Client Service & Planning Associate

About Seawise Financial

Seawise Financial is a fee-only fiduciary RIA in Cardiff by the Sea, California. We work with clients in San Diego and virtually around the country, mostly pre-retirees and retirees in their 50s and 60s, on retirement planning, investment management, and tax planning.

We're hiring for the role below, starting in January 2027.

Client Service & Planning Associate

You'll be the first person our clients reach and the person running our operations behind the scenes. The mix follows the calendar. April through May and November through December are planning-heavy, built around review season and year-end tax work. The rest of the year leans toward client service and operations, with planning updates as client lives change.

What you'll do ( Client service and operations)

• Answer client calls and emails the same business day, and resolve most requests without escalating.

• Open accounts and process transfers, distributions, RMDs and beneficiary updates at Schwab.

• Reach out proactively to collect tax returns, statements and paperwork, and follow up until every open item closes.

• Keep Wealthbox current with notes, tasks and workflows for each client interaction.

• Prepare meeting agendas and materials, then send recaps and action items afterward.

• Support new-client onboarding, quarterly billing and compliance recordkeeping.

Planning support (heaviest April–May and November–December)

• Keep client plans current in eMoney after each meeting and life change.

• Run tax projections in Holistiplan.

• Run and gather account reports in Orion

• Load data and build first-draft plans for new clients.

• Sit in on client meetings, take notes and own the follow-up.

What we're looking for

• 2 + years at an RIA, wealth management firm or planning practice, ideally client-facing.

• CFP® or CFP® track welcome but not required. Series 65 preferred, or willingness to obtain it.

• Hands-on experience with Schwab, eMoney, Holistiplan, Wealthbox and Orion is a strong plus.

• Working tax knowledge: reading a 1040, brackets, RMDs, IRMAA and Roth conversion basics.

• A warm, clear manner with clients in their 50s and 60s, by phone and email.

• The organization to track dozens of open items without dropping one, and the flexibility to shift between operations and planning as the seasons change.

Schedule and pay

• Full-time, Monday through Friday, starting in mid - December

• Remote, CA applicants only, San Diego County preferred. Occasional in-person time and client meetings in North County San Diego

• Pay range: $65,000 to $85,000, depending on credentials and experience, plus a discretionary annual bonus

• 2 Fridays off per month in the summer

• 401(k) with employer match, paid time off and a professional development budget