Associate Financial Advisor

Retirement & Wealth Strategies; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Retirement & Wealth Strategies, in Grand Rapids, seeks an Associate Financial Advisor to grow into a client-facing role. You will support meetings, plan preparation, and portfolio implementation under a Lead and Senior Advisor, with a clear path to managing an independent book of business and ongoing prospecting.

This development-track, full-time position operates within a collaborative team that serves an established client base and emphasizes client service, compliance, and professional growth

Qualifications

• SIE and securities licenses required or obtainable within timeframe.
• Series 7 and Series 66 required or obtainable within established timeframe.
• Life and health licensure preferred or willing to obtain.
• 1–3 years of experience in financial services or wealth management.
• Working knowledge of investment products and financial planning concepts.
• Proficiency with planning and CRM tools and platforms.

Responsibilities

• Support Lead and Senior Financial Advisors in client meetings and follow-up.
• Assist discovery meetings to gather goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial information.
• Help develop and present financial plans and investment recommendations under advisor supervision.
• Assist with implementation of investment strategies with the team-based process.
• Begin managing a growing subset of client relationships as licensing progresses.
• Coordinate with planning, investment, and client service teams to deliver a seamless client experience.
• Maintain accurate client records in CRM and broker-dealer systems.
• Participate in prospecting and referral-generation activities with Senior Advisors.
• Additional duties and special projects as assigned by management.

Skills

Strong communication

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Client service mindset

Explain financial concepts clearly

Education

SIE license

Series 7 license

Series 66 license

Life and health insurance license (preferred)

Tools

eMoney

Riskalyze

YCharts

Zacks Research

Microsoft Office

Salesforce

Job description

Salary: Competitive Base W2 Salary Plus Incentive Compensation Based on Experience and Credentials

Location: Greater Grand Rapids

Employment Status: Full-Time

Position Summary

We are seeking a motivated Associate Financial Advisor to join our advisory team and grow into a client-facing relationship management role. Working closely with a Lead and Senior Financial Advisor and our internal planning and investment teams, this role supports client meetings, plan preparation, and portfolio implementation while developing the skills to eventually manage an independent book of business. This is a development-track position for a candidate who is coachable, client-oriented, and committed to building a long-term career in financial advising. This is a W-2 employee position offering the opportunity to serve and build relationships with clients within the firm's established client base. Client relationships are maintained by the firm and supported through a collaborative team environment.

About Retirement & Wealth Strategies

Retirement & Wealth Strategies (RWS) is an independent financial services firm dedicated to helping individuals, families, and businesses Build, Protect, and Enjoy their financial future.

Core Values

• Excellence: We strive to help families live intentionally with Peace of mind and financial confidence.

Responsibilities

• Support Lead and Senior Financial Advisors in preparing for, attending, and following up on client meetings
• Assist in discovery meetings to gather client goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial information
• Help develop and present financial plans and investment recommendations under advisor supervision
• Assist with implementation of investment strategies in coordination with the firm's team-based investment process
• Begin managing a growing subset of client relationships as proficiency and licensing progress allow
• Coordinate with internal planning, investment, and client service teams to deliver a seamless client experience
• Maintain accurate client records and documentation in CRM and our broker dealer's system in accordance with firm policies and compliance standards
• Participate in prospecting and referral-generation activities alongside Senior Advisors
• Additional duties and special projects as assigned by management

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of experience in financial services, wealth management, or a client-facing role preferred
• SIE (Securities Industry Essentials) required
• Series 7 (General Securities Representative) required, or willingness to obtain within an established timeframe
• Series 66 (Uniform Combined State Law) required, or willingness to obtain within an established timeframe
• Life and health insurance licensure preferred or willingness to obtain
• Working knowledge of investment products and financial planning concepts
• Proficiency with firm technology platforms including eMoney, Riskalyze, YCharts, Zacks Research, and Microsoft Office; experience using Salesforce is a plus

The Ideal Candidate

We expect the following skills and attributes:

• Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills
• Eagerness to learn and receptiveness to mentorship and feedback
• Sound judgment and a fiduciary, client-first mindset
• Ability to explain financial concepts in clear, approachable terms
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple client workstreams under supervision
• Proficiency with business technology, CRM, and planning software platforms
• Commitment to client service, professionalism, and long-term career growth within the firm

This position operates in a professional office environment and includes regular client and team interaction. The role may occasionally require internal training attendance, industry continuing education, and participating in company events.

Why Join Retirement & Wealth Strategies

At Retirement & Wealth Strategies, we believe our people are our greatest asset. Team members have the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals, contribute to meaningful initiatives, and grow their careers in an organization built on trust, education, and relationships.