Job DescriptionHow will this role impact First Command?The Advanced Planning Consultant (APC) serves as a technical financial planning specialist and strategic partner for Financial Advisors. This role supports advisors at all levels of experience in developing and delivering comprehensive financial planning through plan analysis, financial planning tools, strategy development, opportunity identification, and participating in client meetings. The APC collaborates and coordinates with Investment Management, Integrated Sales, financial product teams, and external business partners to align planning strategies with firm capabilities and client needs. The position requires strong technical expertise, relationship management, effective communication, and the ability to manage a robust pipeline of planning engagements in progress each month.
What will the employee do in this role?- Coach and develop advisors through case collaboration by modeling best practices, providing context and rationale, and sharing insights that build advisor knowledge, confidence, and future case-handling capabilities.
- Uses sound judgment to identify and address issues early, engaging the appropriate stakeholders or leadership when needed to resolve challenges and keep cases moving forward.
- Review and analyze complex client financial situations, identify planning opportunities, and develop customized strategies related to retirement income, tax efficiency, estate planning, investments, insurance, banking, military and federal government benefits, and legacy planning.
- Demonstrate advanced proficiency in MoneyGuide by reviewing plans, validating assumptions, modeling scenarios, evaluating tradeoffs, and developing advisor-ready recommendations.
- Conduct case review meetings with Advisors to discuss planning strategies, potential product solutions, implementation considerations, and next steps.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with Advisors by providing technical planning guidance, consultation, and support throughout the planning process.
- Coordinate with Investment Management, Integrated Sales, Product Specialists, and external partners to obtain proposals, illustrations, analyses, and recommendations that support planning objectives.
- Manage planning cases through Salesforce, including documentation, opportunity tracking, follow-up activities, partner engagement, and case resolution.
- Maintain planning quality standards while managing a high-volume workload and meeting established service expectations.
- Stay current on financial planning concepts, industry trends, regulatory developments, tax law changes, and firm planning resources.
- Occasional travel as needed; up to 25%
Skills & QualificationsEducationBachelor's degree in financial planning, Finance, Business, or related field required.
Work Experience- Five or more years of experience in financial planning, wealth management, retirement planning, or financial services required.
Certifications - CFP® certification or advanced financial planning credential required (e.g., ChFC®, CPA/PFS, JD).
- Additional advanced designations such as RICP®, CPWA®, EA, or CLU® preferred.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities- Advanced knowledge of financial planning strategies, retirement income planning, tax-efficient distribution planning, estate planning, insurance, and investment solutions.
- Advanced proficiency with MoneyGuide or other financial planning platforms
- Strong working knowledge of Salesforce or comparable CRM platforms
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and a high-volume case workload while maintaining accuracy and service quality.
- Strong analytical, organizational, communication, presentation, and relationship management skills.
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively across Advisors, field leadership, sales teams, investment professionals, and external business partners.
- Understanding military and federal pay, benefits, and retirement systems preferred.
LI-NC1LI-hybrid 
