Senior Paraplanner

PKF Francis Clark; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Group pension

Life insurance

Income protection

Health cash plan

Job summary

PKF Francis Clark in Exeter is seeking an experienced Senior Paraplanner to join our growing Financial Planning team. You will take technical ownership of complex cases across pensions, investments and protection, and prepare high-quality suitability reports in line with regulatory requirements.

You'll work closely with Financial Planners, Client Executives and other Paraplanners, supporting colleagues, sharing expertise and driving continuous process improvements in a hybrid

Qualifications

• Significant paraplanning experience within a financial planning environment.
• CII Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning (or equivalent) as a minimum.
• Progress towards Chartered status would be advantageous.
• Strong technical knowledge across pensions, investments, protection and holistic financial planning.
• Demonstrable experience supporting complex client cases.
• Sound understanding of FCA regulations and delivering positive client outcomes.
• Strong report‑writing and analytical skills.
• Experience using financial planning software, cashflow modelling tools and CRM systems.
• Confident communicating technical concepts to both financial and non‑financial audiences.
• Able to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues alike.
• Highly organised, proactive and committed to delivering outstanding quality.

Responsibilities

• Take technical ownership of complex and higher-risk financial planning cases across pensions, investments and protection.
• Act as an escalation point for technical queries from Paraplanners, Client Executives and Financial Planners.
• Produce high-quality suitability reports that clearly communicate recommendations and meet regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate alternative planning strategies, challenge assumptions and recommend the most appropriate technical approach.
• Undertake detailed research across products, funds and planning solutions using approved tools and platforms.
• Use cashflow modelling and scenario planning to support long-term client decision-making.
• Review fact finds, risk assessments and supporting information to identify gaps and areas requiring further investigation.
• Liaise with providers, clients and colleagues to obtain information and resolve technical queries.
• Prepare application forms and supporting documentation for new business and plan amendments.
• Review complex reports and technical work, providing constructive feedback and helping maintain consistent quality standards.
• Coach and support Paraplanners, sharing technical knowledge and helping colleagues develop their confidence and capability.
• Build trusted relationships with Financial Planners, constructively challenging recommendations where further analysis or a different approach may improve the client outcome.
• Lead or shape technical and process improvements, helping translate regulatory or legislative changes into practical working practices.

Skills

Paraplanning

FCA regulations

Report writing

Client communication

Education

CII Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning

Chartered status progress

Tools

Financial planning software

Cashflow modelling tools

CRM systems

Job description

In a nutshell

We're looking for an experienced Senior Paraplanner to join our growing Financial Planning team in Exeter.

Working closely with Financial Planners, Client Executives and fellow Paraplanners, you'll act as a trusted technical specialist, helping shape complex financial planning strategies and ensuring clients receive high-quality, compliant and practical advice. Beyond preparing suitability reports and technical research, you'll bring insight, challenge and expertise to financial planning recommendations, helping deliver excellent client outcomes.

This role offers the opportunity to take a leading technical position within the team, support the development of colleagues, and contribute to the continuous improvement of our processes and client experience.

The role is based in our Exeter office. We currently operate a hybrid working model, with colleagues working from the office three days per week. To support collaboration across the wider Financial Planning team, one of your office-based days will normally be spent in our Taunton office. Travel between Exeter and Taunton can be claimed in line with our expenses policy.

What you'll be doing day to day

• Take technical ownership of complex and higher-risk financial planning cases across pensions, investments and protection, identifying issues and agreeing appropriate solutions with the Financial Planner
• Act as an escalation point for technical queries from Paraplanners, Client Executives and Financial Planners
• Produce high-quality suitability reports that clearly communicate recommendations and meet regulatory requirements
• Evaluate alternative planning strategies, challenge assumptions and recommend the most appropriate technical approach, ensuring it is suitable, robust and aligned to client objectives
• Undertake detailed research across products, funds and planning solutions using approved tools and platforms
• Use cashflow modelling and scenario planning to support long-term client decision-making
• Review fact finds, risk assessments and supporting information to identify gaps and areas requiring further investigation
• Liaise with providers, clients and colleagues to obtain information and resolve technical queries
• Prepare application forms and supporting documentation for new business and plan amendments
• Review complex reports and technical work, providing constructive feedback and helping maintain consistent quality standards
• Coach and support Paraplanners, sharing technical knowledge and helping colleagues develop their confidence and capability
• Build trusted relationships with Financial Planners, constructively challenging recommendations where further analysis or a different approach may improve the client outcome
• Lead or shape technical and process improvements, helping translate regulatory or legislative changes into practical working practices

