Financial Planning Associate

Valid8 Financial, Inc.; Walnut Creek (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) retirement plan with company‑s

Job summary

Burton Enright Welch (BEW) in Walnut Creek, CA is seeking a Financial Planning Associate who will support BEW Advisors and Lead Advisors in delivering financial planning and investment management for clients.

This role emphasizes collaboration, ongoing learning, and growth toward becoming an Advisor, including leading meetings and serving as a client contact as you progress.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of experience in the financial services industry.
• Progress toward CFP designation.
• CPA or CFA designation welcome.
• Experience with financial planning software (eMoney) a plus.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Support Advisors and Lead Advisors on day-to-day client needs.
• Client communications are clear, prompt, responsive, and courteous.
• Work with firm resources for effective delivery of client deliverables.
• Assist in preparing for client meetings, taking notes, and sending follow-up emails.
• Create/update financial plans to monitor whether clients are on track to meet their goals.
• Analyze financial planning strategies and develop recommendations with Advisor/Lead Advisor.
• Maintain client records and monitor tasks in CRM.
• Collaborate with the Client Services Team on onboarding and service requests.
• Participate in project and committee work, including Investment Committee and Financial Planning initiatives.
• Adhere to client experience standards and compliance requirements.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Excellent communicator

Interpersonal skills

Financial planning knowledge

Team player

Microsoft Office

Education

Progress toward CFP designation

CPA designation welcome

CFA designation welcome

Tools

eMoney

CRM system

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Founded in 1989, Burton Enright Welch (BEW) is an independent, fee-only financial planning and investment management firm in Walnut Creek, CA with over $1 billion in assets under management.

BEW seeks a Financial Planning Associate who is eager to learn, intellectually curious, and will succeed in a culture that promotes collaboration, initiative, and professional growth. The Financial Planning Associate will work with BEW Advisors and Lead Advisors to provide financial planning and investment management for BEW’s clients.

The Financial Planning Associate is not expected to bring in business. Long-term, BEW expects the Financial Planning Associate to progress to an Advisor, which would include greater responsibility in leading meetings, acting as a financial planning subject matter expert, and serving as the primary point of contact with clients.

II. RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support Advisors and Lead Advisors on day-to-day client needs.
• Client communications are clear, prompt, responsive, and courteous.
• Works with firm resources for effective delivery of client deliverables.
• Assist in preparing for client meetings, taking notes, and sending follow-up emails.
• Create/update financial plans to monitor whether clients are on track to meet their goals.
• Analyze financial planning strategies (e.g., tax planning, retirement spending, equity compensation) and work with Advisor/Lead Advisor to develop recommendations.
• Maintain client records, utilize workflows, and monitor outstanding tasks in CRM.
• Manage team organization and execution of team tasks and projects.
• Collaborate with the Client Services Team on service requests and new client onboarding to ensure a seamless client experience.
• Participate in project and committee work, including Investment Committee and Financial Planning initiatives.
• Support and adhere to client experience standards and compliance requirements.

III. QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience and Education:
  • 2-4 years of experience in the financial services industry
  • Demonstrated desire or progress towards the CFP® designation.
  • CPA and CFA designations are also welcome.
  • Experience with financial planning software (e.g., eMoney) a plus
• Skills and Knowledge:
  • Detailed-oriented and highly organized
  • Completes work timely and accurately
  • Ability to prioritize and manage multiples tasks and client relationships
  • Self-starter who values continuous learning
  • Excellent communicator (verbal, written, listening)
  • Strong interpersonal skills (integrity, humility, respect, empathy)
  • Core knowledge of financial planning concepts, markets, and investment topics
  • Team player who can work effectively in a collaborative environment
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
  • Past use of a CRM system a plus

IV. COMPENSATION

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Quarterly Incentive Bonus program
• Comprehensive benefits package: medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, etc.
• 401(k) retirement plan, including company-funded contributions