Regional Financial Planning Manager

About Us

Armstrong Watson are a trusted and leading independent Accountancy and Business Advisory firm based in the North of England and Scotland. Our services and advice are all centred around our Quest to support our clients to achieve prosperity, a secure future and peace of mind, which cannot be achieved without the expertise of our dedicated and valued colleagues.

With approximately 800 colleagues situated across 19 offices, our people and our culture are at the heart of what we do. We recognise the unique impact we have on not only our clients, but also our colleagues, and the communities in which we operate. Our success is dependent on every colleague embracing all four of our core values: Honesty, Humanity, Trust and Passion.

The Role

As a result of continued growth and in line with our "Crazy Goal" which is for "Armstrong Watson to be known as the best Accounting and Financial Advisory firm to deal with, delivering the best client experience in the UK", we are now recruiting for a Regional Financial Planning Manager to join our team in Cumbria.

The successful candidate can be based in either Carlisle, Penrith or Kendal, but this position requires them to be present at each Cumbrian office on a regular basis to ensure positive collaboration across all teams.

The main elements of this role will include:

• Working with clients to understand their objectives and provide comprehensive robust solutions to help meet these objectives
• Ensuring high-quality ongoing advice is provided to all clients
• Ensuring individual revenue targets are achieved
• Leading and managing a team of Financial Planning Consultants in terms of both performance management and Training & Competence (T&C) to deliver agreed advisory and commercial objectives
• Building and maintaining relationships with Partners, Directors and Managers with an emphasis for ongoing business development
• Leading the recruitment process when required for new team members
• Ensuring compliance and requirements and standards are met
• Identifying opportunities to refer clients to AW for wider services where appropriate
• Actively contributing to the strategy and day to day running of Armstrong Watson Financial Planning Limited

Please note that we will not be accepting candidates from agency suppliers in connection with this vacancy.

The Candidate

In order to fulfil the responsibilities of the position, we would like candidates to be / have:

• A Full UK Driving Licence
• A Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning (minimum requirement)
• A Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning (desirable)
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of Business Standards - Conduct of Business (COBS)
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of High Level Standards - Code of Conduct (COCON)
• Minimum industry experience of 3 years in an advisory role
• Good knowledge and understanding of FCA Money Laundering Section of the System & Controls Sourcebook (SYSC)
• Basic knowledge of other Accountancy services, including Audit, Tax, Insolvency, Corporate Finance, VAT and Accounting
• Excellent communication skills, in both verbal and written forms
• Able to prioritise workloads under strict deadlines and work well under pressure
• General IT skills
• Good attention to detail to ensure that reports are compiled to the highest possible quality

The Benefits

In return for your hard work helping us shape our future growth and development; we will provide a competitive salary and a positive benefits package which includes:

• Salary Sacrifice Employer Contribution Pension Scheme including Life Cover (4x salary) and Income Protection
• Competitive Annual Leave entitlement up to 26 days, plus Bank Holidays
• Annual Leave Purchase Scheme allowing you to buy up to 5 additional days annual leave each year
• Smart Working Policy, giving you the ability to balance home and remote working
• Health Shield Cash Plan (cash back on a range of Health benefits and discounts on holidays, fashion and entertainment)
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential support for wellbeing and health)
• Paid flu jabs and eye tests
• Introductory Commission Scheme (financial reward if you refer a new client)
• Employee Referral Scheme (financial reward if you refer new AW colleagues) enabling you to claim up to £2,500 for each referral
• Ongoing access to online training courses and materials
• Paid professional membership fees
• Charity of the Month
• Colleague of the Month
• Subsidised social events throughout the year

In addition to all the benefits you would expect from an award winning employer, you will be given the utmost encouragement and support to develop your career further.

When you're with us... we're with you.