Paraplanner

Position Overview:

The Paraplanner plays a critical role in partnering with Financial Advisers to develop and deliver high-quality, compliant financial advice. Working closely with advisers throughout the advice process, the role provides technical analysis, strategy modelling, investment and insurance research, portfolio reporting and advice document preparation to support quality client outcomes. The Paraplanner contributes to advice development, process improvement and technical capability across the advice team, while helping ensure efficient and consistent advice delivery

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare Statements of Advice (SoAs), Records of Advice (RoAs), Review Reports and other advice documentation in accordance with compliance requirements and business standards.
• Gather, analyze and validate client information required to prepare advice strategies and recommendations.
• Ensure all documentation, file notes and record-keeping practices comply with organizational and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date client data within Xplan and other business systems.
• Partner closely with Financial Advisers to develop and refine client strategies and recommendations.
• Prepare cashflow projections, modelling and scenario analysis to support client advice strategies.
• Conduct research and analysis on investments, wealth platforms, superannuation, retirement strategies and personal insurance solutions.
• Prepare insurance comparisons, policy replacement analysis and risk research to support adviser recommendations.
• Prepare strategic portfolio reviews, investment reports and wholesale client communications.
• Provide advisers with alternative strategy scenarios and technical recommendations for consideration.
• Manage advice production workflows to meet agreed service standards and turnaround times.
• Participate in technical peer reviews and quality assurance processes to maintain consistency, accuracy and compliance.
• Support the maintenance of advice templates, including Fact Finds, SoAs, RoAs, strategy inserts and product content.
• Liaise with relevant technology providers to support advice production systems and tools.
• Identify opportunities to improve advice production processes, workflows and technology utilization.
• Complete advice reviews and other assigned technical work within agreed service levels.
• Attend relevant training and professional development activities to maintain current technical, product and regulatory knowledge.

Qualifications: 

• 3+ years' experience in paraplanning or a similar technical advice support role.
• RG146 compliant.
• Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning preferred.
• Demonstrated experience preparing SoAs, RoAs and Review Reports.
• Experience preparing strategic portfolio reviews and client-facing advice documentation.
• Experience preparing cashflow projections and strategy modelling.
• Strong experience conducting investment and personal risk insurance research.
• Experience using Xplan, Iress/Xtools+ and related financial planning software.

Skills and Attributes: 

• Strong technical knowledge of investments, superannuation, retirement planning, taxation and personal insurance.
• Sound understanding of wholesale and retail investment products, managed funds, ETFs, listed investments and model portfolios.
• Ability to confidently engage with advisers regarding strategy development and technical matters.
• Strong analytical, modelling and problem-solving capability.
• Advanced report-writing and communication skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong understanding of advice production workflows and compliance requirements.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Collaborative approach and commitment to continuous improvement.

About Focus Partners Australia 

Focus Partners Australia is part of Focus Financial Partners, a leading financial services firm based in the United States, comprised of wealth management, family office, and business management services. Focus Partners Australia offers integrated capabilities in investment and portfolio management, accounting, lending, insurance and related services from its offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Guided by a client-first ethos, we leverage the global expertise, platforms and capital strength of Focus Financial Partners to deliver holistic, fiduciary guidance across strategic planning, portfolio management, insurance, credit and tax. By fusing local insight with world-class resources, Focus Partners Australia helps its clients protect, grow, and transition their wealth at every life stage. Discover more about Focus Partners Australia at focuspa.com.au/ or LinkedIn.