Every employer aspires to create a team that is both talented and dynamic, and for the overwhelming majority of employers, the first step to achieving this goal is to post an effective and appealing job description. When your description performs its necessary function, you will have no problem garnering the attention of qualified and experienced candidates. As essential as this part of the hiring process is, many employers and organizations still fail to post a professional-looking job description. If you are ready to stop interviewing unqualified applicants, the following Financial Planning Analyst job description sample will help you write a description that will impress even the most discerning candidate.
Financial Planning Analyst Job Summary
The primary role of a financial planning analyst is to analyze the current financial situation of businesses, organizations, and individuals. To achieve this, financial planning analysts employ a wide range of quantitative formulas and techniques. After performing these calculations, financial planning analysts usually meet with clients and recommend the best course of action based on their initial findings.
Financial Planning Analyst Job Responsibilities and Duties:
- Properly assess the financial state of individuals, corporations, and other organizations
- Identify potential outcomes and returns
- Appraise assets and financial holdings
- Secure highly sensitive and confidential financial data and information
- Compile detailed financial reports using calculations, data, and other client-provided information
- Use information to assemble extensive financial databases
- Suggest and create financial action plans for companies and individuals
- Continuously update skill set, expertise, and technical knowledge by attending the required workshops and courses
- Work closely with other team members in order to achieve company goals
- Analyze debt restructuring and refinancing options
Financial Planning Analyst Skills and Qualifications
- Prior financial planning and strategizing experience
- Understanding of database maintenance and design
- Knowledge of statistical analysis
- Ability to perform research and compile reports
- Extensive risk management skills
- Ability to track and plan budgets
- Basic computational skills
- Experience forecasting and analyzing data
Company Profile
Financial Analysts Inc. has made its mark in the financial planning industry over the last 50 years. We strive to help individuals and companies from all walks of life realize their financial dreams and make better fiscal decisions. At our company, our clients come first, and we will not stop until all of our clients have a more comprehensive view of their financial state. We are proud to offer a plethora of wealth management and planning services to the community.
Writing a Job Description Best Practices
- The Financial Planning Analyst job description sample above serves as an excellent resource, but there will be times when you will have to work from scratch. When this happens, there is no need to overreact or fear. The following list of do’s and don’ts is formulated to help any hiring manager attract the most qualified candidates.
- Do use a clear and descriptive job title. No one wants to attract unqualified applicants, and by utilizing a clear, concise title, you can prevent this from happening to you. Be sure that applicants understand the position they are applying for, and try not to be too abstract or vague when writing your description.
- Do check over your description before you post it. If your posting is riddled with misspelled words and grammatical errors, it can be difficult for jobseekers to take you seriously.
- Do include salary and benefits information if possible. This will help weed out applicants, since higher paying jobs tend to require more expertise and extensive education. Before you include this information, you should make sure that your company’s rules and regulations allow you to do so.
- Do discuss your company’s culture and work environment. This information will give candidates a detailed snapshot of your company’s goals, mission, and core values. It will also help jobseekers decide whether or not they would be a good fit for your company.
- Don’t use impersonal or intimidating language. This type of language can easily scare away applicants, and make your business seem as if it lacks personality. Be sure to use inviting language that encourages jobseekers to learn more about the position and your company.
- Don’t forget to include contact information. Always include a way for jobseekers to contact you with questions and concerns.
This is not a definitive list, and if you still have difficulty understanding what to include, the Financial Planning Analyst job description sample can provide you with additional guidance. When you hire the right workers, your entire company will benefit in a multitude of ways.
Financial Planning Analyst Job Responsibilities
In order to write a compelling financial planning analyst job description that attracts top candidates to apply, you need a well-written and engaging job responsibilities section. This is the meatiest of the job description sections and informs prospective applicants of what the position entails and the expected level of performance. Writing a detailed and accurate list of your financial planning analyst job responsibilities will help reduce the number of unqualified applicants you’ll have to weed out later.
Bullet points are the best way to organize your list of responsibilities because they make it easy for jobseekers to skim through and quickly determine whether they want to apply. Start each of your bullets with an active verb to help financial planning analysts envision themselves working for your company. Though it’s important to provide a detailed list of job responsibilities, you don’t want to overwhelm potential applicants with a laundry list of duties. Focus instead on 6-8 responsibilities you’re most concerned your new employee can accomplish.
Following are some possible responsibilities to include in your financial planning analyst job description:
- Develop accurate financial plans and forecasts based on analyses of the business’s operational needs
- Evaluate business proposal documents and examine revenue and expense projections, capital expenditures and other financial concerns
- Compile reports on financial performance metrics and trends and provide business recommendations based on your findings
- Create detailed financial models in support of project-based initiatives
Financial Planning Analyst Job Specifications
While the job responsibilities section lays out the day-to-day duties of the job, the job qualifications and skills section explains the specific requirements for education, experience and skill levels that you expect applicants to meet. Forgetting to include any of the minimum requirements in your financial planning analyst job description means you could end up sifting through a pile of resumes from applicants who simply aren’t qualified for the position.
Save yourself from an inbox overflowing with applications from underqualified applicants and meet with your hiring manager to figure out the requirements that need to be included. As part of this conversation, determine which skills and qualifications are absolute necessities and which are less important. If you don’t need applicants with graduate degrees, for example, specify that a bachelor’s degree is required, but a master’s is preferred. A clear and concise list of skills and qualifications will help jobseekers reading your financial planning analyst job description to determine if their background education and experience make them qualified to apply.
Review these financial planning analyst job specifications to see if they might fit in your job description:
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, economics or a related field
- At least five years of finance experience
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
- Documented success building and implementing financial planning programs