Q: Describe your role within the firm.
A: I am responsible for value added audits of the Edward Jones I.T. infrastructure and systems to ensure that risks to client and firm data are protected and controls are in place to ensure that system risks remain low. Q: Describe how your division contributes to the firm's success.
A: Internal audit assists firm management in achieving its objectives and protecting the firm from risk. Q: What year did you start at Edward Jones? What year did you start in your current position?
A: I started at Edward Jones in 2003. I started in my current position in 2005. Q: What did you do prior to joining Edward Jones?
A: Before Edward Jones, I was a senior auditor for a leading telecommunications company. Q: Are there any memorable experiences you’d like to share that encapsulate or typify what it’s like to work for Edward Jones?
A: As part of leadership development in the Internal Audit department, associates are encouraged to visit Financial Advisor branches to better understand the role of the Financial Advisor and their relationship with our clients. On my last visit, I was able to sit with the Financial Advisor and a potential client that had recently lost her job. The client had done little investing and was very worried about the future of her two year-old daughter. The initial reason for the visit was to rollover the lady's modest 401K, which she was much relieved to do as the company that she had worked for was financially unstable. Through one brief and simple conversation, the Financial Advisor was able to accomplish the client's goals and educate her about investments that she was not aware of like a trust and a 529 plan for her daughter. I saw that our new client was relieved to know that she had found someone that she could trust and could help her with her current and future investment needs. Q: Describe the culture at Edward Jones and how it’s different from your previous job. What is unique?
A: At Edward Jones people care. People care about their profession, they care about their peers, and they care about the firm's clients. At other companies focus was always on budgets, quarterly profits, and lay-offs; at Edward Jones we don't focus on these things because as long as we all keep caring about this firm and our clients, we know that we won't have to. Q: One area Edward Jones prides itself is enabling associates to maintain a strong work-life balance. How does this approach impact you?
A: Edward Jones provides people with options. My eight year old son was in the hospital some time ago, my leaders at Edward Jones simply said, “Take care of your family, don't worry about the office.” I am able to make parent teacher meetings and arrange my schedule to make school plays. Leaders at Edward Jones understand families and the needs of parents. Q: What does the firm being a partnership mean to you?
A: Firm partnership means doing the right things for the right reasons; not because it's good for Wall Street. People turn the lights off in empty conference rooms because they know that they are responsible for the electricity bill. Edward Jones has a history of making long term decisions which help the firm to grow and serve our clients better. At Jones we are putting in new networks and upgrading systems to serve the client better. I don't know that this would happen on such a large scale if we were not a partnership. Q: Before you came to Edward Jones, what did the name mean to you? And after you came on board?
A: I studied Edward Jones in case studies during graduate school and read about the firm in Fortune – it had a good reputation and appeared to be well run with leaders that cared. After joining the firm it was hard to believe just how true the research was that I did before joining the firm. I guess it takes a while to get used to being treated like an associate – and not an employee. Q: Articulate the spirit of volunteerism that exists at Edward Jones. How have you been involved and what was that experience like?
A: Our department was given a choice to decide on a department outing. At other companies where I have been, people would have decided to have a picnic or do something that benefited only them. Instead we chose to take the time and do volunteer work at Rankin Jordan, a children's hospital in the area. It was a rewarding day for everyone and we had a lot of fun. Q: Do you feel there are opportunities for advancement and greater income potential at Edward Jones?
A: Edward Jones offers opportunities for advancement for everyone who is ready to take on more responsibility. We are a growing firm and we need good people. I was told when I joined Edward Jones about all of the growth that had happened before I joined; I felt like I'd missed all of the excitement. That was three years ago, and now I know that there is never a bad time to join the firm; there is always a new opportunity. Q: What qualities do you think a person needs to have to succeed in the home office environment?
A: Solid skills and intelligence are the norm at Edward Jones. Edward Jones needs people who have drive and tenacity, and who want to use their skills to help solve issues that help our clients. Q: How do you see your future at Edward Jones unfolding?
A: I don't feel that I have any limits or restrictions at Edward Jones. My future here is to be wherever Edward Jones needs me and my skills. Q: As you go through your daily activities, how do you know you’ve achieved success at Edward Jones?
A: I feel like I'm successful when I can see how much associates on my team have grown since joining the team. Each day, I try to do something to bring about opportunities for people to grow. 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 hierarchy at Edward Jones is very flat when compared to other similar sized firms. It's easy to approach leaders in the firm because they are accessible. Q: How has the firm supported your professional growth via training opportunities?
A: In addition to external training classes, Edward Jones has on-site training for many technologies. The classes are scheduled regularly and open to all associates. I have been able to attend various industry seminars allowing me to develop a network which includes other professionals from various companies. Q: Describe the training you received when you started.
A: I was surprised to find that initial training for all home office associates is the same, no matter what the position. Everyone at Edward Jones is given a solid foundation on who our client is, the history of Jones, and how those two things affect the firm's future. Q: In terms of ongoing training, are you able to use either internal or external continuing education to continue to grow your career at Edward Jones?
A: My leadership encourages two weeks of training per year for each associate on the team, much of it is external. Q: What has the firm's growth meant for leadership opportunities? A: There is never a bad time to join Edward Jones. The opportunities for leadership are everywhere for those ready to take on new responsibilities. I can think of no better firm in which to take a lead role in helping so many people reach their dreams.
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