by James Gordon
I've made the decision to go from paraplanner to financial planner.
My passion is providing an affordable and attainable life plan to the young leaders and families of tomorrow. I love doing this by helping clients identify what really matters to them deep down, their core values and underlying beliefs. I then build a plan that helps them reach their goals and opens doors that they didn't think existed.
I have decided to make the transition because I believe proper financial planning is really needed for the next generation, those in their 30s and 40s. I am in my 30s and married with a six-year-old son. Being the same generation as my clients helps me relate to their situations and aspirations for the future.
Working in a back-office environment for the last 13 years means transitioning to a planning role, which requires me to use a completely new skillset. I automatically think like someone working in the back office and changing that process will take time. Because of this process, I am still partially working as a paraplanner.
I have found that the best way for me to split the two roles is to divide the week into one day of paraplanning duties and two days of financial planning work. The secret to this is being disciplined and ensuring that I focus on that role for that specific day. I use my calendar to block out my financial planning days, so it is clear to the team which days I do what.
I have also participated in training courses with Quiver and the Financial Planning Academy focusing on moving from paraplanning to advising. The Financial Planning Academy pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to really focus on the communication skills needed as a planner. Likewise, I am working to develop my soft skills.
There are advantages of coming from the back office. The processes and systems are embedded into my head and I know exactly what how to follow processes and why we use them. It has also been good to see where other planners need improvements or changes. I've gotten to see the full circle of paraplanner to planner.
While I can identify with many younger clients' dreams and concerns, the general adviser age indicates that new, younger blood is needed within the profession. I hope younger people can look at financial planning as a career and see that it's less about money and more about life. Money is a means to an end, really. Let's get our clients living the life they want to live!
James Gordon is a Client Manager and Financial Planner DipPFS, CertPFS (DM).
After qualifying with his degree in Economics and Management from Queen's University Belfast, James started his business career as an administrator in a local financial planning practice where he spent five years before moving to the AKFP Group in 2012. He is currently studying for his Chartered exams and enrolled in the NextGen Planners Future Leaders Programme.
In addition to overseeing and distributing task and workflow management for the AKFP Technical team, he is responsible for ensuring that the technical elements of the business are run in a responsible and compliant manner, meeting all legislative requirements, both internally and externally.
In his role as a Financial Planner, he manages the research and analysis of financial products to meet client requirements, the presentation of technical data and the preparation of Client Financial Plans and Suitability Reports.
James operates the lifestyle planning software for clients, which is at the core of AKFP’s financial planning process for both existing and new clients.
James is married and has one young son. Outside of work, James enjoys watching and playing football. He also loves travelling and discovering new and interesting places.
