Financial Planning Trainee Review

Responsible for helping the financial planners deliver a quality service to their clients. This would generally mean drafting simple client recommendation reports on how clients should invest their assets. This would then be discussed with the financial planner who is responsible for the client. The report would then be amended. You are also required to undertake ad-hoc tasks to help out the running of the business such as updating the client information system.

Developed my knowledge of financial planning considerably, largely due to the intense training that you undergo towards the start of the placement. This is complimented by the fact that you are required to study for, and complete exams in financial planning which go towards becoming diploma qualified in financial planning. Developed my office working skills and collaboration, especially with differing age groups and backgrounds.

Not to start with, but this was largely due to the fact that we were still undergoing training in financial planning which took up a large majority of the time. It seemed only fair that we learnt about financial planning before being handed some real responsibility.

There was a lot of support available throughout the start of the placement with one of the managers sitting in earshot of the workspace meaning that you were able to ask them any questions you had. The guidance fell off somewhat in the wake of Covid as everything was very disrupted and uncertain.

Pleasant company culture. Generally discouraged from working unhealthy hours so as to maintain a good work life balance. There was a good amount of placement students and graduates that underwent training together which made the atmosphere much better and more relaxed.

Found it really engaging and interesting, especially when we were being trained. The responsibility and freedom increased as the placement went on which allowed me to enjoy the placement more. The end of the placement was very disrupted due to Covid and the responsibilities that I was given massively tailed off. However, I wouldn't say this is the fault of the company as such.

Yes

You don't have to have specific financial planning experience to apply. Lots of different factors are taken into account in the application process. The work life balance is good which makes for an ideal company to work for if you don't want to burn out. The development prospects are great with a clear path to the top mapped out from early on in the process.