1

Financial Planning Assistant Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

Financial Planning Assistant information

See California salary details

$35K

$59.8K

$103.1K

How much do financial planning assistant jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for financial planning assistant in California is $59,823.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,900.00 and $67,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a financial planning assistant do?

A financial planning assistant provides support to a financial planner. You assist with the analysis of potential plans for clients and provide customer assistance whenever they have questions. You also perform administrative duties for your manager, such as scheduling meetings. For qualified financial planning assistants, your job responsibilities may require you to draft letters, documents, or reports.

What are some of the main ways a financial planning assistant supports financial advisors during client meetings?

Financial Planning Assistants play a crucial role before, during, and after client meetings by preparing necessary documentation, gathering and organizing financial data, and creating preliminary reports. During meetings, they often take detailed notes, update financial plans in real time, and ensure that all client questions are documented for follow-up. After meetings, they handle administrative tasks such as updating client files, scheduling follow-up appointments, and coordinating with other team members to implement recommended strategies. This support ensures meetings run smoothly and advisors can focus on client relationships and strategic planning.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a financial planning assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Financial Planning Assistant, you need a solid understanding of financial concepts, attention to detail, and typically a degree in finance or a related field. Familiarity with financial planning software, CRM systems, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel are commonly required, and certifications like the FPQP (Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional) can be advantageous. Strong organizational skills, discretion, and excellent interpersonal communication help you build trust with clients and support advisors effectively. These abilities ensure accurate financial analysis, smooth workflow, and high-quality client service in a competitive industry.

What is the difference between Financial Planning Assistant vs Financial Advisor?

AspectFinancial Planning AssistantFinancial Advisor
CredentialsTypically requires a high school diploma or bachelor's degree; certifications like CFP are not mandatoryOften requires a bachelor's degree; CFP certification is common and preferred
Work EnvironmentSupports financial planners in an office setting, handling administrative and client support tasksWorks directly with clients to develop and implement financial plans
Employer & Industry UsageEmployed by financial planning firms, banks, or investment companiesEmployed by similar firms, often with a client-facing role

While both roles support financial services, a Financial Planning Assistant primarily provides administrative and support functions, whereas a Financial Advisor works directly with clients to create personalized financial strategies. The assistant role often serves as a stepping stone toward becoming a Financial Advisor.

What are the most commonly searched types of Financial Planning jobs in California?

The most popular types of Financial Planning jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Financial Planning Assistant jobs?

Cities in California with the most Financial Planning Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Financial Planning Assistant job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,823 per year, or $28.8 per hour.

Financial Planning & Analysis Asst. Manager, bilingual Korean

Cesna Recruitment

Brea, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago


Job description

[Job Summary]

Seeking a Financial Planning & Analysis Asst. Manager to join our Starfield Properties

team at the Holdings Company level. This role is pivotal in driving financial objectives and ensuring

alignment with the headquarters’ strategic goals and planning. As a hands-on Financial Planning & Analysis Asst. Manager, you will be responsible for maintaining financial management reports, coordinating communication with subsidiaries, projecting monthly and annual sales against budgets, and contributing to monthly and annual period-end close processes. The role involves proactively managing the preparation of the annual budget between subsidiaries and headquarters, providing comprehensive operational and financial analyses to support and guide strategic planning at HQ.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

-Excellent organizational skills, knows how to multi-task

-Proficiency in MS Office Suite required

-Detail oriented, strong analytical

-Attention to meet deadlines and prioritize tasks.

- Excellent communication skills

- Accuracy and Quality of Work Performed

[Job Description]

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Extract, compile, and analyze data to provide detailed reports and ad hoc analyses using existing templates.

- Establish and maintain a comprehensive database of financial information for historical analysis and

forecasting.

-Perform/monitor financial performance and analyze trends and variances to identify areas for

improvement.

-Coordinate the preparation of annual budgets between subsidiaries and headquarters, ensuring

alignment with corporate financial objectives.

-Prepare accurate monthly and annual sales projections against budgets.

-Support monthly and annual period-end close processes, including reconciliations and variance analysis.

-Act as a liaison between headquarters and subsidiaries, ensuring clear communication of financial

objectives, expectations, and updates.

-Generate regular financial reports and provide insights to management, helping to identify issues and

recommend corrective actions.

-Special Projects and Additional Responsibilities

-Perform special projects and other duties as assigned to support the Corporate Planning team.

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and

responsibility satisfactorily. The responsibilities listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill,

ability and/or physical demands required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics or other related field.

Experience: 5 years’ work experience in a relevant field with demonstrated financial acumen.

Skills/Competencies:

? Thorough knowledge of FP&A principles and procedures.

? Proficient in Excel modeling with strong attention to detail.

? Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

? A self-starter with a positive attitude and the ability to work in a rapidly changing environment.

? Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with all levels of management.

? Capable of working efficiently with minimal supervision.

? Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

? Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively.

? Builds trust and fosters positive relationships with others.

? “Can-do” attitude with critical thinking skills and initiative to ensure tasks are completed.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL ABILITIES: Work is generally performed in an office environment.

Normal amount of sitting or standing, average mobility to move around an office environment, able to

conduct normal amount of work at a computer.

Benefits

Comprehensive health insurance, 401K, PTO, Sick days