Client Service Associate

Merit Financial Advisors; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental/vision insurance

401(k) plan with company matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Merit Financial Advisors, based in Rockford, IL, is seeking a Client Service Associate to enhance client interactions and ensure operational excellence. The successful candidate will manage various administrative tasks and provide operational support while maintaining strong relationships with clients.

This role requires 1–2 years of experience in wealth management client service, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in industry tools like Salesforce. Benefits include competitive salary, medical, dental, and retirement options.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1–2 years in client service for a wealth management firm.
• Excellent knowledge of the securities industry’s rules & regulations.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and operate under tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain solid relationships with clients.
• Assist with scheduling client appointments for advisor.
• Provide operational support for account transfers and new clients.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Proficient computer skills in Outlook, Word, Excel, Salesforce

Outstanding teamwork and time-management skills

Detail-oriented

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree

Tools

Salesforce

Fidelity

Schwab

Job description

The Company: Merit is a fast growing, pioneering financial services firm that invests heavily in the growth and development of team members. Merit seeks to establish, educate, and help individuals reach their financial goals as they transition into and experience retirement. With an unswerving commitment to excellence and reliability, Merit provides objective financial advice and believes in establishing long‑lasting relationships. By offering an array of services, clients can receive tailored solutions that promote growth and help them achieve financial goals. Headquartered in Alpharetta, GA, with 39 locations across the country, Merit balances tactical advice with innovative strategy. Our 250 hardworking employees are leaders rooted in humility and we are poised to grow. Merit is a multi‑generational firm with a foundation built around servant leadership and total team leadership.

The Position: Client Service Associate

Client Service Associate is a key role that ensures excellence in customer service. This person manages client interactions and maintains the highest level of confidentiality and discretion in all business matters to complete appropriate paperwork in a professional and timely manner.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain solid relationships with clients.
• Assist with scheduling client appointments for advisor.
• Investigate and resolve various administrative matters impacting the client’s overall situation, including abandoned property issues, cost basis determination, account and transaction history as needed, identification of fees assessed, resolution of corporate actions, and other activity or issue needing attention.
• Provide operational support for all existing and new clients including but not limited to account transfers, move money requests, branch check deposits to client accounts, conversions, beneficiary updates, estate processing, processing and managing all new and existing annuity (custodian system) and life policies, alternative investment orders, performing necessary client transactions upon request, researching and resolving client inquiries, returning all client calls, and ensuring client satisfaction at all times.
• Review and resolve client account related issues with custodians.
• Proactive follow‑up with clients to confirm account updates, paperwork, and check receipt.
• Meet with clients when applicable for new client forms signatures and processing.
• Review notes from client meetings and complete action items.
• Deposit physical checks received at branch via remote check deposit tool.
• Track and document all account changes in Salesforce CRM accurately and in a timely manner.
• Review account transactions daily to monitor trade requests placed, confirm deposits posted, transfers received, confirm client withdrawal requests sent, etc.
• Set up new client online account access and assist existing clients with online account access.
• Maintain required minimum distributions.
• Submit and follow‑up on advisory trade requests with Merit Investment Team.
• Document all communication and interactions with clients and prospects and processing managers in Salesforce CRM in a timely manner.
• Work closely with the Processing Manager.
• Maintain paperless client files on our cloud‑based system.
• Keep advisor(s) book of business updated within the custodian systems, Salesforce & Orion.
• Collaborate with the Client Service team across all branches to keep up with changes at custodians and develop and improve systems and processes.
• Resolve account‑related compliance requests.
• Track and submit insurance licensing, renewal, and appointments.
• Maintain and submit branch compliance files quarterly.
• Handle miscellaneous operational activities and projects.
• Participate in prospect and client events.

Salary + Benefits

• Competitive, based on experience
• Medical insurance
• Dental/vision insurance
• Life & personal accident insurance
• Short‑term disability insurance
• Long‑term disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA) or Dependent Care FSA
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays

Requirements

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of 1–2 years in client service for a wealth management firm
• Previous experience working on Fidelity or Schwab platforms
• Excellent knowledge of the securities industry’s rules & regulations
• Proficient computer skills and proficiencies in Outlook, Word, Excel, and Salesforce desired
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Outstanding teamwork and time‑management skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and operate in tight deadlines
• Strong team‑oriented mentality with a desire to achieve personal and company performance goals
• Ability to interact with clients and team members in a professional and respectful manner
• Detail‑oriented and self‑motivated
• Curiosity and ingenuity to help implement new client‑related technology solutions as well as creatively build and maintain methods and procedures of the company