Experienced Financial Advisor:
Building a Financial Career with Edward Jones
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Considering a Financial Advisor career with Edward Jones? Hear from some of our current Financial Advisors about the position and the career path they took to build a successful practice.
Jasmine Butler wasn’t looking for a new career path when Edward Jones came up in conversation at a networking event. As an outside sales district manager working in the human resources management sector, Jasmine felt confident in her career path.
“I was happy, and I wasn’t ready to move on,” Jasmine said. Nine months later, that feeling changed.
The feeling of autonomy she had previously felt in her outside sales role had diminished. The progression into a management role didn’t quite appeal to her, and she was firm in her desire to stay in a client-facing role.
“My boss used to tell me I spent too much time with my clients,” Jasmine said. “But I didn’t want to give them a 1-800 number. I wanted a role where I could control the experience for my clients.”
It took meeting someone already in the financial advisor role for Jasmine to be able to see herself at Edward Jones. “That was vital to me understanding what the role takes,” Jasmine said. “All my assumptions about what I thought a financial advisor does were broken.”
It’s been eight years since Jasmine joined the firm. Since then, she says education has been the key to growing her business.
“I came into the role with a background in sales, but the role is so much more than that. So, education was key to my success.”
“The Edward Jones culture is all about lifting each other up. I’m intentional about volunteering my time the same way my mentors did for me.”
-Jasmine Butler, Financial Advisor
Even with a great foundation, Jasmine found tough moments along the way. She describes hitting a moment of uncertainty around her third year and how the support within Edward Jones allowed her to move forward.
“My mentors saved me. They weren’t too far ahead of me in their own careers, so they could relate to the struggles in my early years,” Jasmine said. “They could see the light I couldn’t see. My mentors offered me support and provided a life raft when I needed it the most.”
Today, Jasmine attributes her success to the connections she made in her community. “I spent a lot of years networking in my community, making sure people saw me as a trusted resource.”
And, she still stands by the example passed down to her by her mentors. “The Edward Jones culture is all about lifting each other up. I’m intentional about volunteering my time the same way my mentors did for me,” Jasmine said. “That one call I make to a new financial advisor could change someone’s mind on how they approach their seed of doubt. If I’m in [my] season of thriving, it’s only right to share that energy with someone.”
Interested in the Edward Jones Financial Advisor Opportunity?
Learn more about starting a career as a financial advisor or start searching for opportunities now. If you’re already licensed as a financial advisor, learn how we’re built to take your practice to the next level.
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Stefan Pregelj
Redefining my worth with Edward Jones
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Stefan on how the firm’s culture of support impacts clients
I’ve been a financial advisor for 18 years and made the move to Edward Jones in late 2023. It’s always tough changing firms, and the decision wasn’t easy. Ultimately, I did it for my clients. I’ve known some of them for over 15 years, and I love going home every night knowing I’ve truly helped and made a difference.
Edward Jones’ approach and culture gives me complete control over how I build, customize, and run my practice. From no pressure to sell proprietary product (because Jones doesn’t have any), to fellow advisors that root for your success, it all translates into much more time focusing on clients. I’m no longer worried about checking boxes for weekly reports or meeting sales quotas. And it’s not just the amount of time spent: the quality of attention I can commit to serving clients has improved as well.
My fellow advisors are immensely supportive and want me to succeed. In fact, they were critical in helping me make the transition by being welcoming, proactive with their advice, and even just checking in to see if I was doing okay. That can be rare in this industry, and I’m honestly still getting used to it. It also helped that I knew three Edward Jones advisors who were former colleagues. They all confirmed that the culture of support was wonderful, consistent, and effective for getting more done for your clients.
On top of this, I have a branch office administrator who I rely on to keep my time focused. There’s also a full team of analysts that help with research so that I can be confident in the solutions I’m offering. It all translates into transformative experiences for my clients—I can dig deeper into their goals, and where they want to go.
Redefine your worth—that’s exactly what I’m doing now with Edward Jones’ culture of support. Click here to find out more about how Edward Jones empowers its financial advisors to do what they do best: Advise.
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Adriano Giordano
Redefining my worth with Edward Jones
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About Adriano
Having an impact on investors achieving their financial and life goals has always been a passion of mine and my main motivation throughout my 20+ years in the financial industry. Having spent my career working with financial advisors, building portfolios tailored to their clients’ life dreams and goals, I have seen how taking the time to truly understand your clients’ unique realities is the foundation for achieving long-term relationships anchored in trust.
My growing desire to serve clients firsthand and have a direct impact on their lives has led me to transition into the role of financial advisor. Leaning on my extensive knowledge of the market and investment solutions, I aim to build a practice that revolves around earning my clients’ trust by delivering comprehensive wealth strategies that align with their evolving needs and goals.
