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Frequently Asked Questions

Your future as a financial services professional offers many rewards. In addition to the opportunity to earn a good income, you will have the satisfaction of helping people from all walks of life with their financial problems and reach their financial goals. You will enjoy the company of other like-minded professionals and become part of a dynamic, growing profession.

The information on this page will answer some of the questions you may have about a career in financial services at The Compass Group of Upstate New York. We have locations in Williamsville, Pittsford, and East Syracuse, NY.

How many hours would I be expected to work as an associate with NEF-The Compass Group?

Will I have to work nights?

Would I be expected to make cold calls?

What licenses do I need to become an associate of The Compass Group?

Do I need to become a CFP, and who pays for my courses?

How many classes do I have to take to become a CFP?

Is this a 100% commission position?

What does it take to build a Successful practice?

What is the interviewing process?

How do I get started?




How many hours would I be expected to work as an associate with New England Financial / The Compass Group of Upstate New York?

Freedom of time is one of the most valuable benefits of this career. We focus primarily on your results. In the first couple of years you will spend a great deal of time building your clientele. Once your client base is established the majority of your business will come for either repeat sales to your existing clients or sales from the referrals provided by your existing clients. You should expect to work at least 45-55 hours a week in your first couple of years.

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Will I have to work nights?

We are in the business of helping business owners, professionals and high net worth individuals. This market is accustomed to conducting business during normal office hours. However, it is not uncommon to work some evenings initially while you're building your client base.

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Would I be expected to make cold calls?

No. We do not market our services to strangers. All of our training and systems are designed to teach you how to be introduced or endorsed to your potential clients.

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What licenses do I need to become an associate of New England Financial?

Initially you need to pass three exams:

• Series 6 or 7
• Series 63
• Life, Accident and Health Insurance exam

  Supervisors will need to obtain:

• Series 24

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Do I need to become a CFP^® and who pays for my courses?

This is a business that requires lifetime continuing education. NEF-The Compass Group requires every new associate to work toward attaining a professional designation. The company offers a generous reimbursement program.

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How many classes do I have to take to become a CFP™?

There are 5 individual courses and a comprehensive exam.

The courses are:
• Introduction to Financial Services
• Retirement Planning
• Estate Planning
• Taxation
• Investments

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Will I be paid by 100% commissions only?

No. We have a 3-year Paid Subsidy Program that will help you smoothly transition into the business. (See Earnings Potential)

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What does it take to build a successful practice?

You need to work our proven systems
You always have to do what is right for your clients
You need to network with CPAs, Attorneys and other centers of influence
You need to be referable. Referrals are the lifeblood of your future. Most new business comes from referrals of satisfied clients. Referrals are critical to building a successful practice

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What is the interviewing process?

We have a 4-step process to selecting new associates:

• Initial information session at our firm in Buffalo, NY. In this meeting you will learn about the career path.
• Marketing Meeting
• Due Diligence Meeting
• Expectations Meeting