Q: Describe your role within the firm.
A: I am a member of the legal team of Edward Jones Trust Company. In my role, I evaluate duties and manage risks specific to trust company prospective and current relationships. In addition, I serve as a general estate planning resource for Financial Advisors.* Q: Describe how your division contributes to the firm's success.
A: The Products and Sales division represents an extension of services that are available to clients at individual branches. More specifically, we are able to provide banking and trust services to clients of the firm, which in turn fosters long term relationships and helps clients to keep their assets with Edward Jones. Q: What year did you start at Edward Jones? What year did you start in your current position?
A: After my first year of law school, I began working part-time at Edward Jones as a Legal Intern in the Trust Company in August, 2002. I began serving in my current role as Associate Trust Counsel once I graduated and passed the bar exam in October, 2004. Q: What did you do prior to joining Edward Jones?
A: I attended law school and worked as a Law Clerk for a small firm. Q: Are there any memorable experiences, perhaps helping a Financial Advisor or BOA, you’d like to share that encapsulate or typify what it’s like to work for Edward Jones?
A: Recently I had the opportunity to interact with a group of 15 BOAs at a baseball game who were winners of a recent BOA contest. They were from all over the United States and Canada and ranged in experience from being very new to veterans. With each BOA that I spoke with, I was told story after story of their experiences with Financial Advisors and home office associates working together in the best interests of their clients. Although they were from different geographic regions and different tenures in their careers, their examples all focused around helping clients. Hearing those examples and the unique roles that the BOAs played in the relationship by keeping it all together reinforced the notion of teamwork that sets the firm apart from others. Q: Describe the culture at Edward Jones and how it’s different from your previous job. What is unique?
A: Many places consider themselves to be a "team environment" but with Edward Jones it simply is the only way of doing things. At the branch level the Financial Advisor and BOA work hand-in-hand to develop and service their client relationships. In turn, from the home office we are able to provide a large network of support to the branches by identifying individuals who are knowledgeable in key areas, all of whom are eager to share their knowledge. Recognizing the interdependence between the branches and home office creates a unique sense of appreciation amongst associates in all areas of the firm. Q: One area Edward Jones prides itself is enabling associates to maintain a strong work-life balance. How does this approach impact you?
A: It is not uncommon for firms to demand and expect their associates to place their job responsibilities second to none. At Edward Jones, while the firm maintains a high level of performance expectations, there is a clear respect and understanding of a work-life balance. With the appropriate balance in place, I have been able to develop professionally while continuing to focus on things most important to me outside of work such as family, friends, and Cardinals baseball. Q: What does the firm being a partnership mean to you?
A: Being a partnership goes well beyond the financial rewards. As owners, the partnership instills a true sense of accountability in associates, building loyalty and pride into our work. As a result of this, the firm itself becomes a much stronger and better place-- for associates and clients. Q: Do you think Edward Jones has taken good care of you in terms of overall compensation package, including medical benefits, vacation time, retirement planning and salary?
A: Edward Jones offers unique benefits such as profit sharing, trimester bonuses, and limited partnership offerings. These generous extras make the already competitive compensation structure even more attractive by rewarding associates for their extra contributions. Q: Do you feel there are opportunities for advancement and greater income potential at Edward Jones?
A: Without question, there is strong potential for associates at Edward Jones to advance in various areas at the firm. With the extras in the compensation system that are designed to reward associates who set themselves apart from others, the possibility to realize greater income is always present. Q: What qualities do you think a person needs to have to succeed in the home office environment?
A: Associates with a strong character, passion in what they do, and respect for their fellow associates are the ones who achieve the highest level of success. In addition, those who are able to take it seriously, but to enjoy what they do are the associates who are most likely to thrive. Q: There are very few offices at Edward Jones, with nearly all the firm's leaders located in cubicles. What does this structure mean to you?
A: The cubicle structure is both practical and symbolic in that it makes every associate in the firm, regardless of rank or title, approachable at all times. Each associate is treated with equal respect and is encouraged to work together and to learn from those around them. The structure helps to remove boundaries, and in turn helps associates to become friends rather than simply colleagues. Q: How has the firm supported your professional growth via training opportunities?
A: Edward Jones offers a wide variety of internal training courses and encourages associates to seek out those opportunities. In addition, the firm is fully supportive of associates exploring external professional training. As an attorney, a set amount of continuing education credits are mandatory and Edward Jones has made it easy to reach those levels by providing full support for various seminars each year. In 2005, I was sent to a one week conference in Wisconsin where I was able to learn from nationally renowned estate planning attorneys while colleagues of mine have attended similar programs. Q: What has the firm's growth meant for leadership opportunities?
A: As the firm has continued to grow and offer new services, there has been a strong focus on leadership development amongst associates. Those with the required level of knowledge and skill are consistently rewarded with leadership opportunities as they arise. Q: How do you see your future at Edward Jones unfolding?
A: Right now is an exciting time at Edward Jones. The firm has been experiencing a large amount of growth and plans are in place for expanding our presence in the St. Louis area. With the many bright prospects that lay ahead for Edward Jones, while my exact future at the firm may be uncertain, it does promise to be rich with growth and opportunity. *Our Financial Advisors at Edward Jones are not Estate Planners and cannot provide any tax or legal advice.
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