Joining a firm that would give me the autonomy and flexibility I need to truly put my clients’ interests first was a paramount factor in deciding where to begin my new journey as a financial advisor. Edward Jones was a natural choice for me because in the many years of partnering with this firm’s advisors, I witnessed a culture that places trust in them to put clients at the center of everything they do. I knew that working in a collaborative environment where I am not expected to sell proprietary products, while having access to a broad suite of investment solutions, would empower me to give advice in a way that aligns with my ethics and values.
I am thrilled to be redefining my worth with Edward Jones and to begin this new chapter of having a direct impact on my clients’ lives
Click here to find out more about how Edward Jones empowers its financial advisors to do what they do best: Advise.
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Experienced Financial Advisor:
Growing a Culture of Belonging: Morgan Sheridan
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Morgan has been with Edward Jones since he interned right out of university. As an out, gay man, he didn’t see himself represented in the financial advising industry. But at Edward Jones, he found an inclusive culture that encouraged him to show up as his authentic self. Now, 14 years later, he runs a branch out of his hometown of Barrie, Ontario and is working to help others in the LGBTQ community feel seen at work.
“I joined Edward Jones right after graduating from university. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted a career in finance, but I quickly realized that Edward Jones was the right fit for me. Dedication is recognized here, you’re free to build your own business, you’re given career-long training opportunities – but most important to me, is the culture.
As an out, gay man, I’ve always felt supported and celebrated at Edward Jones. Managing Partner Penny Pennington once said something that stuck with me: she said the goal at Edward Jones is for diverse people to bring their full, authentic selves to work.
I’m a white man, so outwardly I don’t look diverse. I could easily hide the fact that I’m gay. But Edward Jones doesn’t want me to. They want me to bring my full, authentic self to work, and I think that’s wonderful.
In the finance industry, the LGBTQ community is underrepresented. But Edward Jones has a massive LGBTQ and Allies Business Resource Group in both the US and Canada markets. We meet a few times a year over Zoom and share experiences as professionals serving a diverse group of clients.
LGBTQ people face some unique struggles in the workforce. For one thing, every time you meet someone, you have to come out again, and you never know what the reaction will be. For example, I’ve got a photo of my three-year-old twins up on my screen in my office. People assume I’m married to a woman and ask about my wife. I then must explain I’m married to a man. Thankfully, in my experience, the response has been positive, but it’s always in the back of your mind, “How will this go?”
Having a community that understands what that feels like, and knowing we face some of the same struggles makes me feel supported and seen.
Edward Jones has always been open and celebrating. Everyone within the company – from other financial advisors to home office associates – is willing to help. We’re not competitors here. At Edward Jones, I’m highly valued for what I do and respected for who I am, and that’s priceless.”
If you’re ready for a rewarding career as a financial advisor, you can learn more about the opportunity or apply now. Connect with Morgan on LinkedIn.
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Experienced Financial Advisor:
Leading a Financial Services Practice That Puts People First: Ian Stock
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Ian had spent over a decade between two big Canadian banks before joining Edward Jones five years ago. But he was dissatisfied, pressured by senior management, and he felt like the companies’ missions staying focused on the bottom line only, were out of alignment with his personal values. As he began exploring other options, he zeroed in on Edward Jones and learned more about their business model. What he found was the beginning of a more fulfilling career, where he is treated like a partner.
“After I retired from my role with the Canadian Armed Forces, I switched careers to become an investment advisor at one of the big banks. Over time, I started feeling like their mission and values didn’t align with my own. Looking for a change, I moved to one of the other banks, but unfortunately, encountered many of the same problems – it always seemed to be more of a numbers game. Our work was focused on bringing in more and more assets and generating more revenue, sometimes at the expense of the people we were supposed to be serving. That didn’t sit right with me. I always figured, if you look after the people, truly serving their interests, everything else will fall into place. Ultimately, that’s what attracted me to Edward Jones.
“Coming from a military background, you’re always aware of the competition and who you’re up against. Connecting with the Edward Jones’ talent acquisition team to learn more was eye-opening. At the time, I primarily ran a fee-based practice. A big selling point for me was learning that Edward Jones offered that option through their investment platforms. It’s not for everybody, but it is something that works particularly well for the type of clients I deal with.
“The other thing that appealed to me was the idea of entrepreneurship. At Edward Jones, I have my own office in my hometown, Belleville, and run my practice as I see fit. From the get-go, Edward Jones’ home office laid the groundwork for my transition into the company, supporting me every step of the way. It was a big difference from working for the big banks, where it always seemed like the advisors were getting the squeeze from senior management. At Edward Jones the differentiator is that home office is working to support us at the branches to make our lives and our clients’ lives easier.