About you

• Significant paraplanning experience within a financial planning environment
• CII Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning (or equivalent) as a minimum
• Progress towards Chartered status would be advantageous
• Strong technical knowledge across pensions, investments, protection and holistic financial planning
• Demonstrable experience supporting complex client cases
• Sound understanding of FCA regulations and delivering positive client outcomes
• Strong report‑writing and analytical skills
• Experience using financial planning software, cashflow modelling tools and CRM systems
• Confident communicating technical concepts to both financial and non‑financial audiences
• Able to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues alike
• Highly organised, proactive and committed to delivering outstanding quality

Why work at PKF Francis Clark

As the largest firm of independent chartered accountants and business advisers in South West England, PKF Francis Clark offers a wide range of opportunities to develop your career in the way that’s right for you.

Established in 1919, we’ve grown to nearly 1,000 people across offices in Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Poole, Salisbury, Southampton, Taunton, Torquay and Truro. Our size means we can offer ambitious work with exciting clients and a friendly, supportive culture.

We want you to belong, be yourself and do your best work as part of a forward‑thinking team, with a flexible approach to hybrid working and a strong focus on wellbeing, learning and development.

For the past four years, PKF Francis Clark has been certified as a Great Place to Work and ranked among the UK’s Best Workplaces, rising to 6th out of 100 large organisations.

We’re a top 10 Best Workplace for Women, as well as being ranked for Wellbeing, Development, and Consulting and Professional Services. These rankings are compiled by Great Place to Work, based on confidential, independent feedback from our people. In addition, we’re one of The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers.

Being a Certified B Corp means we’re held to high standards for environmental and social performance. We’re independently assessed to ensure we support our people, act responsibly and make long‑term decisions that balance people and planet.

We’re proudly independent, while collaborating internationally through the PKF Global family of firms. Together we’re the 13th largest provider of accountancy services in the UK, with connections to like‑minded advisers in 150 countries.

Your core benefits

Financial wellbeing

• Group personal pension to help you build your future savings through employer and employee contributions
• Group life assurance providing cover up to four times your basic annual salary
• Group income protection available after six months’ service
• Health cash plan giving money back on everyday health costs, with free cover for up to four dependent children (up to age 24 in full‑time education) and the option to add a partner or spouse

Mental wellbeing

• Counselling and emotional support for you and your immediate family
• Virtual GP and second opinion services for you and your immediate family
• Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders for confidential, peer to peer support

Physical wellbeing

• Cycle to work scheme, with the option to purchase a bike and accessories up to £4,000*
• Discounted membership at gyms, pools and studios across the UK
• Digital health and wellbeing tools available through the employee health cash plan
• Support for colleagues experiencing menopause, as part of our Menopause Workplace Pledge, including webinars and a dedicated Microsoft Teams channel for ongoing support

Additional benefits

• Family friendly benefits, including enhanced pay, family leave coaching sessions and a parent network
• The option to buy up to five extra days of holiday (pro rata for part‑time colleagues) *
• One paid volunteering day each year to support local organisations
• Electric vehicle lease scheme (grade and pay criteria apply) *
• Gifts to mark key career and family milestones
• Expert led webinars on mental, physical and financial wellbeing
• Francis Clark Charitable Foundation, offering support for current and former employees experiencing financial hardship

* These benefits are provided via a salary exchange and are subject to employee’s post exchange hourly rate remaining above the national minimum wage

Additional information

• Job title used internally may not align exactly with the title displayed in this advert

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