Financial Advisor Trainee - Pcg (Decatur, Al)

Through distance learning, apprenticeship and training at the firm’s international headquarters, the Advisor Mastery Program (AMP) offers a comprehensive education for the next generation of Raymond James Financial Advisors. The program takes a holistic approach by incorporating training for technical and sales skills to fully position new Advisors for success.

In conjunction with a Mentor, Branch Manager, and/or a team of Financial Advisors, the Financial Advisor Trainee will learn to build an individual practice. The Trainee will balance new client development, sales activities, investment management, customer service and compliance with personal and professional growth and development. The Trainee will also provide clients with sound financial advice and counsel consistent with the client’s objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance. In addition, the requirements of the AMP Program are designed to support long-term development, whether a candidate plans to be a stand-alone Advisor or join an existing team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Become trained and skilled to effectively and efficiently perform the Financial Advisor role:

• Recommends investment products, solutions, and services that are suitable for prospects and clients based on predetermined client needs, time horizons, risk profile, and preferences.
• Provides a high level of client service.
• Obtains and verifies the customer's purchase and sale instructions, enters orders, and follows up on completion of transactions.
• Develops a book of business consistent with AMP program goals for assets under management and required production.
• If hired as a team candidate, the team will provide the specific goals and expectations.
• Manages the full scope of a client relationship by evaluating the client’s financial needs, investment opportunities, current holdings and available investment capital.
• Meets production targets that impact overall company revenue goals.
• Seeks expertise of internal resources to identify investment opportunities and solutions for clients.
• Completes required program training and assignments, obtains mandatory industry licenses within prescribed timeframes, masters assessments and meets minimum performance and production standards.
• Stays abreast of investment products, industry rules and regulations, and financial planning.
• Maintains appropriate account records while monitoring the customer's portfolio.
• Opens, transfers, and closes customer accounts.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Develops client pipeline by prospecting, networking, engaging in community initiatives, centers of influence and developing niches.
• Makes recommendations consistent with changes in economic and financial conditions as well as the client's needs and objectives, considering newly offered investments.
• Helps clients identify their investment objectives by effectively communicating portfolio losses when necessary, while preserving client loyalty.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Financial markets, banking, and financial data analysis and reporting.
• Firm’s working structure, policies, mission, strategies, and compliance guidelines.
• Economic and accounting principles and practices.
• Basic principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services.

Skill in:

• Identifying the needs of customers through effective questioning and listening techniques.
• Operating client relationship manager system and other required software applications to produce financial plans, correspondence, reports, electronic communication, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:

• Demonstrate persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Network in the community and effectively market him or herself and Raymond James.
• Accept criticism and deal calmly and effectively in high stress situations.
• Organize, manage, and track multiple detailed tasks and assignments with frequently changing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced work environment to run an optimal practice.
• Persevere, handle rejection and show resilience during the prospecting and networking process.
• Keep all appropriate parties up-to-date on decisions, changes, and other relevant information, and articulate reasons behind decisions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Use appropriate interpersonal styles and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with all organizational levels.
• Continuously learn investment products, industry rules and regulations, and financial planning.

Educational/Previous Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university preferred with a minimum of three (3) years of relevant working experience, demonstrating achievement in sales (preferably intangible) or business environments.

~or~

• An equivalent combination of experience, education, and/or training as approved by Human Resources.

Licenses/Certifications:

• SIE required provided that an exemption or grandfathering cannot be applied.
• Life, Health and Variable Annuity or the ability to obtain within six (6) months from the start of the program.
• Series 7 and Series 66 or the ability to obtain them within four (4) months from the start of the program.

• Grow professionally and inspire others to do the same
• Make prompt, pragmatic choices and act with the client in mind
• Contribute to the continuous evolution of the firm
• Take ownership and hold themselves and others accountable for delivering results that matter
• Work with and through others to achieve desired outcomes