Associate Advisor

https://abacus.applytojob.com/apply

This position will report to our Sebastopol, CA office location under a hybrid work model. The salary for this role is $65,000. Relocation expenses available.

Abacus is a progressive financial planning firm devoted to helping people expand what’s possible with money. We treat each other with the same level of care and respect we treat our clients – it’s why we offer unlimited vacation, flexible work hours (and location), six months of paid parental leave, $10,000 toward a CFP, and more.

This role is structured as an apprenticeship designed to make you the best financial advisor possible. You’ll take notes, participate in client meetings, and learn what it is to be an Abacus Financial Planner. If you’re eager to get your career in finance started, we are looking for you!

Your Life as an Associate:

• During your time as an Associate, you’ll learn not only the techniques of financial planning, but also the unique ways Abacus does business.
• You’ll work daily in Salesforce (our CRM), eMoney (our financial planning software), Box, DocuSign, GSuite, and more. (Comfort with change and new technology is key!)
• You’ll join client meetings, take notes, and make sure all follow-up tasks are completed on time.
• We are intentional about making sure our Associates have time to work on Special Projects to ensure a breadth of understanding of how our business works. You might write a blog post, help design a new planning technique or process, analyze a new portfolio for the investment committee, or build a new niche service for special needs children.
• Our associates are taught to work with client prospects in a caring and supportive manner. After learning the basics, you will be a part of our “matchmaking team” where you will be trained to help match up prospects with the advisor who would be the best match. This builds comfort with sales conversations without cold calling or setting unrealistic expectations for our newest advisors.
• If you don’t already have your CFP®, you’ll be tackling that in your off-time. And you may need to take a Series 65 exam, too.

Must-Haves:

• Good written and verbal communication is key in this role – you’ll be taking notes, talking to advisors, speaking with clients, and more.
• Project management skills are critical. Our associates are the “air traffic controllers” of client processes. You won’t know how to do every task, but you definitely can make sure they get done on time.
• This may sound obvious, but an unparalleled interest in financial planning is really important. Our advisors debate the intricacies of credit card points, have emotional conversations over GRATs, and have strong beliefs on projected inflation rates.
• An understanding and appreciation of our Core Values - we hope you live and breathe them like we do.
• We’re a certified B Corp committed to people and planet. If you dig those things, too, you belong with us!

• If you’re already a CFP®, or are already studying for the exam, that is groovy.
• Experience as a professional (even in a different profession!) is always an added bonus.

Due to COVID-19, we have instituted the following policies and procedures.

• Hiring: Our interview process is entirely remote.
• Vaccination:
• Abacus strongly encourages all non-client facing employees to receive the COVID vaccine and requires proof of full vaccination (including boosters), or proof of a valid exemption, for in-person office visits or group events. In cases where a valid exemption is approved, a mask will be required for office visits and group events.
• Abacus requires full COVID vaccination (including boosters) and proof of vaccination for this and other client-facing positions (regardless of current office operations). If proof of full vaccination or proof of a valid exemption is not received within 30 days of your first day, you will be terminated. In cases where a valid exemption is approved, a mask will be required for office visits, group events, and client interactions.
• Return to Work: For those assigned to an office location, most offices remain remote with some adopting a hybrid work schedule as employees see fit. We expect to return to the office in a hybrid capacity in summer 2022.