Financial Planning Associate - Walnut Creek, CA

Summary 
The Financial Planning Associate works closely with advisors to create, update, analyze, and deliver tailored 
financial plans to clients within the region. This role focuses on developing and maintaining strong client 
relationships, overseeing financial planning processes, and contributing to the firm’s service offerings. 
Duties and Responsibilities

Client Relationship & Plan Development
• Client Engagement: Work with advisors on clients with assets under management between $1 million and 
$2 million to build comprehensive financial plans. Consult with the Financial Planning Manager for clients 
with assets of $2 million and more complex financial plans.
• Financial Plan Creation: Lead the creation of detailed, customized financial plans, including tax planning, 
retirement planning, estate planning, investment strategies, and more.
• Plan Review & Implementation: Review client data, present to clients, and assist in preparing action plans 
based on financial recommendations. Help implement financial strategies and track progress.
Team Support & Process Improvement
• Process Management: Manage and maintain the financial planning process, including reviewing gathered 
data, inputting financial plans, creating assumptions, generating scenarios, and conducting internal reviews, 
and presenting client meetings. Ensure all deliverables are accurate and timely.
• Team Collaboration: Work with other team members and departments to improve systems, enhance 
workflows, and develop processes that help increase client satisfaction and drive service excellence.
• Mentorship & Leadership: Assist the Financial Planning Manager in mentoring Financial Planning 
Interns, guiding them in financial planning processes and firm culture.
• Document Organization: Organize and maintain client documents, ensuring that they are uploaded to 
appropriate systems and databases. Maintain and troubleshoot connections for client personal financial 
websites.

Strategic Involvement & Support
• Mergers and Acquisitions Support: Collaborate with the Director of Financial Planning, Associate 
Director of Financial Planning, and Financial Planning Manager in the firm’s mergers and acquisitions 
efforts, including staff training and integration.
• Ongoing Analysis & Research: Continuously research financial trends, opportunities for optimization, and 
market changes to ensure the firm’s offerings remain competitive and up-to-date.
Training & Professional Development
• Ongoing Training: Participate in continuous professional development, including onboarding, bi-weekly 
department training, monthly continuing education opportunities, and a dedicated professional development 
hour.

Additional Responsibilities
• Legislative Awareness: Stay updated on legislation changes (e.g., SECURE Act 2.0) and educate the firm 
on potential impacts.
• Software & Process Improvements: Evaluate and implement updates to the financial planning tools and 
software used by the team, ensuring they remain efficient and effective.
• Service Offering Development: Join and actively participate in the development of new service offerings 
tailored to the regional client base, enhancing the firm’s capabilities in wealth management

•Certifications: Certified Financial Planner designation or coursework in progress toward meeting the experience requirement for the CFP. If not holding the Certifications: Certified Financial Planner designation or coursework in progress toward meeting the experience requirement for the CFP. If not holding the CFP designation, Series 65 exam completion within 90 days of joining the firm.
• Experience: 0-2 years of experience in financial services or a related field.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in financial planning software is preferred (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, 
Office Suite, Tamarac, eMoney, Money Guide Pro, Social Security Analyzer, Advisys, Zilculator, 
Holistiplan, Planner CS, Monday.com). Ability to learn and adapt to new systems and softwares. 
• Client Relationship Skills: Strong ability to build and maintain long-term client relationships and provide 
tailored financial advice.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present 
complex financial strategies clearly.
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work effectively within a team, demonstrating collaboration and 
relationship-building skills.
• Independent Worker: Ability to work independently, managing multiple tasks and deadlines with minimal 
supervision.
• Attention to Detail: Strong eye for detail, ensuring accuracy in all financial planning processes and 
documents.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to address challenges quickly and effectively, ensuring client satisfaction and 
smooth workflow.
• Education: Bachelor's degree

Compensation: Our base pay$70,000.00 - $93,500.00 (per year)

What We Offer

We offer a highly competitive suite of holistic benefits designed to help our team members balance their personal and professional life commitments. These include options designed to encourage employee's health, happiness, and financial well-being.

• 11 Paid Holidays + 2 floating holidays

• 3 Weeks PTO

• Paid Volunteer Time

• Paid Parental Leave 

• Flexible Work Schedule

• Highly subsidized Health, Dental, and Vision Plans

• 401k Retirement Account with company match contributions

• Free Mental Health services, Life Insurance, Long & Short-Term Disability Insurance

• Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts

• Employee Financial Education

• Employee Educational Expense Reimbursement

• Employee Charitable Donations

• Employee Referral Incentives

• Employee Team Building Activities

• Employee Assistance Program

EPWA is an equal opportunity employer. Prospective employees will receive consideration without discrimination because of race, creed, color, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military and veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.