Financial Planning Resident

About the Firm

Apella Wealth is a fee-only comprehensive financial planning firm headquartered in West Hartford, Connecticut with offices nationwide. At Apella, we are tireless advocates for those we serve through all life stages including preparing to buy a house or start a family, planning for college savings or retirement, divorce, career change, sale of a business, or loss of a spouse or loved one. For some, we act as an educator. For others, a coach or mentor. For most, we are an important catalyst and trusted partner that inspires clients to take control of their financial lives.

Joining Apella Wealth means joining a culture built on community, volunteerism, lifelong learning, and an unwavering commitment to doing the right thing for our clients, colleagues, and each other.

About the Position

The Financial Planning Resident position is a unique opportunity structured to fast track your career in the fee-only, full-service financial planning community. You will apply the academic knowledge you have acquired from your studies at a CFP Board-registered program through vital real-world projects involving investments, estate, tax, retirement, and insurance planning along with developing close relationships as you help clients achieve their goals. This experience will position you to pass the CFP® exam, earn your designation, and thrive as a financial planning practitioner. You will be supported by a team of experienced CFP® professionals on every step of your journey. FPA membership, attendance at conferences, and other internal and external training opportunities are all part of your superlative Financial Planning Resident experience.

The Financial Planning Resident position lasts approximately three years and will be based in our West Hartford office. Upon completion of the program, an outstanding candidate will be qualified to continue in a lead planner capacity within Apella Wealth.

Must Haves

• Unwavering dedication to ethics and professionalism
• Hold a bachelor’s degree and have completed a CFP Board-Registered Program (or be near completion)
• Enthusiastic commitment to the financial planning profession and its community
• Demonstrate an ability to verbalize and write with confidence and clarity
• Excel in working with team members and working individually
• Willingness to relocate to West Hartford, Connecticut– the Resident position is not a remote position
• Hunger to learn and strive for growth

Job Duties

• Support Senior Financial Planners in all facets of the client relationship including timely execution of planning projects and ownership of meeting preparation and follow-up action items
• Aid in the creation and implementation of advance planning strategies in the areas of tax, estate, risk management, college, retirement, and investments
• Craft investment plans, develop implementation strategies, and participate in the ongoing trading and monitoring of portfolios
• Participate in the discovery meeting and onboarding process for new clients
• Communicate regularly with clients via phone, email, and in-person
• Support the Client Services team in the execution of operational-related tasks
• Participate in short and long-term success of the firm through weekly team meetings, quarterly strategic planning meetings and study groups
• Write content for newsletters and other related publications

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive starting salary of $68,000 plus opportunities for discretionary performance-based bonus
• 401(k) with company match
• Short and long-term disability coverage
• Life insurance benefits
• Company-provided health insurance
• Allotted time during work hours to study for the CFP® exam
• CFP® exam review courses and registration fees are covered
• FPA membership
• Team fun and retreats

How to Apply

Please send your resume, cover letter, short essay answers, and link to your short video introduction to resident@apellawealth.com. Applications will be accepted through Friday, October 25^th.

Short-Essay Questions (please no more than 500 words per question):

1. Why do you want to work for Apella Wealth?
2. What would you bring to Apella Wealth that is unique and special?
3. What would you need from us to reach your highest potential?

Short Video Introduction (use any recording format you’d like such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Loom; limit video to no more than three minutes). The purpose of the video is to tell us about yourself and you’re welcome to share whatever you’d like us to know about you.