Associate Financial Planner

Role Overview

The Associate Financial Planner supports clients by preparing high‑quality financial planning analysis, building projections, executing trades, preparing tax returns, and ensuring meeting materials are accurate, organized, and ready. This role is designed for someone starting their financial planning career who seeks to develop strong technical expertise while contributing meaningfully to the client experience and the firm’s long‑term growth.

Why This Role Matters

The Associate Financial Planner plays a critical role in creating clarity, confidence, and momentum in client relationships through the following:

  • Better client outcomes: Their work turns strategy into well-prepared, accurate, and actionable plans, helping clients feel confident that nothing is missed.

  • Stronger advisor impact: By handling analysis, preparation, and follow‑through, they free advisors to focus on high‑value conversations, judgment, and relationships with clients.

  • Consistency and quality: They are a key safeguard against errors, gaps, and variability—ensuring advice is delivered thoughtfully and consistently.

  • Efficiency and scale: By reducing rework, friction, and last‑minute scrambling, they increase the firm’s capacity to serve more clients well.

What You’ll Be Doing

 Financial Planning Analysis & Technical Quality

  • Build accurate financial planning inputs, projections, and scenario analyses

  • Review planning outputs to identify potential planning considerations (tax, retirement, insurance, cash flow)

  • Execute investment management and trading with strong attention to detail

  • Prepare the initial drafts of client tax returns

  • Strengthen technical knowledge across planning disciplines (tax, retirement, estate, risk management)

Planning Preparation

  • Prepare planning deliverables and materials for client meetings

  • Maintain accurate, organized planning documentation and client financial data

  • Ensure planning inputs and supporting documentation are complete and ready on time

  • Identify missing client information early to prevent delays

What Strong Performance Looks Like (Success Signals)

  • Planning materials and analysis prepared on time with minimal corrections needed

  • Anticipating client questions and meeting needs

  • Collaborating across departments, asking questions, and providing feedback

  • Living out Bluestem core values

Growth & Development

  • Take on more complex planning analysis and preparation over time

  • Increase independence and judgment in planning work

  • Progress toward the Lead Financial Planner role as readiness and impact are demonstrated

  • Develop areas of specialized expertise to more deeply enhance the client experience

Our Values (How You Show Up Matters)

  • Purposeful Improvement – Embrace learning, growth, and adaptability

  • Abundance Mentality – Act for the shared success of colleagues, clients, and community

  • Life Harmony – Balance work and life for purpose and well-being

  • Authentic Communication – Listen actively and communicate with empathy

Qualifications (Guidelines, Not a Checklist!)

We’re looking for someone who is motivated to learn and grow. You may be a fit if you have:

  • Exposure to financial planning, client service, or a related field

  • Obtained or interested in pursuing CFP® certification (or similar path)

  • 0–4 years of relevant experience 

  • Strong attention to detail and follow-through

  • Clear communication skills and willingness to ask the right questions

  • Self-motivated and able to work independently

Compensation & Benefits (High‑Level)

  • Base Salary Range: $65,000 – $80,000, depending on experience, adjusted annually

  • Bonus Target: 10–15% of base salary, tied to individual performance

  • 4% 401k employer match (eligible after 6 months employment) with up to 3% additional employer contribution via profit sharing contribution

  • Open Vacation Policy

  • Medical Insurance (80% of employee premium paid by Bluestem)

  • Employer-paid Long-term Disability Insurance with options for employee to purchase Short-term Disability Insurance, Life Insurance, and Dental and Vision Insurance.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, all resumes must be accompanied by a cover letter that describes why you want to pursue a career in financial planning. Failure to follow these instructions constitutes an incomplete application for employment.

Please upload your cover letter and resume in pdf format by clicking  here.