Intern Position
The position of Associate Advisor Intern is designed to give an aspiring financial advisor a real-world experience of the job of an Associate Advisor at Griffin Black. Interns will serve from 3 – 6 months, typically on a part-time basis, with the possibility of eventually being converted to a full-time position. Specific schedules will be established to fit the Intern’s individual circumstances and needs, especially if he/she is still enrolled in an educational program. To the extent permitting, the Intern will be integrated into Griffin Black’s ongoing client processes. In addition, Interns may be asked to undertake specific projects related to their role.
At the end of the Intern service period, we will ascertain whether or not there is a mutual interest in bringing the Intern on as a full-time Associate Advisor at Griffin Black.
Mission & Position
At Griffin Black, the Associate Advisor serves as the key connector between our clients and the entire team. This great communicator, influencer and enthusiastic person will support our company’s vision, positive culture and team spirit.
The Associate Advisor provides technical financial planning and investment management work, either under the management of higher-level professionals or on their own. They typically work with other professional planners in the firm and are under the supervision of a Lead Advisor and/or Senior Advisor. They have decision making abilities on client plans, investment processes and procedures, operational processes and procedures and client affairs.
They have obtained the proper experience and licensing to work directly with clients. They primarily perform supervisory functions to emerging professionals and support functions to higher level professional advisors to ensure client satisfaction is at the highest level. The primary responsibility is managing a group of client relationships and other employees under their supervision to carry out exceptional client service.
Essential Responsibilities
Client and Advisory Engagement
- Manage and engage directly with a group of clients to best support their financial, investment, and risk outcomes. Responsible for client retention and client satisfaction with assigned clients.
- Provide guidance and expert advice to management, client or other groups outside the organization on technical financial planning and investment planning needs, systems, or process-related topics.
- Analyzes information and evaluates results to choose the best solution to solve client or operational problems and held accountable and responsible for those decisions.
- Ensures the compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, reconciling, downloading, and verifying of client data in the organizations’ client related software programs are completed according to procedure, including CRM, Financial Planning Software, Investment Management software, and other related or connected programs.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources to make sure client accounts are up to date, to include translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used by other professionals.
- Identifies concerns, problems or opportunities within client accounts and notifies, updates or corrects the client information prior to it becoming a problem for other professional advisors or the relationship with the client.
- Uses relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Analyzes client information and evaluates results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- In-depth understanding of time value of money: present value, future value, annuity payments, internal rate of return and compounding interest.
- Engage and prepare client onboarding requirements with financial planning software
- Update CRM with client data and work through client process
Compliance
- Supports regulatory compliance processes in order to maintain an effective and robust investment advisory compliance program
- Performs other compliance related tasks and projects as assigned
Position Specifics
Experience and Education
- A bachelor’s degree
- Series 65 and CFP® (or similar) required with pursuit of advanced degree or designation
- Ideally 0-4 years of experience in a in a direct advisory capacity in financial services
- Proficient in core financial planning and development of core client cases
- Experience working with various custodial platforms (Pershing, Fidelity, Schwab, TD, etc.
Skills and Knowledge
- Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, empathy and listening)
- Base knowledge in financial planning analysis and modeling, particularly for complex client needs
- Demonstrates personal integrity, honesty and can deal with confidential information daily
- Ability to deal with stress in an ever-changing investment market and financial services
- Excellent time management and strong organizational skills, and ability to prioritize multiple tasks and anticipate potential problems.
