There’s a growing need for financial advisors in the U.S. – professionals who help individuals and businesses plan, invest and manage their finances to reach long-term goals. Not only are a record number of current financial advisors retiring in the next 10 years – about a third of the current financial advisor population, according to Cerulli Associates – there’s also a $124 trillion generational wealth transfer underway, moving investments into the hands of new generations, clients with different needs and expectations, and increasingly complex financial decisions.

For experienced financial advisors it presents great opportunity to grow a practice. For those interested in exploring the financial advisor opportunity, it could be the launching pad for a career with great impact. No matter the level of experience, this is a career built on trust  – and the goals, families and future that trust represents.

The work of a financial advisor falls into four general areas: building relationships, creating financial strategies, running a practice and staying current and knowledgeable on market trends.

The core work

Financial advisors help people and businesses achieve their long-term financial goals by managing investments and guiding financial planning. They meet with existing clients to understand their goals, priorities and values and create personalized, comprehensive financial planning strategies and work to maintain those relationships long term, conducting regular account reviews and being available to clients as needs and changes occur. Most of all, financial advisors serve as trusted partners for individuals, families and business owners who make up the larger community in which the financial advisor resides.

That human connection remains a critical differentiator. In fact, 68% of industry financial advisors say building and maintaining long-term client trust requires a human touch.

Financial advisors also go out into the community to meet prospective clients, engage with community leaders and share financial wellness information at networking events and speaking engagements.

A collaborative role

Financial advisors work as part of a team to manage and operate a branch location. These branch locations may be set up as a solo practice, with one financial advisor at the helm of the strategic oversight and business planning. Other branch locations may have multiple financial advisors, with a client support team that supports both financial advisors.

These locations often host clients in-office for annual account reviews and other meetings, so the entire branch team should collaborate to ensure the client experience aligns with the expectations of the team.

Market awareness and insight

Additionally, a financial advisor maintains awareness of new developments in financial markets and regulations. With the support of a home office team that provides research and advisory support, financial advisors can more easily monitor daily market news and apply market intelligence to client portfolio reviews.

As technology evolves, many advisors see AI as a complement to their work rather than a replacement. More than half (53%) of industry financial advisors say AI creates an opportunity to spend more time focused on higher-value client work.

In their daily work, financial advisors manage both technical and creative aspects to the role, making variety an expectation of the role. Financial advisors have a high degree of flexibility, with control over how they structure their day and manage their time. A typical day in the role may include:

• Starting the day with an overview and understanding of market trends, economy shifts and product news and updates that may impact investment portfolio performance. The financial advisor should feel equipped to discuss and answer questions from clients, as clients rely on the financial advisor to explain the impact to their individual strategies.
• Reviewing existing clients’ portfolios for performance, changes or recommendations. This could be in collaboration with other registered and licensed professionals on the team, as well as non-registered and licensed team members who will manage the logistics of ensuring an accurate, timely client review.
• Meeting with clients to review portfolios. This could include preparing with the broader branch team, as well as engaging with the network of professional that supports the client alongside the financial advisor, like accountants, attorneys and other financial professionals.
• Managing the staff within their branch location. The financial advisor sets the tone and strategic direction for the team, and with that comes responsibility to ensure regulatory, compliance and development opportunities are available to all.
• Engaging in business development strategies. Financial advisors need a full pipeline of prospective clients, which means getting comfortable with explaining the value of a trusted financial advisor, engaging prospective clients and networking

Most importantly, financial advisors spend a great deal of time collaborating with others for the good of the client, bringing shared interest and knowledge to support each client’s needs.

What skills do I need to become a financial advisor?

A successful financial advisor needs a variety of skills to manage the client service and financial planning aspects to the role:

• Analytical thinking: ability to research, analyze, and draw conclusions from market, regulatory, and client data
• Communication: the ability to clearly and simply explain complex information to clients at various life stages
• Empathy and emotional intelligence: ability to understand the emotional significance of a client’s investment plans and guide them through high-stakes decisions
• Risk assessment: attention to detail and ability to think ahead and build strategies that hold up under changing conditions
• Self-motivation and accountability: autonomy over time management and a commission-based pay structure reward those who drive their own success

Many Edward Jones financial advisors come to the job after building foundational skills in other careers. People with experience in sales, finance-adjacent industries and the military are particularly well-suited to transition to financial services.

• Sales professionals bring relationship skills, commission discipline and client lifecycle experience to their role.
• Professionals from finance-adjacent roles, such as banking and insurance, come to financial services with an existing knowledge of financial products and regulatory authority.
• People with a military background have the leadership, discipline and accountability skills to succeed in running their own office.

For candidates with the right background, skills, and attitude, there is great potential for a long and meaningful career as a financial advisors.

Large numbers of Baby Boomers continue to retire, and financially savvy Gen X is close behind, driving a need for retirement planning. At the same time, new business applications are up, and budding entrepreneurs need help planning finances for their businesses.

The result is an estimated 17% growth in the number of financial advisor jobs between 2024 and 2034, much faster than total job growth across all occupations.

The people planning to retire in the next decade include 36% of all current financial advisors, adding another 110,000 job openings to the count.

Edward Jones takes a personal approach to financial strategies. We have a singular focus: serving each and every client through a one-on-one relationship with their financial advisor. It’s a human-centered environment that helps financial advisors achieve their potential while doing meaningful work for their clients and community.

Edward Jones is a privately held company, so we’re not accountable to shareholders or quarterly earnings – only to our clients. That means every Edward Jones associate is free to focus on the client’s best interests.

That same focus shapes how we invest in new financial advisors. From the start, advisors receive support through licensing, training and a structured onboarding experience designed to help them build a strong foundation.

1. Determine if the opportunity is right for you. If your skills and experience align, this career comes with great potential.
2. Apply. Find an opportunity near you and submit the application. Our interview process is thorough and includes critical steps like visiting a region, developing a business plan, meeting with members of the recruiting and local teams and a virtual assessment.
3. Start your journey with a 10-week full-time study program (about 45 hours per week) supported by Edward Jones training teams and dedicated study support. For those with existing registrations and licensing, this period may be shorter.
4. Complete the onboarding program. You’ll focus on building and progressing client relationships and growing your practice.