Associate Advisor Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

SUMMARY

The Financial Advisor II is primarily responsible for supporting the senior financial advisor(s) and principals of the firm in all aspects of giving advice and conducting client meetings. He/she also works in collaboration with the senior financial advisor(s) and principals of the firm to develop a deeper understanding of FSA’s philosophy and approach to investing. The Financial Advisor II regularly works in conjunction with the client service associates to ensure proper preparation and completion of documentation for client meetings and processing client financial information through various financial planning software tools. Financial advisors meet regularly with the Advice Team for continuous learning, information sharing on best practices, identify departmental gaps, promote consistency in handling of processes and procedures, and regularly reinforce effective advice strategies that successfully cultivate lasting client relationships built upon the firm’s cultural vision.

The Financial Advisor II exercises his or her credentials in financial planning to serve the needs of clients and is expected to demonstrate greater latitude in advice giving and independent decision making, frequently meeting independently with clients whose financial planning needs fall within the scope of the advisor’s professional experience and education.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Client Services

• Build trust and confidence with each and every client we serve
• Communicate with clients both verbally and in writing
• Assist clients with investment and finance-related requests
• Maintain files, keep detailed notes on client issues, initiate and track actions into CRM
• Answer client and prospect questions around: retirement analysis, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, and FSA approach and philosophy
• Ask clients for introductions/referrals
• Close business with prospective clients
• Fully understand financial planning software and troubleshoot as needed
• Assess and determine what information to show clients to answer questions
• Demonstrate the ability to quickly get to the heart of the issue
• Demonstrate being a great educator and communicator of concepts, principals, and issues

Support Advice Department

• Assist financial advisors with scheduling client and prospect appointments as well as handling meeting preparation
• Participate in client meetings as needed to take notes and provide support to financial advisors
• Give sound advice while participating in meetings
• Work with mentor(s) in the Advice Department to gain exposure to the daily work of an advisor

Software/Web

• Understand all client-related software including client relationship management (CRM), portfolio management, financial planning, MS Office products
• Use software to assist in client requests, data entry into financial planning software, internally segment clients, etc.
• Show working knowledge of custodian website and FSA portal
• Research various topics via web and other resources

Office Administration

• Assist with preparation of marketing materials, mailings, and special projects
• Understand Schwab forms including, but not limited to applications, beneficiary forms, Moneylink applications, etc.
• Understand FSA forms including, but not limited to Client Profile and Agreement, strategy change letters, termination letters, data input forms for financial planning software, etc.

Cultural Vision Integration

• Support and implement core values into daily work and team member interactions
• Participate in training and ongoing learning opportunities as designated by manager

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree minimum
• Certified Financial Planner(TM) designation
• Minimum 5 years’ work-related experience
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to communicate tactfully, diplomatically, clearly, courteously, and professionally
• Effective team collaboration skills
• Excellent analytical, problem solving, and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of effective training techniques for adult learning and ability to effectively communicate and teach complex processes and concepts
• Organized, detail-oriented, and ability to multi-task
• Self-starter who takes initiative with little direction
• Effective self-direction with ability to make sound decisions with little to no direction
• Ability to work under pressure with effective self-regulation and self-management skills
• Effective project management skills and meeting facilitation skills
• Customer-service oriented with a pleasant demeanor and telephone manner
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook