Assistant Financial Planner
London
Department: Wealth Planning / Financial Planning
Reports To: Paraplanning Manager
Position Type: Permanent
Working Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm
Working Arrangement: Hybrid (up to 2 days remote working per week)
Department Overview
The Wealth Planning team provides comprehensive financial planning advice to individuals, companies, partnerships, and trusts. The team develops bespoke financial plans tailored to clients' objectives and circumstances across a broad range of financial planning disciplines, including:
- Cashflow modelling and analysis
- Retirement planning
- Pension consolidation
- Income tax planning
- Estate and inheritance tax planning
- Business financial planning
- Protection planning
- Investment and savings strategies
- International and cross-border financial planning
- Tax-efficient investment solutions
Role Purpose
The Assistant Financial Planner provides professional and technical support to Financial Planners, helping clients achieve their financial objectives through the delivery of high-quality financial planning advice and recommendations.
The role supports advisers located across multiple regional offices and requires the ability to work effectively with colleagues remotely. The Assistant Financial Planner may also assist with wider business activities and projects as required.
Key Responsibilities
Client File Preparation and Maintenance
- Gather and analyse client financial information.
- Support Financial Planners in developing strategies to meet client objectives.
- Maintain accurate client records and documentation.
- Ensure all compliance requirements are met in accordance with regulatory standards and internal procedures.
- Obtain and verify information required for financial planning and cashflow modelling.
Cashflow Planning
- Build and maintain client cashflow models.
- Ensure data accuracy and integrity within planning software.
- Analyse modelling outputs and prepare supporting documentation.
- Present findings and planning outcomes clearly and effectivley
Research and Advice Support
- Attend client meetings where appropriate.
- Conduct technical and product research to support advice recommendations.
- Analyse existing financial arrangements and assess suitability.
- Assist Financial Planners in identifying appropriate solutions for clients.
- Perform financial calculations relevant to client recommendations.
- Provide technical support on complex planning matters.
Report Writing
- Prepare comprehensive suitability reports and financial planning recommendations.
- Produce clear, concise and client-friendly documentation.
- Ensure all recommendations are supported by accurate client information and appropriate research.
- Obtain relevant approval and sign-off before reports are issued.
Stakeholder Management
- Liaise with investment managers, solicitors, accountants, tax advisers and other professional connections where required.
- Act as a key contact point for providers and third parties.
Implementation and Ongoing Service
- Take ownership of advice cases through to completion.
- Support the implementation of recommendations.
- Work closely with administration teams to ensure efficient processing.
- Prepare documentation and research for ongoing client reviews.
- Update cashflow plans and planning assumptions where required.
Administration
- Monitor progress of client cases and ensure administrative tasks are completed efficiently.
- Assist with provider correspondence, information gathering and case management activities.
- Provide additional administrative support when required
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential
- Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning (or equivalent).
- Strong understanding of the financial planning advice process.
- Good knowledge of financial planning products and suitability assessment.
- Experience producing bespoke suitability reports and advice documentation.
- Understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements within financial planning.
Desirable
- Progress towards or completion of a Level 6 Advanced Financial Planning qualification.
- Experience within a holistic financial planning support role.
- Experience using cashflow modelling software.
- Familiarity with financial planning back-office systems, research tools and provider platforms.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
What We do
Bayford Hale is a specialist recruitment and executive search firm focused on Wealth Management, Financial Planning, Asset Management, Private Banking and Family Office markets across the UK, Europe and the Middle East. We partner with clients to identify and secure high-calibre talent while helping professionals navigate and advance their careers within the financial services sector.