TO PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE TO CLIENTS,
Edward Jones focuses on attracting, training, and developing
highly talented individuals. This includes a mix of mid-career
and young professionals, with accelerated results bringing
experienced financial advisors to the firm. The 97-year-old
financial services firm says its long-term commitment to steady
growth is a strategy that makes it unique in the industry.
“Profit is a by-product of serving clients exceptionally well,”
says Katherine Mauzy, head of financial advisor talent acquisi-
tion, noting that one-on-one relationships focused on helping
clients achieve their most important goals is at the heart of the
Edward Jones business model.
Unlike many other financial service firms and brokeragehouses, Edward Jones is organized as
a limited partnership. It doesn’t have to
answer to corporate shareholders. Rather,
its priorities are set by the partners, who are
all employees themselves. “This allows us to
have a commitment to long-term strategies,”
says Mauzy, adding that the firm not only en-
courages a collaborative work environment
but also invests in training and developing
financial advisors throughout their careers.
During the 2008 recession, for example,
while many financial service firms eliminated
training for new financial advisors, Edward
Jones stepped it up. “When there are down-
turns in the market, that’s when we double
down on our most important investment,”
Mauzy says.
Indeed, Edward Jones prides itself on
being a great place for experienced financial
advisors who are seeking a better home for
their clients. Built around a branch-office
structure, the firm allows financial advisors
to grow their own businesses independently,
bolstered by home office expertise and a
network of more than 13,000 offices in 273
regions across 50 states.
Experienced financial advisors who de-
cide to move their practice to Edward Jones
find a wide range of support services. A
transition specialist is available to coordinate
all aspects of the move, including help in
hiring a personal branch-office administrator.
Regional leaders volunteer their time to over-
see the acclimation of new financial advisors,
and regional events provide a way to share
ideas and learn from others’ successes.
And talent growth has been impres-
sive. Last year, Edward Jones added 1,520
financial advisors to its network of more than
17,600. “This week alone, we onboarded
nine experienced financial advisors from
other firms,” says Mauzy.
Financial advisors craft customized solu-
tions to reflect individual client goals, using
products ranging from annuities and insur-
ance to mutual funds and equities. Technol-
ogy is a key complement to an optimal client
experience, with Edward Jones embracing
platforms with high-performance analytic
and portfolio tools and fully supported re-
mote system access.
Survey after survey ranks Edward Jones
as a great place to work, whether the study
focuses on women, millennials, training,
diversity, or employee satisfaction. One
reason: Edward Jones puts its people first.
Says Mauzy: “We’re all rowing in the same
direction to deliver the best possible client
experience.”■Making It Personal
A growth strategy focused on relationshipsis bringing top talent to Edward Jones.“Profit is a
by-product of
serving clients
e xcep tionally
well .”KATHERINE MAUZY
Head of Financial
Advisor Talent
Acquisition,
Edward Jones