What is an Associate Financial Advisor?

To provide clients with the best possible service, it takes a team. An associate financial advisor is a critical part of a branch office team. One who can assist the financial advisor by meeting with clients, reviewing important information and working with others to ensure clients have a top-notch experience. Like other positions in the financial industry, it’s rewarding as associate financial advisors work with clients to help them reach their goals and make a lasting impact on the surrounding community. Read on to learn more about what it’s like to be an associate financial advisor, the skills it takes and the process to get there.

What is an associate financial advisor?

An associate financial advisor is an important part of allowing the branch office team to more fully serve their community and clients. Associate financial advisors work with established financial advisors to serve clients, grow the branch’s business and positively impact their community. Edward Jones currently employs hundreds of associate financial advisors across the country and has opportunities available for continued expansion.

To be effective in their role, an associate financial advisor should have an assortment of skills and attributes to call on when advising clients and working closely with the branch office team. A successful associate financial advisor is personable, driven and a critical thinker who enjoys building client relationships.

In addition, an associate financial advisor must have deep knowledge of financial products and how to apply them. Because of this, the associate financial advisor role requires the same registrations and licenses as a financial advisor, including Series 7 and Series 66, FINRA licenses, state insurance licenses and continued training.

What does an associate financial advisor do?

Just like a financial advisor, an associate financial advisor works with clients to help them reach their financial goals. Starting with gathering information to best understand clients’ needs and priorities, an associate financial advisor applies this information to use the financial tools and understanding of the markets and regulations to help clients manage their financial assets. An associate financial advisor meets with clients regularly to track progress toward their goals and update their plans as any life changes or new goals may require.

Along with the financial advisor and branch office administrator, the associate financial advisor creates and monitors the branch office’s business plan to work toward common goals.

“One of my main priorities as an associate financial advisor is to create capacity for the financial advisor by meeting with our clients and ensuring we have updated information on their financial goals,” said Denise Townley, an Edward Jones associate financial advisor based in San Antonio, Texas. “We work together to ensure all of our clients receive the best experience we can provide.”

A day in the life of an associate financial advisor

No two clients are the same, so no two days as an associate financial advisor are the same. This is what many associate financial advisors enjoy most about their position. Requests and needs vary daily and could include researching portfolio performance, making changes to portfolio investments, partnering with other members of the clients’ professional team such as attorneys, accountants and trust officers to help fully understand the client’s goals and circumstances, along with many more client needs and situations.

Associate financial advisors enjoy working with people in the community while contributing to the success of the branch office. Meeting with clients and others means that each day offers new challenges and opportunities for an associate financial advisor. Denise agrees that her role contributes to her team, which includes financial advisor Michelle Wood, and provides value for their clients.

“I do everything that Michelle does, including meeting with our clients and conducting annual reviews,” said Denise. “This support gives the financial advisor valuable time back. It’s beneficial to the client because it saves time.”

For example, Denise will often do initial calls with clients before they meet with Michelle for their annual review. Denise covers basic information and questions so their time with Michelle can be more focused and strategic.

“An associate financial advisor is most important when supporting clients in a more timely manner,” said Michelle. “Having Denise as part of our team has elevated the client experience for our clients.

What does it take to be a successful associate financial advisor?

The ability to apply knowledge and be a problem solver while working with clients is critical to the associate financial advisor role. An associate financial advisor is able to work and make recommendations independently of a financial advisor, furthermore, the financial advisor is available as a resource for the team.

Associate financial advisors should be able to build relationships with clients and those within the community. This creates more trust for the associate financial advisor and the branch office, helping them to better serve the community and clients.

Clients are entrusting the associate financial advisor and the branch office with helping them reach their future goals. This is not something to be taken lightly. Working with people on their financial goals requires a level of professionalism and an ability to be thorough with attention to detail to ensure information is correct.

“Learning new things every day is key to my success and longevity as an associate financial advisor,” Denise said. “By adding value to our clients and ensuring we’re using our time together as efficiently as possible, we’re able to better serve them.”

Financial advisor Michelle Wood knows this firsthand. When she welcomed Denise as an associate financial advisor on her Edward Jones branch team at her office in San Antonio, Texas, she saw the opportunity to use the resources extended to all financial advisors to benefit Denise’s professional development.

“Edward Jones provides great training for financial advisors and associate financial advisors alike,” said Michelle. “By receiving the same level of excellent training – regardless of title – we’re able to ensure the client experience doesn’t waiver no matter who our clients interact with.”

Denise adds that the resources available to associate financial advisors often extend past the initial training period.

“Other associate financial advisors in my market have been critical to my development,” said Denise. “We discuss client situations and learning opportunities regularly, and it helps tremendously to have a group of like-minded colleagues who can share their own experiences.”

How do you become an associate financial advisor?

To become an associate financial advisor, a high school diploma or equivalent is required; a bachelor’s degree is preferred. After successfully completing the application and hiring process, associate financial advisors take part in Edward Jones’ training program. Next, new associate financial advisors work to obtain the required registrations and licenses if the associate financial advisor doesn’t have them yet.

Here are the requirements to become an Edward Jones associate financial advisor:

• High School Diploma/Equivalent required; Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Series 7 and Series 66 are required, if not currently registered, registrations may be obtained at Edward Jones during the assigned study period.
• At least 3-5 years of relevant experience in the securities industry is preferred.
• FINRA licenses are required within three months. State insurance licenses are required.
• As an associate, you are required to complete all ongoing training offered by the firm and regulatory authorities, as well as required training to maintain a license in good standing.

Edward Jones has an extensive training program to help new associate financial advisors acquire their licenses. This includes study guides and trainers to answer questions and help trainees work through the material. In addition, preparatory classes both in-person and virtual further assist new financial advisors in learning the new material.

How much does an associate financial advisor make?

The Edward Jones associate financial advisor is a salaried position with market-competitive compensation as well as a package that includes bonus potential, 401K, profit sharing, and comprehensive and competitive health benefits. Associate financial advisors also receive paid time off, including vacation, sick, holidays and personal days. There is also an opportunity for merit-based salary increases as associate financial advisors progress in the role. To learn more about the benefits package that is offered, visit edwardjonesbenefits.com.

Furthermore, Edward Jones provides a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.

Apply to become an associate financial advisor

An associate financial advisor works with clients to manage their wealth using financial tools and knowledge of markets and regulations. As part of a branch office team, the associate financial advisor partners with the financial advisor and branch office administrator to reach the office’s goals. It’s a rewarding career path that requires the ability to think on one’s feet while using sound judgment.

To find an Edward Jones associate financial advisor position, visit our careers page.

This single-minded focus is at the heart of our unique branch-team model. The firm invests in getting financial advisor branch offices up and running and offers ongoing support.