“Anyone working in the investment business, especially on the brokerage side, is here because they’re a self-starter. At Edward Jones, I have been treated like a partner, not just an employee. Now, there’s no pressure on me as an advisor. No one’s pressuring me to push a specific product, because at Edward Jones we have no proprietary product. Instead we focus our time and attention on building long-term holistic strategies that are most appropriate for each individual client. This work environment is a huge benefit, it’s unique and I don’t take it for granted. But best of all, now I have a sense of ownership that just wasn’t there before. I know I’m working harder, but it doesn’t feel like work. A confession: sometimes I even vacuum my office.
“Since I made the move, my practice has grown exponentially. I’ve got more assets than I ever had in the past, but more importantly, I’m happy, because the work I do results in helping to create meaningful results for my clients and building strong long-lasting relationships. I changed employers and found a purpose that I live daily. That’s something, I think, our clients can sense. The feeling is hard to qualify, but I have a stronger sense of purpose now, wanting to do the best for my clients instead of just driving sales and punching the clock.”
If you’re ready for a rewarding career as a financial advisor, you can learn more about the opportunity or apply now. Connect with Ian on LinkedIn.
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Experienced Financial Advisor:
Coming Full Circle: Blaine’s Return to Edward Jones
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“Edward Jones was the only financial services firm I knew of that held true to its core value of caring for people and I craved to work in an environment that fostered and appreciated human relationships.” – Blaine Johnston
Blaine started his career at Edward Jones, and after years of experience at other financial services firms, he came back. Why? Because through decades of market changes, Edward Jones stayed true to its core values of client service and employee recognition. Here is his story:
“I began my career in financial services at Edward Jones while I was in my 20’s. Although I had a successful start at Edward Jones, personal circumstances led me to the decision to leave the community where I lived, in search of a new start.
“I parted ways with Edward Jones on amicable terms; in fact, my Regional Leader referred me to a wholesaler role in another firm. I eventually found my way to a private investment firm in Kamloops, BC, where I spent the next 13 years building portfolios for high net worth clients.
“In 2018, I returned to Edward Jones. I had become dissatisfied with the level of service I was providing to my clients; I did not have the time each deserved. I realized that the relationship between client and advisor had eroded throughout our industry. My book size was immense and growing, but with very limited administrative support. It was becoming impossible to provide meaningful client service and highly stressful to keep up with the volume of work. I felt that I needed to work for a firm where I could be more effective for my clients while being fairly compensated for my hard work. I craved to work in an environment that fostered and appreciated human relationships.
“Even though I knew this was Edward Jones’ philosophy, out of curiosity I chose to interview at several firms to learn of their transition packages. It was quickly apparent that what Edward Jones was offering was the most impressive. I told my wife, an avid traveler, about the opportunity for a bonus of the Travel Award Program (TAP), and we agreed that Edward Jones was the only choice. The Edward Jones TAP trips are truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and Edward Jones advisors have an opportunity to join every year.
“As I began the move to Edward Jones, I was given a dedicated transition specialist and an experienced branch office administrator (BOA). I wasn’t familiar with the systems, so having a BOA to work with was extremely helpful. I am thankful that I was able to focus my energy on my clients instead of learning a new technology. I now have the support of 2 BOAs and we serve over 200 households, of which 40% transitioned from my former firm.
“Edward Jones is our industry’s best kept secret, so I was worried that my clients would be reluctant to move here. I was wrong. The trust they have in me combined with Edward Jones’ tools and research made it an easy choice. Those who moved are happy they did!
“Ours is an ever-changing industry. Edward Jones has adjusted to various market conditions, but never adjusted its core belief of looking after people, clients and associates alike. That is what, I believe, separates Edward Jones from all others.”
If you’re ready for a rewarding career as a financial advisor, you can click here to learn more about the opportunity and apply.
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Experienced Financial Advisor:
Support and Sustainability as a Financial Advisor: Jake Wang
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After six years at a bank, Jake made the move to join Edward Jones. What attracted him the most were limitless support and training opportunities suitable for all career stages and the flexibility to build his own business.
“After working at one of the Big Five Canadian Banks for six years, I knew I needed to make a change. I came to Edward Jones because it provided the best training to people who wanted to build their financial services practice from square one. I saw that none of the banks’ investment arms had the time or patience to do that. Edward Jones has provided me with ongoing training opportunities at different practice management levels. I value the career-long training tremendously since we, as financial advisors, are in an industry that constantly evolves and changes.
“The other reason for my move to Edward Jones was the flexibility of building my own practice. Starting out, I knew I needed to get to profitability quickly and sustain it. You are responsible for your own office’s success. There are many ways for you to build your practice. Edward Jones makes it easy: you have the flexibility with the support and the guidance of many head office professionals and resources.
