Associate Advisor

Job Summary

The Associate Advisor is an entry-level advisory position focused on mastering client service and the implementation of the Savant Wealth Management process. The Associate Advisor is pursuing a CFP designation and gaining financial planning knowledge and skills in the role. This individual works closely with their advisory team members to provide day to day support to clients and prospects, assist in the preparation and presentation of financial plans, and prepare and manage the follow-up of client meetings.


Duties and Responsibilities

Associate Advisors are required obtain a Series 65 license preferably within 3 months and no later than 6 months of entering the position. In addition, they must earn their CFP, or other approved designation, within three (3) years to progress to an Advisor I.

• Master "The Savant Way" best practices related to our client experience and Ideal Futures Process.
• Helps support the Lead or Co-Advisor during the client onboarding process.
• Captures, organizes, and audits client data and net worth statement (Ideal Futures Profile) to support Advisors and the Wealth Strategy team in providing comprehensive and proactive advice.
• Supports Lead Advisor and Co-Advisor with financial planning software and data input.
• Participates in client meetings to support advisors with meeting preparation, notes, and task follow-up.
• Coordinates workflow and case work with tax, wealth transfer and planning specialists on behalf of the Lead or Co-Advisor
• Complete advisory self-perform planning projects and simple planning cases independently.
• Support Wealth Strategy Team on completion of more complex cases on clients they are assigned and/or other work assigned to them on other clients.
• Research planning and tax matters on behalf of the Lead and Co-Advisors.
• Gradually increases speaking roles in client meetings on specific financial plan and investment topics as experience increases.
• Builds relationship with Advisors and clients to position themselves to eventually assume a Co-Advisor role when they are promoted to an Advisor I.
• Maintains and updates client's Ideal Futures Profile to support Advisors and the Wealth Strategy Team.
• Completes the Advisor Training Program, including tax, planning and wealth transfer team support.
• Build strong technical knowledge of portfolio management, rebalancing, trading, and creating and interpreting various client reports.
• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity, actively building knowledge of financial markets and the Savant investment philosophy. Begin to address client questions regarding their investment portfolio and/or performance.

Core Competencies

• Client first attitude. Strong customer service skills - is passionate about meeting the needs and requirements of clients.
• High attention to detail and accuracy. Diligent and timely follow-through on client tasks. Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills: natural ability to build rapport with team members and clients; relates well to all kinds of people.
• Process oriented - consistently adheres to Savant's internal processes.
• Demonstrates strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Intellectually curious; continuously develops strong knowledge of wealth management.
• Understanding of and adherence to our investment philosophy, code of ethics and regulatory compliance.
• Composure and professionalism; highly professional and mature.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Team player. Desire to collaborate with others as part of a team.
• A relentless drive and ambition to improve. Possess a growth mindset. Eager to receive and accepting of feedback.
• Exhibits the company's Core Values.

Performance Outcomes

• Gain the trust and confidence of team members and advisory clients, while demonstrating a desire and ambition to grow as a financial advisor professional.
• Clients are receiving excellent service.
• Clients have trust and confidence in your abilities and consistently contact you for service-related items.
• Lead and co-advisors are well prepared for client meetings with minimal oversight and direction.
• Associate actively anticipates clients' needs and provides his or her opinion on range of client/prospect related items to lead and/or co-advisor and/or client.
• Associate engages in client meetings and effectively presents financial planning and investment related items, both written and oral, to clients.
• Associate can prioritize tasks, understanding which items require immediate attention. Client tasks are consistently completed accurately and quickly with a high sense of urgency.
• Associate understands our client processes and best practices and consistently adheres to them.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the areas of financial planning, finance, business, accounting, economics and/or other related field.
• New college graduates to several years of experience in a professional work environment, preferably in banking or financial services.
• Pursuing or committed to obtaining the Certified Financial Planner® designation.

• Obtain the Series 65 license preferably within 3 months and no later than 6 months of entering the position. This licensing is critical to ensuring compliance with financial advisory and trading standards.

Any combination of equivalent education and work experience will be considered.