Financial Planning Associate

Financial Planning Associate Appian Wealth is hiring an experienced planner to develop recommendations for financial planning and help maintain existing client relationships. This role is largely client-facing and gives the candidate the opportunity to forge meaningful relationships with the firm’s clients. When not meeting with clients, the Financial Planning Associate will utilize Northwestern Mutual’s proprietary planning software and other cutting-edge industry tools to model various planning scenarios.About our firm: Appian Wealth is a comprehensive financial planning firm located in Washington, DC and serving a remote client base in 40+ states. The team is nationally recognized within Northwestern Mutual for elite sales levels and balanced production across various investment, insurance, and fee-based planning solutions. The team boasts a CFA Charterholder, RICP® Professional, as well as CFP® Professionals and creates a culture of learning. Team members are supported and rewarded (financially and otherwise) for excellence in financial planning acumen and obtaining credentials.Our values:• Committed to Lifelong Learning• Family Focused• Principled• Authentic• EmpoweringOur mission: Guiding driven, caring individuals on their road to financial freedom and achievement of their dreams.Essential duties: • Partnering with the lead advisor to maintain client relationships, leading certain client meetings independently as skills and licensing permit • Preparing comprehensive financial plans covering investments, insurance, retirement, college planning, tax considerations, cash flow, estate planning, and more• Modeling scenarios and creating sensitivity analyses such as retirement projections, Monte Carlo, and cash-flow stress tests• Maintain confidentialityQualifications:• 2+ years of relevant work experience in a financial planning, paraplanning, or client service role within wealth management, insurance, or a related field with a strong regulatory and compliance track record• FINRA Series 7 & 63 required (or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire)• Life & Health Insurance license required (or the willingness to obtain)• CFP® Professionals preferred. Candidates without CFP® credentials will be expected to earn the designation within 3 years of joining the team• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; polished presentation skills and comfort in client-facing settings• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment• Experience with firms like Northwestern Mutual or similar financial services environments strongly preferred• Commitment to provide fiduciary-level advice and act in the client’s best interestWhat We’re Looking For: • A strong learning mindset and intellectual curiosity• High level of ownership and follow-through• A team-oriented professional who thrives in a collaborative environment• Someone who takes pride in delivering exceptional client experience• Desire to grow into greater responsibility and advisory opportunitiesWork Environment: • Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM EST• Hybrid work arrangement – The team is located at 2001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006. Candidate can be located anywhere in US if they can commute to a local Northwestern Mutual office at least 51% of the workweek. • Highly collaborative, team-based environmentGrowth Path: This is an excellent opportunity for a paraplanner who wants client-facing experience and may desire a clear pathway to an advisor role while working within a well-capitalized firm that supports professional growth.Benefits:• Salary Range: $75,000 - $125,000, commensurate with experience and credentials• Bonus comp: 5-15% (individual & team metrics, paid annually)• Benefits – medical paid at 90% of premiums, dental, vision offered as well as parental leave.• Retirement - 401k w/ Roth contribution; 3% non-elective contribution• Paid time off – 15 days of PTO (increases with tenure) and 10 paid holidays annuallyCompetencies:• Interpersonal Communication: relates well to all kinds of people; ability to gain trust and successfully build relationships with others; orientation toward teamwork; builds appropriate rapport; uses diplomacy and tact; can navigate critical conversations. Strong ability in both writing and verbal communication.• Prioritization: spends his/her time and the time of others on what's is most important and effective; understands how to use time strategically and set aside distractions; can quickly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal; eliminates roadblocks; creates focus with self and team.• Good Judgment: makes better decisions than most. Ability to combine personal qualities with relevant knowledge and experience to form opinions and make decisions. Listening well to others with undivided attention understanding what is and is not said. • Self-Starter: has the initiative and ability to work independently. This needn't mean working on their own; but rather being able to operate effectively without needing too much supervision. Able to think critically and solve problems.• Detail Orientation: he/she pays close attention to all the small particulars when working on a task or project; completes each assignment as flawlessly as possible before moving on to the next task