Associate Advisor

Blue Trust, Inc.; Deerfield (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career Development Plan training modules

Professional designations support

Job summary

A financial services firm in Deerfield is seeking an Associate Advisor to support client relationships with technical expertise in investments and financial planning. This role includes leading client meetings, developing new business opportunities, and preparing customized financial plans. Ideal candidates will have 2-5 years of experience in financial planning, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in financial software. The company offers a dynamic environment focused on client service excellence.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel with expertise in financial modeling.
• 2-5 years experience in a Financial Planner capacity.
• Personal integrity to handle confidential data.

Responsibilities

• Support client relationships with technical financial planning.
• Lead client meetings and oversee action items.
• Prepare customized financial plans for clients.

Skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Technical analytical problem-solving skills

Multitasking abilities

Client service excellence

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Industry-specific financial planning software

Job description

Description

The Associate Advisor supports advisor(s) in serving client relationships with excellence by providing technical expertise on investments and comprehensive financial planning. As an advisor-in‑training, may also lead client meetings, mentor colleagues, develop new business, and contribute to office and enterprise‑wide initiatives.

Principal Accountabilities

Business Development

Demonstrates a growing ability to create and seize business development opportunities through client engagement and involvement in spheres of influence. Some examples include generating referrals from existing clients, generating new opportunities from existing clients, teaching small group(s), serving on board(s), writing content for social media, etc.

• Understands the company target market and resources.
• Evaluates and identifies potential referral sources and networks where new opportunities for business may be found.
• Introduces clients to the complete range of Blue Trust services

Client Service

Handles client requests with minimal advisor input.

• Oversees meeting prep and implementation of action items.
• Leads or co‑leads client meetings for assigned client relationships under supervision of primary advisor.
• Serves as primary point of contact for assigned client relationships under supervision of primary advisor.

Technical

Supports (Sr.) Private Wealth Advisor by preparing customized financial plans in a manner that is tailored to the needs of the clients.

• Provides excellent service and technical support in the financial planning process to both clients and the (Sr.) Financial Advisor through maintaining client relationships in a manner consistent with company values and applied in‑depth technical skills and expertise.
• Prepares customized financial plans and recommendations for delivery to the client.
• Develops high quality, accurate, attractive and professional reports and presentations that reflect and incorporate Blue Trust’s financial planning philosophy and principles into the client recommendations.
• Manages on‑going coordination of client affairs, leading to transfer of day‑to‑day responsibility for managing the client relationship from the Advisor to the Associate Advisor.
• Assesses gifting opportunities of cash, securities, or other property.
• Conducts tax planning to estimate tax withholding settings or quarterly tax payments, plans for cash, securities or other property gifting opportunities, bonus payments, and stock option planning.
• Exhibits technical knowledge and competency in cash flow planning and analysis (including bonus payments and stock option planning), tax and charitable gift planning, education funding, debt management, retirement, insurance, and estate planning.
• Implements investment transactions utilizing company’s trading software.
• Performs other investment management tasks such as tax loss harvesting, account rebalancing, account review, and Quarterly Investment Report (QIR) generation.
• Demonstrates high level of competency in utilizing technical financial planning software applications.

Leadership and Management

• Provides training and support for financial planners within the Division and/or across the Company, lending experience and expertise to help others learn, grow, and achieve a level of competency in the Financial Planner role.
• Serves on office and firm‑wide committees/initiatives, as needed / requested.
• Embraces Blue Trust’s Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) methodology.

Compliance

Maintains the highest Compliance standards by adhering to the company's Human Resources guidelines, Compliance policies, professional designation standards, and our industry's regulatory standards to mitigate risk to the company.

Requirements

• Demonstrated in‑depth knowledge of those portions of both the old and new testaments of the Bible with scriptural references to money and finances, and an ability to apply and integrate this knowledge into all phases of client counsel.
• Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Proven decision making and discernment.
• Demonstrated ability to serve clients and others with excellence.
• Self‑starter and strong multitasker with ability to juggle multiple priorities and detail in a fast‑paced environment.
• Knowledge of industry terminology, products, and vehicles as well as regulatory environment.
• Proven technical, analytical, and problem‑solving skills with keen attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office with a high level of expertise in MS Excel and proven capability utilizing company’s industry‑specific software.
• Personal integrity and the ability to discreetly handle confidential data.
• Understands and supports Company’s policies, core values and organizational goals exhibited by day‑to‑day business activities and interactions.

Education, Experience & Skills

• Served with distinction in a Financial Planner capacity a minimum of 2‑5 years demonstrating leadership and excellence in all key areas of responsibility.
• Bachelor's degree is required with a focus in finance, financial planning, or accounting strongly preferred.
• Completion of assigned Career Development Plan training modules.

Certifications, Licenses and Registrations

• Completion of the Certified Financial Planner® designation is strongly preferred.
• Completion of the Certified Kingdom Advisor® designation is strongly preferred.
• Additional education and credentials are a plus, such as MBA, the Certified Public Accountant designation or other.

Travel Requirements

Travel demands depend upon client base in assigned territory and may include frequent travel by car, air, or other reasonable means of transportation, to ensure clients are served in a manner consistent with Division’s client service model.