Financial Planning Assistant

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 continuous growth, we are now recruiting for two Financial Planning Assistants to join our Penrith office and wider Financial Planning Service Line. 

The main purpose of this position is to provide first line administrative support to our Financial Planning Consultants, as well as be the main point of contact for a bank of clients. 

The main elements of this role will include:

• Providing relevant documentation to the Financial Planning Consultant ahead of client meetings
• Responding to client queries
• Liaising with Life offices and providers
• Maintaining client records on Xplan
• Ensuring accurate completion of compliance requirements
• Ensuring the administrative requirements are completed for the Client Review Process

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:

• Experience of working in an administrative capacity for an organisation in Financial Services (desirable not essential requirement) 
• Extensive administrative and customer service experience
• Organised and comfortable with managing diaries / scheduling appointments 
• Excellent communication skills (in both written and verbal forms) and a passion for delivering exemplary service to clients
• Comfortable working in a fast paced environment
• A dedicated team player, and willing to assist colleagues in the team where possible
• Able to prioritise workloads under strict deadlines and use initiative to solve problems
• General IT skills
• Ambition to study towards professional qualifications (which we will support) to gain knowledge and understanding relevant to the position
• A Full UK Driving Licence (desirable not essential requirement) 

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.