CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER JOB DESCRIPTION

A Certified Financial Planner translates a client's full financial picture into an actionable, personalized plan. The role owns the client relationship from discovery through implementation, covering areas that range from retirement income structuring to estate and insurance needs. CFP licensure and FINRA registration requirements set a defined competency floor that distinguishes this seat from general advisory roles. Most planners in this space carry a book of business and are measured on retention and plan delivery, not just prospecting volume.

As the Certified Financial Planner, you are accountable for designing, presenting, and implementing comprehensive financial plans that align with each client's risk tolerance, life stage, and long-term objectives. You operate within a financial services team, partnering with advisors, branch managers, or sales representatives to ensure every client receives accurate, compliant, and personalized guidance.

Career Impact: Holding an active CFP designation while managing a client-facing book of business establishes measurable credibility within the financial advisory market, opening pathways to senior planner, branch manager, or wealth management roles.

Business Impact: The financial plans this role delivers directly shape clients' retirement readiness, insurance coverage decisions, and investment allocations, outcomes that determine long-term client retention for the firm.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to retirement income planning, estate strategies, and cross-functional advisory work builds a breadth of technical expertise that raises market value and supports progression toward Senior Financial Planner or advisory leadership.

• Design comprehensive financial plans tailored to each client's risk tolerance, life stage, and financial objectives.
• Compile and analyze client financial data including cash flow, goals, and expectations to support accurate plan development.
• Deliver financial planning recommendations covering savings strategies, life insurance, mutual funds, and retirement income products.
• Conduct client meetings and follow-up sessions to review plans, present alternatives, and confirm implementation steps.
• Research retirement plan regulations, tax implications, and Social Security considerations to support technically sound advice.
• Maintain detailed records of client interactions, plan recommendations, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Partner with internal sales and advisory teams to track open proposals and align planning support with client service commitments.
• Lead or participate in financial planning seminars and webinars for clients, prospects, and internal staff.

• Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, accounting, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 2 or more years of financial planning or financial advisory experience, with demonstrated client-facing plan delivery.
• Active CFP designation, with FINRA Series 65, 66, or equivalent registration as required by the role's advisory scope.
• Working knowledge of retirement plan structures, IRS regulations governing 401(k) transactions, and tax planning fundamentals.
• Ability to assess client needs, explain complex financial concepts clearly, and adapt communication to individual circumstances.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with experience managing multiple client plans under deadline.
• Proven track record of building and maintaining a client book of business or managing an assigned client portfolio.

• Chartered Retirement Plan Consultant designation or additional FINRA licenses beyond the required Series registration.
• Experience facilitating financial education workshops, webcasts, or group seminars in a professional setting.
• Familiarity with financial planning software platforms used for needs-based assessments and retirement income modeling.
• Prior experience in a branch or team-based advisory environment, supporting senior advisors or branch managers.

• Client plan completion rate, measuring the share of assigned clients receiving a delivered financial plan.
• Book retention rate, reflecting how many clients remain active and engaged across a 12-month period.
• Plan accuracy and compliance audit score, tracking adherence to internal guidelines and regulatory standards.
• Seminar or outreach participation count, measuring engagement with prospects and clients outside one-to-one meetings.
• Cross-sell attachment rate, reflecting how often complementary products are appropriately recommended alongside core plans.
• Typical tools: Financial planning software (commonly MoneyGuidePro or Profiles), CRM platforms (commonly Salesforce or equivalent)

• Base Salary Range: $65,000 to $95,000 annually, depending on experience and market
• Bonus: performance-based, typically 10 to 20 percent of base tied to plan delivery and retention
• Equity: not standard at this level in most financial services firms
• Health Benefits: medical, dental, and vision coverage standard across most employers
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus standard federal holidays
• Common Perks: Continuing education reimbursement, CFP renewal support, licensing fee coverage

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background checks, including credit history review consistent with financial services regulatory requirements, are a standard condition of employment for this role. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Certified Financial Planner owns the end-to-end design and delivery of customized financial plans, from compiling client financial information to implementing recommendations across savings, insurance, and investment products. Working directly with clients as a trusted advisor, this role builds a prospecting pipeline that sustains long-term book-of-business growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Design customized financial plans suitable for each client based on potential life changes and changing financial needs.
• Aid clients in implementing financial recommendations such as savings plans, life insurance, mutual funds, and other financial products.
• Establish strong relationships with new clients as their trusted advisor and continuously identify, seek, and approach prospects.
• Research and provide financial advice and strategies that are suitable based on client risk tolerance and financial objectives.
• Compile each client's financial information to determine financial goals, financial status, cash flow, and financial expectations.

