Apprentice Financial Planning Assistant
HERBERT SCOTT LTD · Lewes, BN7 1YE
Paraplanner and financial planner (level 4)
A unique opportunity to launch your career in financial planning. Through practical experience, professional mentoring, and dedicated study support, you'll work towards achieving the Level 4 Paraplanner and Financial Planner standard and develop the skills needed for a successful future in financial services.
The work
A Financial Planning Assistant (FPA) performs a role similar to that commonly known within the industry as a paraplanner. The FPA position is client-facing and involves a higher level of direct involvement in client relationships and ongoing case management.
We are seeking a candidate who is looking to build a long-term career in financial services.
The successful candidate will be expected to develop strong technical knowledge while building confidence in working directly with clients. They should be comfortable communicating with clients, supporting advisers in meetings, and taking ownership of client cases as their experience grows.
This role offers a structured career pathway, as detailed in the table, with opportunities to progress into a Financial Planner position for candidates who demonstrate the required skills, qualifications and commitment.
You would be expected to quickly learn the ropes as a client administrator to give you the basis to progress your apprenticeship studies and develop your FPA skills.
This position is office-based.
The FPA job description:
- Support the business in building and maintaining deep, meaningful relationships with all clients
- Coordinate meetings necessary to deliver our new and review meeting client propositions
- Own client meeting preparation and post-meeting follow up work alongside our Financial Planners and Senior Paraplanners, including cashflow planning
- Attend client meetings, assisting Financial Planners as and when required
- Liaise with product providers to obtain and analyse existing policy information
- Produce timely, compliant and accurate meeting file notes, leading to the writing of quality suitability reports
- Maintain a good understanding of all Platforms used to support our clients and produce accurate paperwork linked to the onboarding of new business e.g. Illustrations, Applications, KIIDs etc.
- Maintain compliant client files
Training
- Your training will be completed online via your workplace address
You will achieve the Paraplanner and Financial Planner Level 4 Apprenticeship Standard:
- Fully and part funded learning and development programme that includes the DipPFS Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning
- Develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours of successful Paraplanners
- Free CII membership for non-members through the CII Aspire Apprenticeship Programme for those who have not previously been a paid member
- Includes CII digital study book and exam entry for each R0 exam
- The Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning includes:
- R01 Financial Services Regulation and Ethics
- R02 Investment Principles and Risk
- R03 Personal Taxation
- R04 Pensions and Retirement Planning
- R05 Financial Protection
- R06 Financial Planning Practice
- Multiple seminars per R0 exam!
- All seminars recorded and available on-demand
- Interactive chat, forums and class notebooks for real-time support and assistance from experienced financial services professionals
- Additional resources through RM Advance
- Regular tutorials and assessments from an experienced financial service professional
Training provider: SKILLS EDGE TRAINING LTD
What you come out with
- Possibility to progress to a Financial Planner role – dependent on company requirements and progression
What they are looking for
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Team working
- Initiative
Qualifications
- Essential · GCSE English Grade 4(C)
- Essential · GCSE Maths Grade 4(C)
- Essential · Level 3 and Above Financial Related (Business/Economics) Pass
The employer
Herbert Scott is a Chartered financial planning firm dedicated to helping clients achieve financial confidence through personalised advice, long-term planning, and trusted ongoing support.
Workplace
- The Left Bank, 173 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1YE