The Graduate Pathway
A Paraplanner academy for graduates looking for a career in the the Financial Advice industry
The Pathway is currently closed
What's the role of a Paraplanner?
A paraplanner undertakes the research, analysis and preparation of financial advice recommendations on behalf of Financial Advisers, who in turn presents the recommendations to clients. The recommendations are highly compliant and are in line with the Financial Conduct Authority regulatory requirements. A paraplanner works closely with Financial Advisers in creating high quality recommendations for clients. The role has become very technical over the years and is now a recognised profession in its own right, with the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) even creating its very own examination.
The Pathway
We have designed a graduate pathway to allow you to achieve Chartered Paraplanner status within 5 years.
You will initially join us on a 6 month probationary period as a Replacement Analyst and commence learning the financial services industry through internal accreditations, professional exams and structured practical on the job training. You will get involved in day to day tasks supporting the Synergy team and getting to grips with how Synergy operate. After a successful six month probationary period (including passing your first CII exam) you may be one of the lucky ones to commence the next phase of your development with us. This will include getting to grips with the advice journey and the analysis and construction of new business recommendations.
After a successful year one you will be promoted to an Associate Paraplanner and the practical training and study support will continue over the next two years. By the end of year three you will have gained more knowledge and experience around financial advice and will be exposed to all the complex recommendations. You will also have achieved the status of DipPFS by passing the CII Regulated Diploma in Financial Planning and Certificate in Paraplanning. At this stage you will be promoted to full Paraplanner level.
After successful year four you will be promoted to Senior Paraplanner after passing the CII AF8 Retirement Income Planning exam and will become a key decision maker in developing Synergy for the future.
By year 5 and successful completion of the final three Advance Diploma exams you will achieve Chartered status.
Show us the Money!!
Starting salary of £17,750, increasing to £20,000 by end of probationary period assuming you have met your targets called Key Performance Indicators (KPI's).
Salary increases as your training and experience increases.
By end of year three you would be looking at circa £27,000 increasing further if Senior and Chartered status attained to over £30,000.
Benefits
What's on top of salary?
21 days holiday.
All the bank holidays including Easter and Christmas.
If a birthday falls on a working day, not a problem you can have that off as well.
Membership of the company pension scheme after probationary period.
Death in Service cover after year one.
Funding provided for CII Regulated Diploma in Financial Planning, Certificate in Paraplanning and Certificate in Pension Transfers.
Flexible working - opportunity to Work From Home at least part of the week.
Dress code is casual, unless visiting a clients office.
Regular nights out including Christmas.
Exam Support
As mentioned above we will provide financial support whilst you sit the following CII Regulated Diploma in Financial Planning and the Certificate in Paraplanning modules:-
R01 Financial services, regulation & ethics
RO2 Investment principles and risk
RO3 Personal taxation
R04 Pensions and retirement planning
R05 Financial protection
R06 Financial planning practice
J09 Paraplanning
AF7 Pension Transfers
We will also designate study time within the working week to allow you to hit the books. Designated study time will continue if you wish to progress to sit the Advance Diploma in Financial Planning.
What are we looking for?
What is Synergy looking for in a graduate?
- We are looking for a minimum 2:2 Honours Degree, preferable in a related industry to Financial Services; however its not a show stopper for us if your degree is not related! We are more interested in whether you are enthusiastic about a career in Financial Advice.
- Solid exam success in relation to English and Mathematics whilst at school.
- You will also have the following characteristics-
- Forensic attention to detail.
- Friendly and confident phone and face to face manner.
- A team player willing to support others and go the extra mile for the team and our clients.
- Be able to think out of the box and use your own initiative to solve problems
- Have a drive and hunger to hit monthly KPI milestones.
- Great time management and we don't just mean turning up on time, we also mean being efficient and effective whilst at work, - smart working.
- Real appetite to learn and take onboard feedback.
Application Process
Stage 1
Send us a message using the below contact form and we will get in touch
Stage 2
If you progress past Stage 1 we will ask you to send us your latest CV and we will arrange an informal chat
Stage 3
We will then ask you to sit an English and Mathematics assessment so we can get a feel for your potential
Stage 4
Formal interview and then you can breath!
Looking to apply?
