FAQs - Edward Jones Careers

Frequently Asked Questions - Experienced Financial Advisers

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Q. What exactly will I be selling as an Edward Jones Financial Adviser?
A. At Edward Jones, we serve individual investors interested in long-term investing strategies instead of the latest investment fads.

Core products:

Shares – blue chip bias
Capital Investment Bonds
Collective Investments
Corporate Bonds and Gilts – Investment Grade
Insurance Products
Business Protection – Key Person, Partner and Shareholder protection
Personal Pensions
Group Personal Pensions
The Edward Jones Suffolk Life SIPP
Annuities
Offshore Investments

Q. Are Edward Jones Financial Advisers tied agents?
A. No. Edward Jones Financial Advisers are whole of market, and thus free to sell products that meet Edward Jones' suitability requirements. There are no Edward Jones proprietary products and while we have a panel of preferred providers, Financial Advisers are encouraged to choose the actual investment product or service that best meets their client's needs, assuming a dealer agreement exists with that provider.

Q. Do I own my business?
A. Edward Jones Financial Advisers are employees of the company. They enjoy the freedom and independence of running their own offices, without the insecurity and major expenditures associated with being self-employed. Although Financial Advisers do not own their individual businesses, they all have the opportunity for ownership in the company through a limited or general partnership. Financial Advisers who are invited to invest capital in the firm as limited or general partners demonstrate superior sales performance and client account diversification, high ethical standards, office profitability, leadership through assistance of the other Financial Advisers and support the firm’s growth through recruiting, training and other special efforts.

Q. Is there a franchise fee?
A. Edward Jones does not offer franchises for starting an Edward Jones business. In fact, you are not self-employed but a paid employee. No upfront fee. No debt.

Q. Can I have a part-time job outside Edward Jones until my business starts growing?
A. Edward Jones does not generally allow Financial Advisers to have second jobs. This includes the time period during which you will be studying for your regulatory exams. A career as an Edward Jones Financial Adviser requires hard work and long hours. Any outside employment, regardless of how minimal, must be disclosed and approved by our Compliance Department during the recruiting process. Owning or serving as the director of another business is also prohibited.

Q. Do I get my office right away or do I work from home for a period of time?
A. With rare exception, you will be based at home when you study for your stockbroker qualifications. We start searching for a temporary and a permanent office on your first day with Edward Jones, with the aim that you are able to move into the temporary premises after completing the training. The search and build-out process for a new office usually takes two to six months. Actual time is determined by availability of space within your chosen location. Our Branch Facilities department will play a key role in this process. The standard Edward Jones office is approximately 600 to 650 square feet in size. The firm will provide furniture, office and electronic equipment. While you are working from home, Edward Jones will arrange for business telephone lines to be installed in your home and delivery of a laptop, printer and fax. Prior to signing the contract on a permanent office, your business results to date will be reviewed.

Q. When can I hire an administrator?
A. We will start advertising for an administrator as soon as we have signed the contract on the temporary office. Human Resources will help with the search and selection, but ultimately it is your decision whom to hire. The only exception is that no family member can be hired as your permanent branch administrator.

Q. Where should I establish my Edward Jones business?
A. Locating branch offices in places convenient for face-to-face contact with clients is one of Edward Jones’ key business strategies. The number and location of branches within each community is determined by a variety of factors, including population, age of residents and investable assets. We do not have sales territories at Edward Jones. You are free to do business anywhere, although the majority of your clients will be close to your branch location.