Financial Advisor Trainee

Job Summary

Through distance learning, apprenticeship, and training at the firm’s international headquarters, the Advisor Mastery Program (AMP) provides a comprehensive education for the next generation of Raymond James Financial Advisors. Trainees work with a mentor, branch manager, and/or a team of financial advisors to build an individual practice, balancing new client development, sales activities, investment management, customer service, and compliance while pursuing personal and professional growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Become trained and skilled to effectively and efficiently perform the Financial Advisor role; team candidates receive specific goals and expectations from their team.
• Meet production targets that impact overall company revenue goals.
• Develop a book of business consistent with AMP program goals for assets under management and required production.
• Provide a high level of client service.
• Manage the full scope of a client relationship by evaluating financial needs, investment opportunities, current holdings, and available capital.
• Help clients identify investment objectives, communicating portfolio losses when necessary while preserving loyalty.
• Develop a client pipeline through prospecting, networking, community initiatives, centers of influence, and niche development.
• Recommend investment products, solutions, and services suitable for prospects and clients based on needs, time horizons, risk profile, and preferences.
• Seek expertise of internal resources to identify investment opportunities and solutions for clients.
• Open, transfer, and close customer accounts.
• Maintain appropriate account records while monitoring the customer’s portfolio.
• Make recommendations consistent with changes in economic and financial conditions, client needs, and newly offered investments.
• Obtain and verify purchase and sale instructions, enter orders, and follow up on transaction completion.
• Complete required program training and assignments, obtain mandatory industry licenses within prescribed timeframes, master assessments, and meet minimum performance and production standards.
• Stay abreast of investment products, industry rules and regulations, and financial planning.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices.
• Understanding of financial markets, banking, and financial data analysis and reporting.
• Basic principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services.
• Familiarity with the firm’s structure, policies, mission, strategies, and compliance guidelines.
• Skill in operating client‑relationship‑manager systems and other software to produce financial plans, correspondence, reports, electronic communication, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Ability to identify customer needs through effective questioning and listening techniques.
• Ability to organize, manage, and track multiple detailed tasks with frequently changing priorities and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Commitment to continuously learn investment products, industry rules and regulations, and financial planning.
• Effective oral and written communication across all organizational levels.
• Keep relevant parties up‑to‑date on decisions, changes, and information, articulating reasons behind decisions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Perseverance, resilience, and ability to handle rejection during prospecting and networking.
• Community networking and self‑marketing of both the individual and Raymond James.
• Persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Ability to accept criticism and remain calm in high‑stress situations.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree (B.A.) from a four‑year college or university is preferred, with a minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience demonstrating achievement in sales (preferably intangible) or a business environment. An equivalent combination of experience, education, and/or training may be considered as approved by Human Resources. General experience of 7 to 12 months is also noted.

Licenses / Certifications

• SIE required (unless exempted or grandfathered) or ability to obtain within four (4) months of program start.
• Series 7 and Series 66 or ability to obtain within four (4) months of program start.
• Life, Health, and Variable Annuity license or ability to obtain within six (6) months of program start.

Compensation and Benefits

The total compensation includes a base salary or wages and may include additional cash or equity compensation, discretionary bonuses, or commissions. The position is eligible for a benefits package that may include medical, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance; critical illness and accident insurance; disability benefits; retirement savings; paid time off (vacation, holidays, and sick leave); and parental leave. Specific offerings vary based on position and employment status.

Culture and Values

Raymond James associates follow five guiding behaviors—Develop, Collaborate, Decide, Deliver, Improve—to uphold the firm’s core values of client‑first, integrity, independence, and a conservative, long‑term view. The firm expects all associates to grow professionally, inspire others, work collaboratively, make prompt pragmatic choices with the client in mind, take ownership, and contribute to the firm’s continuous evolution. Raymond James embraces a people‑first culture that honors and respects the uniqueness, experiences, and backgrounds of all associates.