Chris Knaus, Financial Advisor
Long Valley, New Jersey

Chris Knaus grew up watching her mother build a career in Manhattan, climbing the ranks of a major insurance carrier. Later, Knaus joined her mother’s team and worked there for more than 15 years. When her family grew, she chose to stay home with her young children. When she was ready to return to the workforce, she wanted a career on her terms.

“I wanted to be a financial advisor in a town of my choice,” recalled Knaus. “I saw it firsthand in my mother’s business; she saw clients all over the tri-state area. Her calendar was a logistical nightmare.”

Knaus, like many financial advisors, was drawn to the Edward Jones business model. She could work independently close to home while getting the support she needed from the firm’s headquarters and an in-branch support team. Flexibility and the ability to define her own success brought Knaus to Edward Jones in 2015.

From early in her career, Knaus appreciated the value of dedicated support at Edward Jones.

“In the past I was in an environment where agents shared administrators,” she said. “My branch office administrator enables me to focus on building client relationships. I don’t spend my time vying for administrative resources or worrying that someone else will poach my clients.”

As a private partnership, Edward Jones empowers financial advisors to do what’s best for their clients. This allows advisors to build their ideal practice without being beholden to account minimums, cross-selling, or compensation grids often used by publicly-held companies.

Clients always come first, and colleagues are united in a culture that cares for clients and one another.

“When it comes down to what we need as humans, that’s the stuff that matters,” she said. “My colleagues were there for me through tough times in life. We’re not a cold, sterile brokerage house. We support each other.”

*Based on the most recent quarterly earnings results as of 12/31/24, and FINRA registration for producing advisors.