Financial Advisor in Training

About the Role:  

Begin your journey to becoming a Financial Advisor in Baird’s Financial Advisor Training Program—a structured career development path designed to build confident, competent, and credible advisors. Through hands-on experience and required licensing, you’ll master advanced training, and sales strategies, while integrating into a real-world practice.  You will have the opportunity to partner with experienced advisor teams, support client planning, and contribute to new business development while learning to deliver an exceptional wealth management experience. 

The Impact You’ll Make: 

Year 1: Practice Immersion (12 Months) The initial Practice Immersion year is a customized entry point for participants, and will include the following, at minimum. 

• Pass all required licensing (Series 7, 66, Life & Health) and train incoming Associate Financial Advisor/Client Specialist successors as applicable.  

• Prepare for, attend, and shadow senior advisors in client meetings and calls; take meeting notes and complete all follow‑up tasks.  

• Memorialize and support the team service model and Standard of Care, including building performance reports.  

• Research investment solutions and assist senior advisors with portfolio‑related analysis and tasks.  

• Develop team marketing/branding and value proposition, and lead brokerage‑to‑fee conversion conversations with clients. 

Year 2:   Development (4-12 months) Participants are required to be fully licensed prior to entering year two, when they will focus on the Financial Advisor Training program curriculum.  Participants will be required to complete all virtual and in-person requirements and pass all skill and knowledge checks.  Participants are required to further pass a two-part comprehensive Capstone role play to progress in the program. 

• Complete FATP curriculum  

• Deepen investment knowledge, technology, and planning skills 

• Complete skill and knowledge checks 

• Expand role in client meetings and planning processes 

• Successfully pass Comprehensive Capstone Project 

Years 3 & 4: Gain Essential Experience (24 Months) In years three and four, participants become Financial Advisor Associates and advance their experience and expertise, while working to earn the title of Financial Advisor (FA).  To earn the FA title, participants must meet qualifying criteria that include but are not limited to 1) clearly demonstrated ability to deliver the Baird Wealth Management Experience confidently, competently, and credibly, and 2) proven ability to grow the business through quality new client acquisitions.  This includes the following. 

• Complete Baird sales training and consistently achieve new client asset and revenue growth goals  

• Independently source, prospect, and close new business through networking, target markets, and referrals  

• Deepen existing client relationships by identifying and closing additional assets, including repricing and brokerage‑to‑fee conversions  

• Lead holistic planning engagements and delivering comprehensive financial plans for HNW clients and prospects  

• Build long‑term growth through COI development, referral and NextGen campaigns, and independently running mid‑ to top‑tier client meetings 

What You’ll Bring to Baird: 

• Bachelor’s Degree 

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience prior to entering the four-year development path 

• Currently have or ability to obtain SIE, Series 7, Series 66 (or 63 and 65), and Life & Health Insurance 

• Pursuit of advanced designations throughout the program preferred (AAMS, CFP, CDFA, CFA, CIMA, SPWA, CWS, TPCP) 

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a focus on quality new client acquisition 

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills 

• Coachable and collaborative team approach 

• Ability to build trusted relationships with clients and team members