Client Service Associate

Client Service Associate

Our Client Service Associates (CSAs) are an integral part of the Wealth Management Team, providing a broad range of technical and client management support to firm senior advisors, advisors, and Kovitz clients. This role serves as a liaison between our clients, advisors, custodians, and Operations Team. Our CSA Team plays a vital role in managing client relationships, is passionate about client service, and has the highest ethical and professional standards of excellence. A successful CSA at Kovitz is a proactive problem solver with excellent communication, organizational and time management skills. This role is ideal for a meticulous, client-focused professional who takes pride in accuracy, efficiency and delivering a white glove client experience. The right candidate thrives in a fast-paced high-performance environment and is driven to uphold the exceptional standards of our top wealth advisors and clients. This role is based in Chicago, IL.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Manage all aspects of account administration, including new account onboarding, transfers, money movements, closures, and client-specific updates. Proactively monitor account activity, escalate issues, and ensure timely execution while maintaining clear communication with stakeholders.
2. Prepare and process alternative investment paperwork, including funding requests and capital calls.
3. Coordinate with multiple custodian teams to resolve account inquiries, facilitate tax document distributions, and ensure accurate processing of client requests.
4. Serve as a trusted member of the Advisor's team, building strong relationships with clients, advisors, custodians, intermediaries, and the broader Wealth Management team.
5. Collaborate regularly with advisors to align priorities, provide timely updates on client service tasks, and escalate issues as needed.
6. Own the client service experience by ensuring timely, accurate processing of client requests and proactively resolving potential issues.
7. Provide clear, proactive communication to internal/external clients, offering regular updates on request status to ensure a seamless experience.
8. Manage sophisticated client-related inquiries with professionalism and efficiency, maintaining a solutions-oriented approach under pressure.
9. Think creatively to solve problems, helping advisors and clients navigate complex situations with clarity and efficiency.
10. Conduct virtual walkthroughs when needed, guiding clients through forms, portals, and complex processes to enhance understanding.
11. Maintain accurate client records, ensuring data integrity across CRM, electronic files, and all other internal/external systems.
12. Enhance team efficiency by contributing to training initiatives and maintaining up to date resources, including the CSA OneNote and Training Guide on an ongoing basis.
13. Proactively support peers in navigating complex situations and share best practices to enhance team effectiveness.
14. Participate in team meetings and firm initiatives/projects to streamline firm policies and procedures and to evolve the client experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree with 5+ years of client service experience in wealth management or 8+ years in financial services
• A growth mindset with the ability to adapt, take initiative and anticipate needs to help the Wealth Management team solve problems and provide creative solutions.
• RIA brokerage operations experience, preferably with prior RIA end-client exposure
• Highly detail-oriented, possess strong organizational skills, and work well under pressured time constraints while meeting strict deadlines.
• Expertise in custodial platforms (NetX360, Schwab Advisor Center & Fidelity Wealthscape) preferred.
• Possess a curiosity for learning and improving upon all aspects of the position, including technological and organizational strategies.
• Ability to prioritize multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey complex information clearly and professionally.
• Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with clients, advisors and internal teams.
• Analytical and problem-solving mindset, including strong mathematical aptitude.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

The annualized base pay range for this role is expected to be between $70,000-$90,000. Actual base pay could vary based on factors including but not limited to experience, subject matter expertise, geographic location where work will be performed, and the applicant's skill set. The base pay is just one component of the total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include an annual cash bonus and a comprehensive benefits package.