Financial Planner Job Description, Skills, and Key Responsibilities
A financial planner helps people and small business owners create financial plans to meet short-term needs as well as achieve long-term financial goals.
Job Description and Overview
- Assess clients’ assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives
- Develop and implement comprehensive financial plans for clients based on their financial status and objectives
- Recommend financial products such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, and real estate investments
- Research investment opportunities, maintain knowledge of financial planning regulations and laws
- Regularly review plans and portfolios, and make adjustments to account for any changes in clients’ needs or life circumstances
Main Responsibilities of a Financial Planner
The key responsibilities of financial planners typically include:
- Meeting with clients to understand their unique financial situation, objectives, and risk appetite
- Analyzing clients’ finances, assets, investments, insurance policies, tax returns, estate plans, and other information
- Identifying problematic areas for improvement and developing strategies to optimize financial health
- Creating comprehensive short-term and long-term financial plans tailored to each client’s goals
- Recommending and guiding clients on investments, asset allocation, risk management, cash flow, education funds, retirement planning, tax strategies, and estate planning
- Remaining updated on finance-related laws, regulations, and policies to provide clients with accurate information and advice
- Regularly reviewing clients’ accounts and plans, adjusting recommendations as required
- Referring clients to legal, tax, or other specialists as needed for coordination and implementation of recommendations
Requirements and Skills to Become a Financial Planner
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, accounting, economics or related major
- A Master’s degree may be preferred by some employers
Certifications and Licenses
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
- Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Key Skills and Personal Attributes
- Excellent analytical, logical thinking and math skills
- Strong listening, communication and advisory skills
- High attention to detail and accuracy
- Empathetic with the ability to develop trust-based relationships
- Ethical with a commitment to clients’ best interests
Financial Planner Job Description Template
We are seeking a highly skilled Financial Planner to provide customized financial planning and analysis services to clients. The Financial Planner will be responsible for assessing client financial situations, developing comprehensive plans, and providing ongoing advice related to investments, insurance, taxes, retirement, estate planning, and other areas.
Role and Responsibilities
- Meet face-to-face with clients to understand their financial situation, objectives, risk appetite, investment knowledge, tax considerations, etc.
- Analyze client financial statements, accounts, assets and liabilities, insurance policies, investment portfolios, tax returns, and other documents to assess overall financial health
- Identify issues or gaps and develop written financial plans detailing customized recommendations and solutions
- Create and implement short-term and long-range financial management plans based on analysis of client’s current situation, goals, risk tolerance and economic conditions
- Recommend specific financial products and services such as securities, insurance policies, mortgage options, estate plans, college savings vehicles and tax management strategies
- Monitor client accounts and plans, update plans and adjust recommendations as needed over time
- Proactively address new financial planning opportunities with existing clients
- Keep up to date with finance-related laws, regulations, and trends to provide clients with reliable advice
Requirements/Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, accounting or economics discipline
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP) credential
- 2+ years experience in financial planning or analysis role
- Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- High attention to detail and accuracy
- Basic knowledge of tax, retirement, insurance, and investment principles
Financial Planner Career FAQs
What does a financial planner do?
A financial planner helps individuals and families meet their current money needs and achieve long-term financial security. They provide advice on investments, insurance, mortgages, taxes, retirement, college savings and estate planning. Financial planners guide clients on how best to save, spend and grow their money.
What qualifications do you need to be a financial planner?
Most financial planner roles require a bachelor’s degree, specialized training and certifications. Common credentials are Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). Many financial planners have degrees in finance, accounting, business, economics or related majors.
What skills are important for financial planners?
Key skills include analytical ability, math and logic, investment expertise, attention to detail, communication skills, ethics and the capacity to explain complex concepts clearly to diverse clients. Building trust-based relationships is vital.
What does a financial planner earn?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for personal financial advisors is approximately $94,170. Financial planners can earn $45,000 to $200,000+ depending on role, experience level, location and employer. Commission-based pay may apply in some firms.
How can you gain experience to become a financial planner?
Gaining hands-on expertise through internships, trainee programs or junior roles in finance, insurance or advisory services can provide excellent preparation to transition into a financial planner career. Many employers also offer training programs. Volunteering to help people with money issues or pro bono clinics is also useful.