As our business is heavily dependent upon referrals from centers of influence and existing clients, helping to create a unique and memorable "Szarka experience" for each caller or visitor to our offices is of the highest priority.

Thus, our ideal candidate for this position will need to be able to demonstrate, beginning with their cover letter and resume, the following characteristics, skills and competencies:

* Answering each and every phone call with a smile in their voice 

* High degree of: energy, self-motivation, creativity, problem solving, willingness to assist and support all Financial Planners and any of our team members with a task, without being asked. 

* High degree of attention to detail

* Exceptional organizational and time management skills 

* Ability to work independently, but with understanding of when it is time to seek assistance from other team members or senior management 

* High degree of proficiency with Microsoft applications (Office, Windows) and ability to learn new proprietary software applications quickly and completely. High degree of overall PC proficiency 

* Ability to apply - with staff, advisors, COI's, prospects & clients - exceptional interpersonal skills while maintaining a high degree of professionalism. 

* Strong project management skills 

* Ability to quickly add value to the Szarka team

Click this link for the complete job description, and where to submit a cover letter and resume.

Hello, everyone! I hope the year is off to a great start for you! Your chapter representatives have been busy this past month with several endeavors that you may find of interest.

Government Relations Update

A very important piece of legislation facing our profession is the Jobs 2.0 HB-59 (mentioned in last month's newsletter last month's newsletter), which could potentially have an adverse effect on FPA members and their clients. We have been closely monitoring a provision in the biennial budget bill that would apply a 5% sales tax to accounting, financial consulting, and other services that were previously exempted.

Dave Robertson, CFP®, Director of Government Relations, provided an update on the proposed bill at last month's member meeting. He stated that our chapter, in conjunction with other Ohio chapters, is in the early stages of determining how best to utilize our resources to prevent a tax on the services we provide our clients. Collectively, each Ohio chapter has been working diligently with FPA's legislative lobbying firm, The Raben Group,The Raben Group, to help us to develop the best strategy to address this issue. As you know, our theme for this year is "Speaking as One Voice," and we need your support and voice to be heard on this issue now more than ever. I encourage you to contact your state representative contact your state representative directly, or let Dave know if you have interest in participating in future legislative efforts on behalf of the FPA. This is an opportunity to further strengthen the role that FPA plays in state issues in Columbus, and it has led to the discussion of forming an FPA Ohio statewide coalition with the other chapters. As more details become available over the next few weeks and months on this issue, we will continue to keep you apprised.

IMMEDIATE NEED:

Student Chapter Volunteers Needed

For the past 4 years, members of our chapter have graciously volunteered to provide a case study for students taking the University of Akron's financial planning Capstone Course. Each student is assigned a case study and presents his or her financial plan to the FPA volunteer member in April. What a great way to mentor and inspire a new generation of financial planners! If you would like to volunteer for the spring semester, please contact Doug Robinson, CFP®, CFP®, Director of Student Relations, by Thursday, March 21st.   

FPA NexGen Community Is Growing

Speaking of young professionals, we are looking to grow our FPA NexGen community within our northeast Ohio chapter.  FPA NexGen, intended to be a community of the next generation of financial planners, works in affiliation with FPA to provide the tools and knowledge that harness the power of collaboration between new and seasoned planners.  With a goal to create a community of young and enthusiastic professionals, we are actively seeking FPA members under the age of 36 to join this growing group at no additional cost. Check out the video on YouTube!

If you would like information on joining NexGen or know a young advisor that could benefit from this type of organization, please contact Marissa Beyer, CFP® or Elizabeth Verner, CFP®.

Annual Symposium Is Coming Soon

Symposium Chair, Nancy Radzyminski, CFP®, and the Symposium Committee have already met and begun organizing our Annual FPA Symposium, which will be held on October 14, 2013 at La Centre in Westlake. They have assembled an outstanding list of speakers with a variety of timely topics.  Stay tuned for more details in the coming months!

Grow the community. Grow the profession. Grow FPA!

In February, we helped to welcome new members who joined our chapter in 2012 with a social gathering sponsored by Camelot Portfolios. In the first event of its kind for our chapter in over six years, it was a great way for new members to meet our board and learn more about the benefits of being a part of the FPA organization. We look forward to holding more of these social events in the future!

Did you know that you can receive discounts on your annual membership dues by referring current CFP® professionals, allied professionals, educators and students enrolled in CFP® Certificate Programs? Learn more about our Member-Get-A-Member Program. 

If you are passionate about our profession and would like to volunteer on a committee, please email or call me at (216) 831-4900, or speak with one of our board members at any of our upcoming meetings.

            We look forward to seeing you at our March program!