What is the Sales Support Analyst Business Strategy - US Initiatives group responsible for?
What are the ongoing responsibilities of a Sales Support Analyst? -
The Sales Admin Team works in parallel with the US Teams to provide quality services to the Wholesaling teams.
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The team provides support to the Wholesaling Teams with a goal to decrease their administrative burden so that they can utilize their time more efficiently.
Key responsibilities: Audit
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Franklin Distributors, LLC ( FD, LLC ) Gifts and Entertainment Policy & Global Expense Management
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Franklin Distributors, LLC ( FD, LLC ) Gifts and Entertainment Policy:
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In connection with the offer and distribution of investment company securities, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ( FINRA ) Rule 2341 (the Rule ) generally
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Prohibits FD, LLC Registered Representatives ( FT RRs ) from directly or indirectly accepting, or providing, or offering to provide any Gifts or
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Entertainment and other forms of hospitality ( Gifts and Entertainment ).
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There are several exceptions to the general prohibition that permit certain Gifts and Entertainment arrangements. Our Policy outlines when it is acceptable or not acceptable to provide Gifts and Entertainment to Financial Professionals or receive Gifts and Entertainment from a Third-Party Financial Intermediary. FT RRs must comply with FD LLC s internal policies to avoid any instances of, or the appearance of, any conflicts of interest.
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Sales Admin is obligated to promptly escalate any violations they identify to Compliance. Compliance reserves the right to adjust and/or make exceptions to this Policy at any time based on facts and circumstances.
Legal Background:
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FINRA Rule 2341, Investment Company Securities, and MSRB Rule G-20, Gifts, Gratuities, Non-Cash Compensation
The primary responsibility of Analyst is to capture all the expenses in CRM in conjunction with the policies set by Compliance and FINRA. Here are a few pointers from this key task:
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To ensure that all the Gifts have pre-approvals reach out to Wholesalers and their coordinators for approval details and ensure that the details go along with expense into CRM
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Report the below gift scenarios to Compliance:
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Gift offered in terms of Cash
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Securities offered as Gift
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Gift cards offered to representatives
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Report details of Advisor(s) who have reached Gift limit of $100 per year
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Ensure that the gift expense amount excludes the taxes and delivery fees
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Flag the Entertainment Activity expenses with Supervisor that are in conjunction with Training & Education or Client Meetings/Seminars
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Process all the Business Meals expenses in CRM
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Flag expenses to Wholesalers where the purpose of the meal was described more of Entertainment and not to train and educate Financial Professional
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Report expenses where cost per financial professional is $300 or above
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Reach out to Wholesaler for Business Topics which are mandatory for all the Business Meal expenses
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The analyst will be trained on Franklin Distributors, LLC ( FD, LLC )
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Gifts and Entertainment Policy and should be fully cognizant of the policies with all the expense categories.
Global Expense Management:
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The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines and procedures for employees incurring business travel and entertainment expenses on the company s behalf.
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The Global Travel Policy defines the company s approach to the provision of travel services and the management of expenses typically incurred while traveling on authorized company business or incurred while conducting business.
The policy s goal is to:
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Ensure all employees have a clear and consistent understanding of policies and procedures for business travel and entertainment.
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Maximize the company s ability to negotiate discounted rates with preferred suppliers and reduce travel expenses
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Provide business travelers with a reasonable level of service and comfort at the lowest possible cost
The team supports around 116 Wholesalers with their expense management and is responsible for submittal and approvals of the reports. Here are some key responsibilities in processing these expenses
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Process all the expenses booked with an American Express Corporate Card
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Ensure that all the out-of-pocket expenses captured are in right order and submitted for approval including mileage
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To ensure that the expenses are categorized under right expense category.
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Process all the Business Meals and Entertainment expenses in accordance with FD LLC guidelines set by Compliance.
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Flag all the expenses missing information for processing with Sr. Analyst and email them to Wholesalers for details
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To work with Expense Management team wherever their guidance is needed on some of the expense scenarios
Marketing Material Submissions at Financial Intermediaries:
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The team works with Marketing Optimization/Client Relationship teams, both Retail & Retirement, in submitting our compliance approved marketing materials at various Financial Intermediaries for their review and approval of the same for usage with advisors.
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The team submits these materials across various third-party platforms and actively tracks the approvals/rejections from the Intermediaries, a very critical process as the Wholesalers rely on the team s information as to approval/pending statuses of materials.
Key responsibilities of Analyst when it comes to firm submissions:
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Review the submission information provided by the Client Relationship team and submit them for approval
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Take the submission limits set across various Intermediaries into consideration and prioritize the materials for submission
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Update the Approval Log with the approval statuses time to time
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Revert the rejected/returned materials to Client Relationship team and resubmit them, if needed, post the changes
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Actively use the submission platforms and suggest enhancements in making the submissions a seamless process for Franklin Templeton
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Publish the approval log in GIP every week
What ideal qualifications, skills & experience would help someone to be Successful? -
Minimum of 2 years of experience in a regulated environment
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Strong computer skills and proficient with MS Office products; excel/power point/word
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Effective oral and written communication skills.
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Effective organization skills.
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Prior experience with document control systems
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Unwavering Attention to detail and follow-through
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Bachelor degree in Finance preferred
