Financial Planning Associate - Walnut Creek, CA

EP Wealth Advisors, LLC•Walnut Creek, CA

About The Position

EP Wealth Advisors (EPWA) is a wealth management advisory firm with over $42.2 billion as of December 31, 2025, serving predominately high net worth individuals. EPWA fosters an inclusive environment that offers opportunities for our associates to learn, grow and enhance their skills to take on new challenges to progress in their professional careers. Summary The Financial Planning Associate works closely with advisors to create, update, analyze, and deliver tailored financial plans to clients within the region. This role focuses on developing and maintaining strong client relationships, overseeing financial planning processes, and contributing to the firm’s service offerings.

Requirements

Certifications: Certified Financial Planner designation or coursework in progress toward meeting the experience requirement for the CFP. If not holding the Certifications: Certified Financial Planner designation or coursework in progress toward meeting the experience requirement for the CFP. If not holding the CFP designation, Series 65 exam completion within 90 days of joining the firm.
Experience: 0-2 years of experience in financial services or a related field.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in financial planning software is preferred (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Office Suite, Tamarac, eMoney, Money Guide Pro, Social Security Analyzer, Advisys, Zilculator, Holistiplan, Planner CS, Monday.com). Ability to learn and adapt to new systems and softwares.
Client Relationship Skills: Strong ability to build and maintain long-term client relationships and provide tailored financial advice.
Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial strategies clearly.
Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work effectively within a team, demonstrating collaboration and relationship-building skills.
Independent Worker: Ability to work independently, managing multiple tasks and deadlines with minimal supervision.
Attention to Detail: Strong eye for detail, ensuring accuracy in all financial planning processes and documents.
Problem-Solving: Ability to address challenges quickly and effectively, ensuring client satisfaction and smooth workflow.
Education: Bachelor's degree

Responsibilities

Client Engagement: Work with advisors on clients with assets under management between $1 million and $2 million to build comprehensive financial plans. Consult with the Financial Planning Manager for clients with assets of $2 million and more complex financial plans.
Financial Plan Creation: Lead the creation of detailed, customized financial plans, including tax planning, retirement planning, estate planning, investment strategies, and more.
Plan Review & Implementation: Review client data, present to clients, and assist in preparing action plans based on financial recommendations. Help implement financial strategies and track progress.
Process Management: Manage and maintain the financial planning process, including reviewing gathered data, inputting financial plans, creating assumptions, generating scenarios, and conducting internal reviews, and presenting client meetings. Ensure all deliverables are accurate and timely.
Team Collaboration: Work with other team members and departments to improve systems, enhance workflows, and develop processes that help increase client satisfaction and drive service excellence.
Mentorship & Leadership: Assist the Financial Planning Manager in mentoring Financial Planning Interns, guiding them in financial planning processes and firm culture.
Document Organization: Organize and maintain client documents, ensuring that they are uploaded to appropriate systems and databases. Maintain and troubleshoot connections for client personal financial websites.
Mergers and Acquisitions Support: Collaborate with the Director of Financial Planning, Associate Director of Financial Planning, and Financial Planning Manager in the firm’s mergers and acquisitions efforts, including staff training and integration.
Ongoing Analysis & Research: Continuously research financial trends, opportunities for optimization, and market changes to ensure the firm’s offerings remain competitive and up-to-date.
Ongoing Training: Participate in continuous professional development, including onboarding, bi-weekly department training, monthly continuing education opportunities, and a dedicated professional development hour.
Legislative Awareness: Stay updated on legislation changes (e.g., SECURE Act 2.0) and educate the firm on potential impacts.
Software & Process Improvements: Evaluate and implement updates to the financial planning tools and software used by the team, ensuring they remain efficient and effective.
Service Offering Development: Join and actively participate in the development of new service offerings tailored to the regional client base, enhancing the firm’s capabilities in wealth management

Benefits

11 Paid Holidays + 2 floating holidays
3 Weeks PTO
Paid Volunteer Time
Paid Parental Leave
Flexible Work Schedule
Highly subsidized Health, Dental, and Vision Plans
401k Retirement Account with company match contributions
Free Mental Health services, Life Insurance, Long & Short-Term Disability Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts
Employee Financial Education
Employee Educational Expense Reimbursement
Employee Charitable Donations
Employee Referral Incentives
Employee Team Building Activities
Employee Assistance Program