Paraplanner

About Padua Financial Group

Padua Solutions is a Software & Services firm specialising in supporting financial advisers, practices and licensees in providing high quality financial advice. Padua was founded in late 2013 by siblings Anne-Marie and Matthew Esler. Padua is focussed on solving four of the financial advice industry's key challenges – time, cost, quality and trust. Padua's purpose is: "We create more value" and Padua's vision is: "To provide solutions for better financial advice". Padua connects financial advisers with highly skilled resources via intelligent, proprietary technology. Padua have developed a sophisticated data engine and visual dashboards to deliver Padua's highly sought-after advice data in real-time. Padua Software and Services are used by leading financial services firms including: Findex, Count, AMP, and Fiducian.

Purpose of the role

Responsible for providing timely, professional and high-quality Statement of Advice (SOA) documents for use by financial planner dealer groups, licensees and advisers. In addition, look to continually improve the efficiencies of the team in producing advice documentation especially through the collaboration of Padua's Technology team. This role is offered on a permanent full time or part time basis to experienced paraplanners who are interested in working within a dynamic and growing company within a team of paraplanners. It is preferable that candidates are proficient in financial planning software systems (especially Xplan) and hold Financial Planning specific accreditation. This role is designed to work in conjunction with the completion of further studies where required.

This role will be based from either our Kiama or Sydney offices.

Core responsibilities

• Prepare professional, comprehensive and high quality SOAs in a timely manner
• Ensure compliance throughout the preparation and delivery of all SOA documentation
• When required, analyse and adjust product and strategy recommendations within prescribed constraints
• Meet minimum productivity and quality standards
• Prioritise SOA production in order of importance based on the team's assessment
• Assist in resolving client enquiries and building relationships with Padua's network of dealer groups and advisers
• Working with the Padua's Technology team in continually seeking to identify ways of improving services offered
• Developing strong relationships with paraplanning team members and management to facilitate effective teamwork
• Facilitating problem solving
• Identify inefficient processes and workflows and develop new procedural ideas to enhance the process and service offering
• Assist with testing of new and developing products and provide feedback.
• Adhere to the Australian Privacy Principles and ensure client confidentiality at all times
• Report any actual or potential breaches of law that are identified in the course of performing duties
• Maintain high levels of technical knowledge and keep up to date with current developments and trends in the financial services industry
• Participate in team presentations and meetings when required
• Maintain professional standards in accordance with Padua's principals of professional practice

Skills, knowledge and abilities

• Extensive knowledge of the financial planning advice process and the preparation of clear and concise advice documentation
• A genuine and keen interest in financial planning especially in the preparation of advice
• Able to clearly demonstrate superior levels of technical and financial skill, including financial modelling
• Excellent communication skills in both writing reports and discussing matters orally

Willingness to engage in continuous learning to ensure currency of knowledge and skills

• Takes personal accountability for delivering timely, accurate and high-quality outcomes
• Able to build and develop a wide network of productive relationships with both internal team members and external clients
• Tertiary or post-graduate Financial Planning qualification and/or RG146 compliance in the areas of superannuation, insurance and investments
• 3 years' minimum experience in the preparation of SOAs, calculations and modelling
• Demonstrated experience in using financial planning modelling and plan writing software (XPlan including Risk Researcher, Wealthsolver and xTools+)
• A broad understanding of key technical issues relating to superannuation, retirement income streams, investments, insurance, taxation and estate planning
• Actively seeks information on the latest developments and trends in the financial services industry
• Advanced keyboard and computer skills
• Thorough knowledge of job-related PC applications including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook as well utilising the Internet proficiently.

Important Information

Padua undertakes its responsibility seriously in regard to security of our client's data. All final applicants for this position will be asked to consent to a criminal record check prior to an offer of employment. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.