“The unique partnership structure was also very appealing to me. I experienced true support from my peers within my region and the firm. We are genuinely helping each other and want everyone to be successful so that all partners benefit from the collective success. I am so grateful for the help that others gave me when I started, and now I do my best to give it back by helping more junior FAs.
“Flexibility and support do not end there. I opened a branch that is 10 minutes away from my home and my children’s school. A firm-paid branch office administrator and the advanced tools and technology really help me focus on deeply serving my clients and growing the business.
“I am happy to say that I am now a limited partner of the firm. Edward Jones has changed my life. I enjoy working with my clients every day and helping them achieve their goals. It’s meaningful work.”
If you’re ready for a rewarding career as a financial advisor, you can learn more about the opportunity or apply now. Connect with Jake on LinkedIn.
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Experienced Financial Advisor:
Balancing Freedom with Compensation Certainty
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It’s no surprise that compensation is a leading factor when financial advisors are considering changing firms. In the AdvisorHub study on brokerage-firm culture, done in partnership with Edward Jones, financial advisors said compensation was the top reason they’d consider leaving their current firm. While going independent is tempting for financial advisors looking to make a change, it may present considerable compensation uncertainty.
In a competitive landscape, recent enhancements to Edward Jones’ compensation structure are giving experienced financial advisors a strong reason to consider moving their practice to Edward Jones. The difference? Edward Jones compensation plans are designed to set up experienced financial advisors for success, individually evaluated and providing a competitive salary based on the assets they bring to the firm.
Transitioning experienced financial advisors can own their success on day one and avoid the compensation risk of independent practice. It’s the best of both worlds – support from a home office and autonomy to grow their practice independent of firm sales goals. Edward Jones financial advisors run their own practices, set their own goals and partner with clients on achieving their financial and life goals – and compensation reflects success in those efforts.
There are no loans in the Edward Jones compensation package. No upfront or back-end payments requiring certain production levels. No claw backs and financial advisors are not contractually bound to the firm for the long term.
As a private partnership, Edward Jones has long held a transparent compensation philosophy – with less complexity and fewer modifications compared to the industry – that helps financial advisors uniquely realize their potential. First and foremost, compensation is commensurate with a financial advisor’s experience and practice maturity. New plan features are designed to optimize the financial opportunity and are tailored to support an individual’s unique practice. Key features include:
12 Month Salary: The firm will provide salary for the first 12 months based on the portability of the financial advisor’s previous assets. All commissions and fees are additive, so it closes the gap between prior year income and the commissions earned during the transition.
New Asset Compensation: Edward Jones will compensate financial advisors throughout years 1-6 for new assets transitioned to the firm within their first 12 months.
Bonus Compensation: Financial advisors are eligible for profitability bonuses as of their second year, which are paid on a trimester basis.
No “Loans”: There are no loans in the Edward Jones compensation package. No upfront or back-end payments requiring certain production levels. No claw backs and financial advisors are not contractually bound to the firm for the long term.
This “no ceiling” compensation approach is why some come – and stay. In fact, since 2016, approximately 75% of experienced financial advisors who joined Edward Jones from other firms remain today.
For experienced financial advisors considering a transition, Edward Jones balances freedom and flexibility with the certainty of a salary. Edward Jones financial advisors are rewarded for their hard work in the short-term and provided with the support they need to reach their full potential long-term. Learn more about compensation for experienced financial advisors at Edward Jones.
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Experienced Financial Advisor:
Making the Move to Edward Jones: Joshua Bowden
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Prior to moving his practice to Edward Jones, Joshua was with one of the big Canadian banks. While researching the firm, many Edward Jones’ associates and financial advisors he spoke to shared the same message: building your financial services practice at Edward Jones is made easier with the support and partnership of fellow financial advisors and subject matter experts from the head office. Looking back, the only thing he would have done differently is join the firm sooner.
“When I worked for one of the big banks eleven years ago and I first met a successful financial advisor from Edward Jones, I was intrigued by what he had to say about the Edward Jones model. I had heard before how much support was available to financial advisors who join Edward Jones, and, wouldn’t you know, I heard the same message eight years later.
“I finally made the decision to venture down that path to learn if I could be an Edward Jones financial advisor. From the regional leaders I spoke to, the financial advisors I met, my recruiter, etc., the same message was being delivered, which was the idea that I could build my business with a proven business model, with all the support I would ever need throughout my entire career.
“Looking back, I wish I took the opportunity sooner. Edward Jones has been everything I was told it would be and more.
“Everything from the interview process to the onboarding to the training and up until this day have been the most rewarding journey and the best decision of my life. This is a firm that wants you to be successful and will support you in attaining that success. The rest is up to you!”
If you’re ready for a rewarding career as a financial advisor, you can learn more about the opportunity or find an opportunity near you to connect with a recruiter. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
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