Paraplanner (Junior or Senior)

Role overview

The client is an independent, FAIS-licensed financial advisory practice based in Walmer, Gqeberha, providing financial planning advice to private clients across risk, estate, investment and retirement planning.

The Paraplanner provides the technical backbone behind the advice the practice delivers, turning client information into accurate, compliant and well-researched recommendations using the six-step financial planning process. The role carries real responsibility for client files, calculations and advice documentation, working alongside the advising planner rather than behind a queue of admin.

The practice is open to appointing at either junior or senior level, and the successful candidate will be given a path towards broader financial planning responsibility and practice management over time. This is an office-based position with no remote or hybrid option.

Key responsibilities

• Provide advice support across risk, estate, investment and retirement plans, following the six-step financial planning process.
• Perform financial calculations to support recommendations.
• Conduct market and product research.
• Support the preparation of financial advice documentation, including financial needs analyses, records of advice and proposals.
• Manage client files independently, with accuracy and compliance front of mind.
• Work closely with the advising planner to prepare for and follow up on client meetings.
• Progressively take on the broader aspects of independent financial advice and practice management.

Minimum requirements

• A BCom in Financial Planning, Accounting, Law or General, or a similar tertiary qualification. Relevant industry experience will be considered in place of a degree.
• Strong analytical skills and excellent attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Adaptable to new technology and comfortable using AI tools in day-to-day work.
• Ability to perform financial calculations accurately.
• Ability to conduct market and product research.
• A genuine interest in, and aptitude for, supporting the preparation of financial advice.
• Willingness to learn every aspect of independent financial advice and practice management.

Preferred qualifications

• Prior paraplanning, advice-support or financial services administration experience.
• CFP® studies underway or completed.
• Experience researching risk, estate, investment or retirement products specifically.

Junior or senior: how the requirements scale

The practice will consider candidates at either level. The difference sits in technical depth and independence rather than in the scope of the work.

Junior Paraplanner

• A BCom in Financial Planning, Accounting, Law or a similar tertiary qualification, or relevant industry experience.
• Developing technical knowledge, working under closer supervision while building product and process knowledge.
• Building report-writing and file-management skills.
• Learning to apply the six-step financial planning process in practice.
• CFP® studies not yet required.

Senior Paraplanner

• The same qualification base, plus a demonstrated track record in paraplanning or advice support, typically two to three years or more.
• Strong, independent technical knowledge across risk, estate, investment and retirement products, needing minimal oversight.
• Confident, polished report writing, managing a full client-file caseload independently.
• Applies the six-step process fluidly and is able to mentor a junior paraplanner.
• Progress towards, or completion of, the CFP® designation or an equivalent is a strong advantage.

Skills and competencies

• Accurate financial calculation and analysis.
• Clear, compliant advice documentation and report writing.
• Structured research across product providers and the wider market.
• Independent client-file management with a compliance mindset.
• Practical use of AI tools to support research and drafting.

Personal attributes

Someone methodical and genuinely detail-driven, who takes ownership of a client file from start to finish and is comfortable being the person the planner relies on for technical accuracy. The practice is looking for a long-term appointment: a candidate who wants to build deep technical skill and grow into full financial planning responsibility rather than treat paraplanning as a holding position.

Who this suits

A graduate in financial planning, accounting or law looking for a first serious technical role in an independent practice, or an established paraplanner who wants a broader mandate and a route towards advising in their own right.

Remuneration and working arrangements

R12,000 to R14,000 per month, negotiable on experience. Office-based in Walmer, Gqeberha, Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00. Permanent, full-time appointment.