Paraplanning deserves recognition in its own right as a chosen profession rather than as a transition to becoming a financial planner, according to Brigitte Forbes, senior paraplanner for Perth-based stock broking firm Patersons Securities.
“I started down the path of paraplanning thinking it would be a stepping stone, but have recognised along the way the vital role that I play in the financial planning industry,” Forbes said.
“This is what I want to do now for the rest of my career — I’m not interested in becoming a financial planner.
“I absolutely love what I do and I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Forbes said this was the type of attitude she was searching for when she initially decided to leave her already established nursing career.
“Before I got into financial services I was actually a registered nurse, but decided it wasn’t really what I wanted to do,” she explained.
“I started researching different areas that I could get into where I would still be helping people, but where every day would be different.
“Four years down the track, I am now a senior paraplanner, have completed my Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning), my Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) and am currently working towards achieving Certified Financial Planner status having completed CFP 1 and 2.
“I am an Affiliate Member of the Financial Planning Association and am a representative for Patersons Securities.”
Forbes said as a paraplanner it was disappointing to think the role was based on being a “stepping stone to something better”.
“I think a lot of paraplanners come into a business thinking this is going to be their stepping stone to something better, whereas for paraplanners who have decided to make it their career, it’s actually about becoming very technically sound and continuing on a knowledge base path to be able to be a real asset to a business,” she said.
“I’ve always been that sort of person that likes the technical side of the business, more so than clinching a sale.
“I’m more happy to let an adviser do that and I’ll work in the background to help them get there by providing a fantastic strategy for their clients.
“The advisers that I work with recognise my ability to provide sound technical strategies and to think outside the square.
“Rather than being a typist, I play an integral role in the preparation of all Statements of Advice and Statements of Additional Advice provided for our clients.”
Commenting on the shortage of paraplanners in Western Australia, Forbes believes it is only now that financial planners are starting to become aware of the importance of having a committed paraplanner with a long-term career in mind.
“Since I’ve been working where I am at the moment, I’ve been approached by so many different companies to ask if I can go and work with them because I think they recognise the value of a really good paraplanner, particularly a paraplanner who has excellent knowledge and doesn’t want to progress their career to become a financial planner,” she said.
She recently accepted one of those offers and will be leaving Patersons, where she has been working for the past 18 months, to continue her career as a senior paraplanner with another firm.
Once envious of those who couldn’t be any happier in their chosen careers, Forbes is now proud to admit she is in the same boat.
“After many years and hours and hours of studying I have found the job that makes me get out of bed in the morning,” she said.
“I love what I do and I believe very few people today are able to make such a statement with the same conviction and belief.”
