Paraplanner / Financial Planning Associate

Job Description Job Description

Employment: Full-time, approximately 40 hours/week FLSA: Non-exempt Schedule: Monday-Friday

Target start: January 2027

An established private financial planning practice in Portsmouth, Ohio, is seeking a capable, service-minded Paraplanner / Financial Planning Associate to support the lead advisor and contribute across a collaborative advisory team. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys turning client information into organized planning work, following through on service needs, and helping a busy practice operate smoothly.

The position combines financial-planning preparation with client service and day-to-day operational support. Responsibilities may include gathering and updating client information, preparing planning analyses and meeting materials, completing follow-up, processing account activity, maintaining accurate records, and - for an appropriately registered team member - supporting or executing trades within assigned authority and supervisory procedures.

Active securities registrations and applicable life and health insurance licenses are strongly preferred. The practice will also consider an exceptional unlicensed candidate who brings relevant experience, demonstrates the ability to learn the role, and is willing and able to obtain the required registrations and licenses within an agreed timeframe. The practice is planning for a January 2027 start and will provide structured onboarding and training.

What You Will Do

Gather, organize, and update client financial information for advisor review and planning analysis

Prepare financial-planning reports, scenario comparisons, illustrations, and other supporting materials using approved tools and templates

Prepare for client meetings by assembling agendas, reports, account information, planning documents, and outstanding follow-up items

Participate in client meetings as appropriate, document decisions and next steps, and help ensure timely completion of commitments

Communicate professionally with clients regarding scheduling, information requests, paperwork, service needs, and routine status updates

Process new-account paperwork, account maintenance, money movements, applications, and other client requests accurately and promptly

Support or execute trades and transaction activity when properly registered, authorized, and acting within all supervisory procedures

Maintain complete client records, workflow tasks, notes, and documentation in the client relationship management system

Provide primary support to the lead advisor while assisting other advisors and team members as business needs require

Coordinate with the team's licensed and unlicensed paraplanners to maintain consistent service and operational coverage

Protect confidential information and follow all practice, regulatory, privacy, and data-security requirements

Contribute to general office operations and identify practical opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and the client experience

Requirements

Two or more years of experience in wealth management, financial planning, investment operations, banking, insurance, or a comparable professional client-service environment preferred

For the licensed-candidate level, active Series 7 and Series 66 registrations - or Series 7 with Series 63 and Series 65 - plus applicable life and health insurance licenses are required, subject to final jurisdictional and supervisory requirements

Unlicensed candidates must be willing and able to obtain the required securities registrations and life and health insurance licenses within an agreed timeframe after hire

Bachelor's degree in financial planning, finance, accounting, economics, business, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered

Working knowledge of financial-planning concepts, investment accounts, client-service workflows, and financial-services terminology

Experience with trading, new-account processing, money movement, financial-planning software, or client relationship management systems is highly valued

Exceptional accuracy, organization, follow-through, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

Warm, polished written and verbal communication skills and a genuine commitment to responsive client service

Sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to protect confidential personal and financial information

Comfort learning and using Microsoft 365, financial-planning software, client-management systems, document tools, and other practice technology

Ability to work independently, collaborate across a small team, accept feedback, and take ownership of assigned responsibilities

Ability to work full-time, approximately 40 hours per week, on-site in the Portsmouth office Monday-Friday

Authorization to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship

Benefits

Licensed-candidate base salary range of $60,000-$90,000, based on experience, registrations, and ability to perform the full scope of the role

Unlicensed development-candidate base salary range of $50,000-$60,000, based on experience and readiness to begin the licensing path

SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with a dollar-for-dollar employer match up to 3%; eligibility begins January 1 of the employee's second year, subject to the governing plan terms

Vacation and paid time off are negotiable based on the candidate's experience and overall employment package

Practice-paid approved licensing study materials and examination and licensing fees, along with some study time during work hours

Structured onboarding and training

Opportunity to deepen financial-planning, investment-operations, trading, and client-service experience

Long-term professional growth potential within an established advisory team

This position does not currently include employer-sponsored health insurance. The practice is willing to provide above-market compensation for an exceptional candidate.