Required Qualifications

• CFP license required, FINRA Series 7 and 66 preferred, and Maryland Life and Health license required.
• 3+ years of experience in the insurance or financial advisory field.
• Proven track record of generating book of business.
• Relevant knowledge of the financial industry, financial products, best practices, and tax regulations.
• Computer proficiency including MS Office, Google Suite, CRM systems, and financial planning software.
• Excellent math, relationship, communication, and customer service skills.

Embedded within a remote advisory team, the Certified Financial Planner advises customers on the best financial products to meet their needs while cross-selling complementary solutions and achieving sales targets. Working closely with clients through every stage of the application process, this role delivers an outstanding customer experience with a high approval rate.

Core Functions

• Understand customer needs and advise on the best financial products to meet the needs.
• Support the client throughout the application process to provide a great customer experience with a high approval rate.
• Follow SOP throughout the process to ensure quality and accurate reporting.
• Update product knowledge in order to offer the right product to the right person at the right time.
• Cross-sell complementary products that improve the solution for the client.
• Achieve sales targets.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or higher.
• Valid CFP certificate required.
• Ability to work remotely and achieve targets with minimum oversight.
• Ability to use proprietary online application to submit applications.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Intermediate English required.
• Eagerness to provide outstanding customer experience and to exceed the sales target.

Reporting to Sales leadership, the Certified Financial Planner develops and delivers comprehensive retirement income plans and needs-based assessments using approved financial planning software. Partnering with internal sales representatives and producers, this role drives consistent client outcomes through training, compliance, and timely proposal management.

Primary Duties

• Advise customers and internal and external sales representatives on retirement income plan development, including explanation of product features and administrative procedures.
• Review and prepare comprehensive financial plans and needs-based assessments using approved financial planning software.
• Prepare alternatives and recommendations while framing the plan for presentation and delivery to the client.
• Partner with Sales to ensure awareness of open proposals with producers to drive status and outcome.
• Develop and conduct producer training in the corporate office and in the field.
• Research complex technical questions for sales force on products, planning issues, tax issues, Social Security, and other retirement financial concerns.
• Conduct periodic retirement planning seminars for customers and producers virtually and in person.
• Maintain detailed records of customer interactions, recommendations, and actions according to appropriate regulations.
• Compile marketing intelligence including sales activity, production, frequently asked questions, and objections raised by customers.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance.
• FINRA 6 license and CFP designation required, with additional licenses obtained within designated time periods as required.
• 2 years of experience in the financial services industry with specialization in financial planning.
• In-depth understanding of financial concepts, product knowledge, investment management, and client service strategies.
• Knowledge of Profiles, Money Guide Pro, or similar financial planning software.
• Superior analytical, organizational, research, and multi-tasking skills.

Sitting at the intersection of financial education and behavioral change, the Certified Financial Planner facilitates workshops, webcasts, and one-on-one coaching sessions using a proprietary methodology to help individuals improve their financial habits. Operating across product development, research, and direct client delivery, this role shapes the educational content and strategic direction of a leading unbiased workplace financial wellness program.

Duties

• Facilitate workshops, webcasts, one-on-ones, and phone-based financial coaching using a proprietary methodology designed to help individuals change their financial habits and behaviors.
• Develop new products, services, and curriculum, and continually innovate existing products and services.
• Analyze data and experiences to write articles and develop research on trends in personal finance.
• Leverage personal passions and talents to lead or contribute to emerging areas of the business.
• Deliver financial education programs covering topics from serious debt issues to advanced estate planning through in-person, online, phone, and group settings.

