WFS - WM Client Service Associate - Sandy Spring Bank

About Us:

At West Financial Services, we have spent over 40 years building a firm dedicated to taking a creative and ethical approach to growing and protecting our clients’ wealth and prosperity. Since our inception in 1982, we have provided financial services on a fee-only basis, acting as a fiduciary for our clients. Each member of our team fully embraces the importance of this role and what it means for our clients. We bring planning excellence, investment discipline and personal service to everything we do. We are seeking competent, motivated employees who share our commitment to being remarkable. To attract and retain these quality individuals, we provide a market driven salary administration program and a comprehensive benefits package. We take pride in offering a broad benefits program to its most valuable asset….our staff.  

About the Job:

West Financial Services (WFS) is currently recruiting for a Client Service Associate. The Client Service Associate supports the Relationship Managers, Portfolio Managers, and Director of Client Services with a range of activities including the set-up and maintenance of client accounts; compilation and completion of client, custodian, and WFS paperwork; reconciling trades; review and maintenance of client transactions and activity; and execution of client and WFS tasks such as asset transfers, preparation of reports and general support of portfolio and investment strategies.

MAJOR JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Client Services:

Serves as liaison between the client, West Financial Services, and the custodian.  Provides support to Relationship and Portfolio Managers, senior management, and the Director of Client Services as it relates to client relationship building and maintence.   Tracks and processes ad hoc client requests, answers client questions and takes initiative to research and find a solution to problems and requests. Proactively communicates with clients to anticipate needs in an effort to ensure seamless client service and support to the relationship. Calculates and processes Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), charitable contributions and estate distributions.

Attends industry focused seminars and webinars.  Serves as backup to the office administration department when needed, including assistance with phones.  Seeks to provide ideas for client, employee and organizational process improvements as it relates to client service. 

1. Account Administration:

Works with the client to open and fund accounts, using electronic processes whenever possible; ensuring that all required documentation is received and processed without error.  Accurately set-up/review accounts and relationships in portfolio reporting, rebalancing and Salesforce. 

Process client administrative requests; including, but not limited to, account updates or changes, distributions, deposits, transfers, etc. in an efficient and accurate manner, using electronic processes whenever possible. Reviews cost basis on new securities, coordinates updates with back office provider to ensure accuracy, and calculates cost basis as needed. Reconciles systems and researches cash / position / market value exceptions. Maintains and indexes client files in the document management system.

1. Reports Administration and Quarterly Invoicing:

Prepares reports for presentation at client meetings.  Participates in the quarterly billing cycle by running the statements, verifying the accuracy of the data, distributing the statements to the clients, and uploading the management fees to the custodian.  Runs ad hoc reports as requested.

Required Skills:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. A bachelor degree in business/finance is preferred. Experience in the finance or investment industry is preferred. Applicable internship experience is a plus.

1. Contact involves a variety of internal and external contacts; and requires interpersonal skills to effectively deal with all types of people.  A team player committed to providing excellent client service.

1. Strong organization skills, accuracy and attention to detail is essential. . Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and requests with competing deadlines in a fast-paced and high-performance work environment.
   
   
2. Expertise with portfolio management software, specifically EnvestnetTamarac  and Salesforce is highly desirable. 

1. Strong experience with Microsoft products including Word, Excel and Outlook required. 
2. Must be able to qualify, obtain, and maintain necessary licensing requirements.

Work requires reasonable mobility in and around the work area.  Ability to use standard computer and phone systems is required

 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Normal office environment where there is almost no discomfort due to temperature, dust, noise, or other disagreeable elements.

 

Work includes little or no potential exposure to hazardous conditions.

 

Must be able to travel to remote company and/or client locations.

 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Compensation Information:

At West Financial Services, compensation is one part of our total rewards package. Compensation within the range will depend on your skills, qualifications, education, experience, and location. Additionally, full-time and part-time positions may be eligible to participate in department or company-wide incentive plans.

Additional Information:

West Financial Services, a subsidiary of Sandy Spring Bank, provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

 

If you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position, please call our job line at 1-800-399-5919 and select option 5. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

 

West Financial Services partners with various job boards to advertise our openings. Please visit our website, www.westfinancial.com to confirm the validity of the job posting to avoid any potential fraudulent activity. We encourage and recommend all candidates to apply via our website.