Client Associate Jobs in California
Client Associate jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in wealth management, financial services, and brokerage operations across the state's major financial centers. Most of the hiring is in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where firms like Wells Fargo, Charles Schwab, and Morgan Stanley maintain large client-facing teams. The most in-demand specialties are portfolio support, high-net-worth client servicing, and retirement accounts. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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INTRODUCTION
Merrill Wealth Management is a leading provider of comprehensive wealth management and investment products and services for individuals, companies, and institutions. Merrill Wealth Management is one of the largest businesses of its kind in the world specializing in goals-based wealth management, including planning for retirement, education, legacy, and other life goals through investment advice and guidance.
Merrill’s Financial Advisors and Wealth Management Client Associates help clients pursue the life they envision through a personal relationship with their advisory team committed to their needs. We believe trust comes from transparency. Our trusted advisory teams are equipped with access to the investment insights of Merrill coupled with the banking convenience of Bank of America.
Merrill is committed to an in-office culture that supports collaboration, engagement, and career development. Our approach includes clear in-office expectations, while providing an appropriate level of flexibility based on role-specific responsibilities and business needs.
At Merrill, we empower you to bring your whole self to work. We value the unique perspectives in our thoughts, business, and within our employees and clients. Our Wealth Management team represents an array of different skills and experiences that individuals bring from all backgrounds and careers; whether gained through military service, community college education, or a wide range of work and life experiences. These journeys foster resilience, leadership and innovation, strengthening our workforce and positively impact the communities we serve.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This job is responsible for providing client service support to potentially multiple Financial Advisors (FAs). Key responsibilities include supporting enterprise strategic objectives, operational excellence goals, and client advocacy within the FA's business, while customizing solutions based on their specific needs. Job expectations include serving as the most frequent point of contact within Merrill to address all service needs of their clients.
Responsibilities:
- Provides excellent Client Service to the bank's clients through educating them on all of the bank's service and banking offerings
- Ensures timeliness, accuracy, and completeness in client materials and follows up on all client and Financial Advisor (FA) requests
- Assists with ensuring practices are in alignment with the bank's policies and procedures to support operational excellence, protect the bank's clients, and manage risk
- Identifies, deepens, and maintains client relationships through emphasizing the bank's offerings and promoting incorporation of banking into day-to-day practices, while communicating outputs to the FA
- Supports day-to-day team activities and needs including covering roles in times of absence or seasonal need increases, while leading with a client first mindset
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Is an enthusiastic, highly motivated self-starter with a strong work ethic and an intense focus on results
- Demonstrates a client-centric mindset, always acting in the best interest of the client
- Has the ability to learn and adapt to new information and technology platforms
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Currently holds or is pursuing FINRA Securities Industry Essentials (SIE), Series 7, and/or Series 66 (63 and 65 accepted in lieu of 66)
- Possesses industry knowledge and an understanding of investment products
- Has experience working with clients, quickly fulfilling their needs, delivering complex solutions, and providing an excellent client experience
- Is comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment with changing and evolving responsibilities
- Is detail oriented
- Demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and professional growth
- Exhibits sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive information
- Strong computer application skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Salesforce
- Demonstrates professional verbal and written communication skills
Skills
- Account Management
- Client Management
- Customer and Client Focus
- Issue Management
- Oral Communications
- Business Development
- Client Solutions Advisory
- Pipeline Management
- Prioritization
- Administrative Services
- Emotional Intelligence
- Referral Identification
- Written Communications
Minimum Education Requirement: High School Diploma / GED / Secondary School or equivalent
“Internal employees who are currently working from home are still eligible to apply. However, if selected for the role, you may be required to work onsite in accordance with the workplace excellence policy”
The following laws or regulations restrict or prohibit the hiring of individuals with certain specified criminal history for the position: FDIC; FINRA
Shift:
1st shift (United States of America)
Hours Per Week:
37.5
See All 155+ Client Associate Jobs in California
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Find Client Associate JobsClient Associate Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Client Associate Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- JPMorganChase17

- Morgan Stanley14

- California Bank & Trust10

- PNC Financial Services8

- RBC6

Top Industries Hiring
- Investment & Asset Management13
- Banking & Financial Services9
- Fintech6
- Technology & Software2
- Medical Devices1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in client associate jobs across California.
- FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 licenses required or must be obtained within 90 days
- Bachelor's degree in finance, business, or a related field preferred
- One to three years of client-facing experience in financial services or banking
- Proficiency with CRM platforms such as Salesforce or Tamarac
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for high-net-worth client interactions
- Ability to manage multiple advisor relationships and prioritize competing deadlines
Client Associate Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a client associate in California?
Most California client associate roles in financial services require passing the FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 exams, both of which need employer sponsorship to sit. Candidates typically hold a bachelor's degree in finance, business, or economics. Some firms hire candidates without licenses and sponsor the exams during onboarding. Outside of licensed financial roles, client associate positions in other industries require no state credential, and hiring is based on experience and communication skills.
Which companies hire client associates in California?
California client associate roles are posted by JPMorganChase, Morgan Stanley, and California Bank & Trust and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's large concentration of registered investment advisors and major bank branches means openings appear consistently across both the Bay Area and Southern California.
Which California cities have the most client associate jobs?
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego have the most client associate openings in California. San Francisco and Los Angeles dominate because of their dense financial district activity and the regional headquarters of national brokerage and wealth management firms, while San Diego draws openings from its growing private banking sector and large military-affiliated financial planning clientele.
Are there remote client associate jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than fully on-site roles, since client associate work is relationship-driven and many firms expect in-office presence for advisor support. About 30% of client associate openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting selective flexibility. The tasks most likely to be remote are administrative support, trade processing, and document preparation rather than direct client-facing duties.
How can I get hired as a client associate in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to bank branch associate or client service representative roles at large California retail banks like Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, or Union Bank, which regularly hire candidates without financial licenses and provide on-the-job training. From there, internal transfers into wealth management support are common. Completing a FINRA Series 7 exam prep course before applying gives candidates a measurable edge even without a license in hand.
Where can I find and apply to client associate jobs in California?
You can find and apply to client associate jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your background and location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 155+ Client Associate Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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