Financial Planning Consultant- Grand Rapids, MI

Job Summary:

Under limited supervision uses specialized knowledge and skills obtained through experience, specialized training or certification to serve as a resource to Financial Advisors and their clients regarding overall financial planning issues which may include portfolio design, income tax consulting, retirement planning, qualified retirement plans, risk management, estate planning, education funding, and small business planning.  Continuously gains knowledge of the financial industry and markets through on-going education.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Partners with Financial Advisor to review clients’ current portfolio design, understand client goals, enter client data, and conduct financial analysis.

• Evaluates overall individual and employer-based retirement needs, researches various options, and recommends planning alternatives.

• Researches and provides recommendations related to risk management concerns, including insurance.

• Designs and recommends a tailored financial analysis or comprehensive financial plan for clients and prospects that meets their short and long-term financial needs and goals.

• Prepares presentations that clearly communicate the recommendations and alternatives related to the client’s financial analysis and comprehensive plan design. 

• Performs detailed document reviews; analyzes client information and situations across the financial planning spectrum to develop plan

• Researches information as necessary on a case-by-case basis and writes customized financial plan observations and recommendations for each client case

• Prepares files for meetings with existing and new clients

• Prepares, coordinates and follows through on any needed communication with new or existing clients

• Continuously monitors clients’ financial situations with detail and accuracy, with the ability to the look at their overall financial picture

• Responds to client questions by telephone, email and occasional personal visits.

• Educates client on the functions of various securities markets and the principal factors that affect them.

• Provides guidance on estate planning options and techniques.

• Responds to and directs education funding questions including 529 savings plans.

• Assists with guidance on small business planning.

• Conducts research as needed related to assigned client cases, including but not limited to basic income tax questions and other legal issues requesting guidance when appropriate.

• May participate in client presentations.

• May open, transfer, and close customer accounts and maintain appropriate account records.

• May obtain and verify the client’s purchase and sale instructions, enter orders, and follow up on completion of transactions.

• Ensures firm and regulatory policies are followed within compliance standards

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Fundamental investment concepts, practices and procedures used in the securities industry

• Economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, investments and insurance based products.

• Concepts and regulations related to financial planning.

• Company’s working structure, policies, mission, strategies, and compliance guidelines.

• Effective verbal and written communication to deliver clear, effective, and professional presentations.

• Identifying the needs of customers through effective questioning and listening techniques

• Operating client relationship manager system and other required software applications to produce financial plans, correspondence, reports, electronic communication, spreadsheets, and databases.

• Organizational and time management sufficient to prioritize workload, handle multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.

• Detailed orientation to ensure quality standards are met wi