Paraplanner

Armstrong Watson LLP; Carlisle; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme (4x salary)

Generous annual leave

Smart working policy

Health & wellbeing benefits

Employee assistance programme

CPD support

Professional membership fees

Job summary

Armstrong Watson LLP in Carlisle is recruiting a Paraplanner to support the Financial Planning Team with technical research and advisory support. You will prepare suitability letters, assist with new business processing, and help develop the team's technical and research capabilities.

The role requires a Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning and substantial paraplanning experience, with strong knowledge of COBS, COCON and SYSC.

Qualifications

• Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning required.
• Significant paraplanning experience (ideally 5+ years).
• Extensive knowledge of Conduct of Business (COBS), Code of Conduct (COCON) and SYSC.
• Knowledge of FCA rules and other accountancy services is advantageous.
• Excellent communication skills and client service mindset.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment and prioritise workloads.
• General IT literacy; full UK driving licence desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research to prepare advice for new or existing clients.
• Compile suitability letters based on advised recommendations.
• Process new business efficiently.
• Provide feedback to Financial Planning Consultants on fact-find quality.
• Support team development and maintain up-to-date technical knowledge.
• Maintain reports to high quality and accuracy.

Education

Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning

Job description

Department: Financial Planning

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Carlisle

Description

About Us

Build something exceptional, with us…

Our ambition is clear and openly bold.

Armstrong Watson is on a journey to more than double our turnover by 2030, through disciplined organic growth, the attraction of outstanding talent, and the selective acquisition of like‑minded firms.

But growth alone is not the goal. Reputation is. And reputation is earned, not inherited.

Our strategic intent is simple to say and hard to deliver. To become the most respected adviser to privately owned businesses in the North and the UK.

The firm business owners talk about. The firm lawyers and bankers recommend without hesitation.

To achieve this, we are building the best Accounting and Financial Advisory firm to deal with, not just in the North, but across the UK. Exceptional service, deep expertise, trusted relationships, and absolute reliability define everything we do. These are not slogans; they are standards we hold ourselves to every day.

At our core, we exist for one reason, to help our clients achieve prosperity, a secure future, and peace of mind.

This strategy sets the direction. Our people, our values‑led culture, and our standards will deliver it.

We are looking for people who want more than the next job. People who care deeply about:

• Standards and professionalism
• Doing work they are proud to put their name to
• Building long‑term client relationships
• Being part of a firm with real momentum and intent

If you want to grow with a business that is ambitious, values‑driven, and serious about excellence, Armstrong Watson offers opportunity and expectation in equal measure.

What you will find here:

• A firm with clear direction and momentum
• Clients who value advice and relationships
• Colleagues who care about doing things properly
• A culture built on Passion, Trust, Humanity and Honesty
• Genuine opportunity to shape your career as the firm grows

This is our moment, and our vision is clear, to build something genuinely remarkable.

The Role

We are now recruiting for a Paraplanner to join our Carlisle office and wider Financial Planning Service Line.

The main purpose of this position is to provide technical and advisory support to the Financial Planning Team, including Financial Planning Consultants and Financial Planning Assistants, together with the Leadership & Compliance Teams.

The main elements of this role will include:

• Conducting required research to produce all kinds of advice for new or existing clients
• Compiling suitability letters based on the advice being given
• Processing new business
• Providing feedback to Financial Planning Consultants in respect of potential improvements to fact find completion
• Supporting Financial Planning Consultants and Financial Planning Assistants with the development of their technical and research knowledge, as appropriate
• Maintaining and developing your own technical knowledge

Please note that we will not be accepting candidates from agency suppliers in connection with this vacancy.

The Candidate

In order to fulfil the responsibilities of the position, we would like candidates to be / have:

• A Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning qualification (minimum requirement)
• Significant Paraplanning experience (a minimum of 5 years' experience is desirable but not essential)
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of Business Standards - Conduct of Business (COBS)
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of High Level Standards - Code of Conduct (COCON)
• Good knowledge and understanding of FCA Money Laundering Section of the System & Controls Sourcebook (SYSC)
• Basic knowledge of other Accountancy services, including Audit, Tax, Insolvency, Corporate Finance, VAT and Accounting
• Excellent communication skills (in both written and verbal forms) and a passion for delivering exemplary service to clients
• Comfortable working in a fast paced environment
• A dedicated team player, and willing to assist colleagues in the team where possible
• Able to prioritise workloads under strict deadlines and use initiative to solve problems
• General IT skills
• Good attention to detail to ensure that reports are compiled to the highest possible quality
• A Full UK Driving Licence (desirable not essential requirement)

The Benefits

In return for your hard work helping us shape our future growth and development; we will provide a competitive salary and a positive benefits package which includes:

• Salary Sacrifice Employer Contribution Pension Scheme including Life Cover (4x salary) and Income Protection
• Competitive Annual Leave entitlement & Annual Leave Purchase Scheme allowing you to buy up to 5 additional days annual leave each year
• Smart Working Policy, giving you the ability to balance home and remote working
• Health Shield Cash Plan (cash back on a range of Health benefits and discounts on holidays, fashion and entertainment)
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential support for wellbeing and health)
• Paid flu jabs and eye tests
• Introductory Commission Scheme (financial reward if you refer a new client)
• Employee Referral Scheme (financial reward if you refer new AW colleagues) enabling you to claim up to £2,500 for each referral
• Investment towards Continuous Professional Development (CPD), which includes access to comprehensive training courses and materials
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• Paid professional membership fees

In addition to all the benefits you would expect from an award winning employer, you will be given the utmost encouragement and support to develop your career further.

When you're with us... we're with you.