Trainee Paraplanner

Experience before exams

We are the financial planning arm of Dodd & Co Accountants. Dodd & Co has been in Cumbria since 1981 and Dodd Wealthcare was set up in 2015. We are directly authorised by the FCA (FRN 921450), whole of market, chartered-led, and pointedly not being built to sell to a consolidator.

Our paraplanning team is growing because people are progressing: into compliance, into advice, up the ladder. That has opened a paraplanner role, and we are widening who we will consider for it. We care about what you have done, not just what you have passed.

Who this is for

Two kinds of person fit this role.

You have two or more years in IFA client administration, you have already started to pick up paraplanning work, and you want to make the step properly. You may have an RO exam or two, or none yet.

Or you have years of paraplanning experience, you know the work inside out, and you never finished the Level 4, or exams are not the direction you want to go. We would rather have your experience than wait for a certificate.

What you will do

Prepare suitability and review reports, cashflow analysis and product research across pensions, investments, trusts and protection, with support while you build up.

Handle pension switches (excluding DB) and investment switches, moving on to trust-based work as you develop.

Maintain accurate, compliant client records on Intelligent Office to FCA, GDPR and Consumer Duty standards.

Work alongside our advisers and paraplanners, and share what you know with the client-services team.

What we are looking for

Two or more years in IFA client administration, ideally already doing some paraplanning, or an experienced paraplanner without the full Level 4.

Comfortable with pension and investment paperwork and keen to take on the technical side.

Some exposure to Intelligent Office, CashCalc or FE Analytics, or quick to learn.

A team player who thrives in a close-knit, time-recorded firm.

Commutable to Carlisle or Penrith, or open to relocating.

Room to grow

We are hiring at trainee or paraplanner level. Whichever you are, this is a firm that develops its people: funded CII / CISI exams and study support, mentoring, a clear paraplanner career ladder, and a real internal route to adviser for those who want it. Our advisers include people who came up through admin and paraplanning here.

Working life

Core hours are just 10 to 12 and 2 to 4. Around those, you set your own pattern within a 7am to 7pm window. Time built up in your flexi pot can be taken as a half day anywhere in the week without using holiday. Hybrid working, up to three days from home once settled, with fixed office days.

The package

Competitive salary based on your level of experience. Overtime paid at time and a half on chargeable hours. Five per cent employer pension. Up to 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, rising with service and Dexi time. Funded CII / CISI exams and study support. Hybrid working and flexi time.

How to apply

Apply on this post, or for a confidential conversation contact Mark Penswick at Antony George Recruitment, our retained partner for this search: Sign in to view email, or message Mark on LinkedIn. Every conversation is confidential.