have the following skills:

• Excellent technical skills with the ability to put these into practice and adapt / devise solutions according to client needs
• Quick thinking with the ability to take his / her own initiative
• A team worker who is willing to help others
• Good time management and planning skills
• Flexible and reliable
• Be used to putting clients first

Additionally, knowledge and understanding of the high level standards expected by the FCA - in particular the Principles for Business, The Conduct Rules applicable to the role (COCON), Fit and Proper test for Employees and Senior Personal (FIT), Training and Competence (TC) and Business Standards (COBS / ICOBS).

An appropriate level of understanding and knowledge / awareness of other legislation relevant to the role such as:

Data Protection / Security, the FCA’s money laundering requirements, Joint Money Laundering Steering Group (JMLSG) Guidance and other relevant financial crime legislation.

Have the following general skills:

• Having a positive culture attitude at all times
• Good written / oral communication skills
• The ability to take on and understand the environment we operate in and the issues this raises
• General IT skills, word, excel and familiarity
• Ability to compile / draft meeting minutes, file notes, suitability reports, letters, etc

Qualification requirements

• Qualified to and operating at Chartered Financial Planner level.
• A number of years experiencing in providing advice and ongoing services to retail clients.
• Holding an active Statement of Professional Standing (SPS).
• Be currently certified by their employer (or if currently not employed have been recently certified by their last employer).