Experience and Qualifications

• CFP certification, current and active, required, with other designations considered a bonus.
• 10+ years of industry experience required.
• Thorough knowledge of all aspects of financial planning.
• Ability to gather research and compile data and information in a clear and usable format.
• Excellent public speaking skills, with experience facilitating financial workshops a plus.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness to forgo existing clients and planning practice to ensure 100% unbiased perspectives.

A key member of the Advisory Services team, the Certified Financial Planner receives inbound calls from retirement plan participants and delivers financial planning and investment advisory services within a call center environment. Collaborating across Benefits Center Customer Service teams, this role ensures a seamless participant experience from initial inquiry through account setup and ongoing advisory support.

Functions

• Receive inbound calls from retirement plan participants looking for assistance with financial planning and investment advisory services.
• Explain investment services available to inbound callers and direct them to the correct service.
• Interview individuals to gather required information, review planning suggestions, and deliver the financial plan.
• Make warm outbound calls to customers who have expressed interest in financial plan creation or advisory programs.
• Explain employer-based retirement plan requirements and basic IRS regulations related to 401(k) transactions.
• Interface with Benefits Center Customer Service teams to ensure a seamless customer experience.
• Record account openings and other transactions accurately in the record keeping database.

Position Requirements

• FINRA 65 or 66 required, CFP or Chartered Retirement Plan Consultant designation preferred.
• Experience in delivering financial planning and investment advisory services required.
• Experience in phone-based customer service, sales, or marketing preferred.
• Ability to educate callers on complex retirement and investment concepts.
• Strong rapport building and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to actively listen and ask relevant probing questions to assess customer needs.
• Ability to use data to persuade and influence customers to objectively guide them.

Delivering client-centered financial advice enables the Certified Financial Planner, who manages planning workflows and provides advanced support to Client Advisors and Branch Managers across investments, tax, pension, estate, and insurance. Based within a branch client service team alongside Investments and Family Wealth Services, this role ensures consistent client care standards while developing Associate Planners and Client Associates.

Accountabilities

• Provide advanced planning support to Client Advisor and Branch Manager in investments, tax, pension, estate, insurance, and general financial planning.
• Support client servicing by preparing for meetings, developing presentation materials, and providing reviews and ad hoc reporting.
• Manage the financial planning workflow to meet post-client meeting delivery deadlines.
• Establish and develop strong relationships with clients and participate in client meetings with Client Advisor and Branch Manager.
• Deliver financial planning advice in both supervised and unsupervised environments.
• Collaborate with team members and departments including Investments and Family Wealth Services.
• Provide support and training to Client Associates and Associate Planners.
• Ensure adherence to company standards of client care, meetings, referrals, and retention.

Background and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business, economics, accounting, or finance preferred.
• CFP designation required.
• At least 2 years of financial industry experience required, 3 to 4 years preferred.
• Technical and analytical experience in financial planning.
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, with experience in Salesforce and financial planning software preferred.
• Excellent verbal, written, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to tight deadlines in a team environment.

As the Certified Financial Planner, this role leads qualitative and quantitative client discussions, creates and presents financial plans, and maintains a provided book of business while advancing member outreach and thought leadership capabilities. The Senior Manager relies on this work to ensure all plans meet internal guidelines and that clients receive expert guidance across wealth management, retirement planning, and investment services.

What You'll Do

• Work with clients on all aspects of their financial lives and lead qualitative and quantitative discussions through the use of online tools.
• Create and present financial plans along with scheduling necessary follow-up meetings.
• Act as a subject matter expert for both clients and internal departments, working with all levels of staff.
• Ensure financial plans adhere to all internal guidelines and provide appropriate financial planning guidance.
• Participate in and lead financial planning seminars and webinars over time, with some travel required.
• Maintain a book of business by offering financial planning and investment services to clients.
• Participate in developing and executing the annual business plan for Financial Planning.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree and CFP designation required.
• At least 2 years of experience in preparing and delivering financial plans strongly preferred.
• Solid understanding of wealth management, global markets, and financial planning.
• Strong consultative, listening, and analytical skills with past experience in relationship management desired.
• Strong problem-solving capabilities and ability to develop creative solutions to complex problems.
• Collaborative approach and ability to work with cross-functional teams.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality required.