Associate Financial Planner

Cain Watters & Associates, LLC; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Associate Financial Planner to support its Planning Team in managing client relationships and implementing financial plans. This role involves preparing consult files, assisting with tax planning, and ensuring effective communication with clients. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in finance or accounting, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with a team. This position offers a competitive salary and a range of benefits, including unlimited PTO and employer-paid insurance. Join a firm recognized for its workplace culture and commitment to professional development.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Employer Paid Medical Insurance

Unlimited PTO

Firm-Paid Holidays

Safe Harbor 401k Plan

Generous Employer HSA Contributions

Continuing Education Resources

Paid Parental Leave

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field required, CPA or CFP preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in public accounting or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Support Financial Planners with client relationship management.
• Assist in financial analysis and tax planning for clients.
• Prepare consult files for annual client meetings.

Skills

Financial analysis

Tax planning

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Client relationship management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Tax, or Finance

CPA/CPA Candidate

CFP/CFP Candidate

CFA/CFA Candidate

Tools

Microsoft Office

MS Excel

Job description

Summary/Objective

Reporting to Financial Planners and Partners, the Associate Financial Planner is responsible for directly supporting the Planning Team with all aspects of the client relationship and implementation of the client’s financial plan, which include management of both internal and external workflows.

Essential Functions

1. In conjunction with the Data Input Specialist, prepare and update all consult files for each client’s annual meeting
2. Assist the Financial Planner with planning opportunities for the client
3. Assist the Financial Planner and client on implementation items from consult or as needed throughout the year
4. Promptly respond to client questions through email and phone calls
5. Review of annual income tax returns and complete year-end tax projections

Responsibilities & Duties

1. Financial analysis and tax planning for each business unit that the client owns
2. Participation with the Financial Planner during annual client meetings
3. Reconciliation of each client’s current investment asset allocation
4. Retirement plan analysis and optimization based on annual objectives of each client
5. Correspond with internal departments as well as outside vendors to assist the client in implementation of their financial plan
6. Assist with the Data Input Specialist’s training and onboarding needs on an as-needed basis
7. Review the Data Input Specialist’s work for accuracy

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Essential functions and responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Education & Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Accounting, Tax, or Finance required
• A CPA/CPA Candidate (Certified Public Accountant), CFP/CFP Candidate (Certified Financial Planner), or CFA/CFA Candidate (Certified Financial Analyst) required
• 2+ years of experience in public accounting or its equivalent preferred
• Strong communication, interpersonal and organizational skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office with an emphasis in MS Excel

Travel

No travel is required.

Work Environment

This job operates in a clerical, office setting. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

This is a largely sedentary role; however, some filing may be required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary.

Position Type & Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, exempt position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m., although additional hours may be required in order to complete work timely and accurately. Some flexibility in hours is allowed based on management’s approval. Regular in-office presence may be required for the first 6 months or until proficiency in the role is demonstrated. Once training is completed, this is a hybrid role that allows for remote flexibility with an in-office presence at least 3 days per week (typically Monday, Thursday, and Friday) or as business need dictates.

Job Compensation & Benefits

Through our competitive compensation and benefits program, we seek to attract, retain and motivate a high-performing and increasingly diverse Associate population. Our compensation and benefit structure is comprised of many factors, including but not limited to the size of our Firm, our financial position, the industry, business objectives, market salary information, benchmark pay levels and practices against the respective peer group (to ensure equal pay for equal work, with allowable pay differences based on factors not prohibited by law), and unique circumstances of the Firm that are subject to change.

Compensation
Minimum: $60,000 - Maximum: $110,000

Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Employer Paid Medical, Short-Term Disability, Accident, Life and AD&D Insurance
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Unlimited PTO
• Firm-Paid Holidays, Including an Extended Winter Break
• Safe Harbor 401k Plan
• Generous Employer HSA Contributions
• Employer Paid Professional Dues, Licenses/Renewals
• Continuing Education Resources
• Family Planning Assistance Program and Paid Parental Leave

CWA has consistently been recognized from rating services and publications such as:

• INSIDE Public Accounting - Top 100 Firms (2022, 2023, 2024)
• Top Workplaces - Financial Services (2024)
• Top Workplaces - Culture Excellence (2024)
• Accounting Today - Top Firm by AUM (2024)
• USA Today - Top Workplaces (2024, 2025)
• Accounting Today - Top 100 Firms (2022, 2023)
• Forbes America's Best Tax & Accounting Firms (2022, 2023)
• INSIDE Public Accounting - Top 100 Fastest Growing Firms (2022)
• Dallas Morning News - Top Workplace (2022, 2023)
• Accounting Today - Beyond Top 100: Firms to Watch (2020)
• Accounting Today - Regional Leaders Top Firms (2012, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020)
• INSIDE Public Accounting - Beyond the Top 100 (2015, 2016, 2018, 2020)
• INSIDE Public Accounting - Top 200 Firms (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
• Dallas Business Journal - Top Accounting Firms (2018)