paraplanner.

Some of the specific tasks of a paraplanner include:

• product research: as a paraplanner, you are given financial information from clients to analyse and recommend financial products. You obtain illustrations and find analytical software to analyse financial data and review a client’s existing investments. For instance, you analyse cash flow and determine favourable investment opportunities.
• implementing recommendations from the financial planner: once you identify the financial products or investments for a client to try out, the financial planner will review and discuss them with the client. When the client gives the go-ahead, you facilitate the processing of business transactions. For instance, you prepare clients’ data for various investment opportunities and the necessary documentation.
• preparing documentation and maintaining client files: as a paraplanner, you prepare and maintain detailed client records and files. You also prepare financial documentation for your colleagues. You ensure the documentation and filing procedures meet the organisational compliance standards. If the company uses software to manage the files, you enter client data into relevant databases.
• preparing the annual review: as a paraplanner, you analyse financial data at the end of the year and prepare reports for financial planners. You can recommend changes to the investment portfolio to improve the performance of client accounts.
• scheduling client meetings and performing administrative tasks: as a paraplanner, you receive phone calls and respond to emails. You also schedule meetings with clients and send invoices to clients. Sometimes, you perform other minor office duties like managing supplies.

As a paraplanner, you work in financial institutions or investment banks. Since you perform administrative work, you are likely to work in an office setting. You spend most of the day on your computer, analysing financial data and filling in the information in client files. While you spend most of the day indoors, you meet with clients when you are an experienced paraplanner. Paraplanners also attend workshops and conferences from time to time.

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include financial advisors, accountants and financial planners. You might also be working in close proximity to insurance brokers and mortgage advisors, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, finance analysts, credit officers, risk analysts and risk managers.

As a paraplanner in a full-time position, you can expect to work standard business hours from 9 am to 5 pm with occasional evening work for research or administrative tasks. There may be times when you need to work on weekends to complete your duties or attend workshops. Additionally, part-time and contract positions are also available for paraplanners.

As a paraplanner, there is a clear career path for advancement. You begin as a junior paraplanner and can work your way up to a senior paraplanner position. With further expertise and experience, you even have the opportunity to become a financial advisor or financial planner. In a banking setting, one can advance to roles such as a lending officer or higher management positions.

Finding your paraplanner job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:

• a wide variety of training and development opportunities
• an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
• a range of opportunities in your area
• get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
• temporary and permanent contracts

Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a paraplanner is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract every year with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

For those starting out as a paraplanner, an expected salary of $75,000 per year is typical for an entry-level position. With increasing experience, this number can rise to over $90,000 annually. Your earning potential will be influenced by the level of complexity in your tasks and your level of experience.

As a paraplanner, your role is to provide support to more experienced members of the financial planning team. This includes completing administrative tasks such as preparing financial documents, entering client data into software, and creating invoices. You may also need to follow up with clients via phone to verify information on their documentation. While you won't have direct customer interactions, your work is essential to the success of the team.

As a paraplanner, your job involves utilising strong administrative skills. You are responsible for maintaining client files through data entry and filing tasks, which helps keep the office running smoothly. Additionally, you must possess computer skills to accurately input client information into relevant databases.

If you're looking to enter the financial services industry, a career in paraplanning could be the ideal path for you. As a paraplanner, you'll handle back-office tasks and assist financial planners with document preparation. This will allow you to gain a comprehensive understanding of the industry and eventually advance to more lucrative finance advisory positions. Although your starting salary may be lower than other financial roles, there's potential for higher earnings in the long run.

You require a tertiary qualification to work as a paraplanner in New Zealand. You can start with a Certificate IV in financial services to learn how to prepare financial documents. If your career aspiration is to become a paraplanner, consider completing an advanced diploma in paraplanning. If you have plans to progress to a financial advisor role, consider completing a bachelor’s degree in financial planning.

Applying for a paraplanner job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our paraplanner job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.