Financial Planning Analyst at Northwestern Mutual in Edina, MN

Financial Planning Analyst

Location: Edina, Minnesota

Itasca Wealth is an established wealth management firm that helps our clients realize their financial objectives by understanding their goals and creating a comprehensive strategy to help them achieve them. We build trusting and impactful relationships with our clients, communicate comprehensive planning with simplicity, and inspire & guide them through lifelong financial security.

The Financial Planning Analyst supports the Director of Financial Planning and advisory team by developing, analyzing, and maintaining comprehensive financial plans for clients. This role is responsible for conducting financial analysis, preparing planning recommendations, identifying opportunities to improve client outcomes, and ensuring the accuracy and quality of planning deliverables. The Financial Planning Analyst serves as a technical resource to advisors and plays a critical role in delivering sophisticated, client-centered planning solutions.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Financial Planning Analysis

• Prepare and maintain comprehensive financial plans for clients using financial planning software
• Analyze client financial information including cash flow, retirement readiness, income distribution strategies, tax planning, insurance coverage, estate planning, and education funding
• Develop planning scenarios and projections to evaluate the impact of various financial decisions and strategies
• Personal financial modeling and sensitivity analyses to support client recommendations
• Identify planning opportunities and potential risks affecting clients' financial objectives
• Assist advisors in translating complex planning concepts into actionable recommendations
• Ensure recommendations align with firm planning standards and methodologies established by the Director of Financial Planning
• Review client plans for completeness, consistency, and accuracy before client presentation
• Update existing plans to reflect client life changes, market conditions, regulatory changes, and advisor recommendations
• Assist with retirement income analyses, Social Security strategies, tax-efficient withdrawal strategies, insurance reviews, estate planning coordination, and wealth transfer planning

Advisor Support

• Collaborate with advisors in the preparation of planning recommendations and client meeting materials
• Participate in client strategy discussions and planning case reviews
• Provide research and analysis for advanced planning topics including executive compensation, concentrated stock positions, charitable giving strategies, business succession planning, and tax mitigation opportunities
• Support advisors by identifying planning gaps and opportunities for deeper client engagement
• Attend client meetings as needed to support planning discussions and documentation
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Operations Associates, Associate Lead Advisors, Lead Advisors, and other team members to implement planning recommendations
• Coordinate with outside professionals, including CPAs, estate planning attorneys, and insurance specialists, when appropriate
• Support collaboration between financial planning, investment management, insurance, trust, and banking resources to ensure a seamless client experience

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, accounting, business, or a related field
• 3-5 years of experience in financial planning, wealth management, accounting, or financial analysis
• Working knowledge of financial planning concepts and wealth management principles
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred

• CFP® certification or active progress toward CFP® certification.
• FINRA Series 6, 63 &7 registrations
• Experience supporting high-net-worth individuals and families.
• Familiarity with advanced tax, retirement, and estate planning concepts.

Benefits:

• Group health, dental and vision insurance plan with employer subsidy
• Employer sponsored retirement plan with match
• Employer paid short and long-term disability
• PTO & Holidays
  
  

Itasca Wealth Advisors is a marketing name for doing business as representatives of Northwestern Mutual. Itasca Wealth Advisors is not a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, insurance agency or federal savings bank. Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) and its subsidiaries in Milwaukee, WI.