Edward Jones is the nation’s largest financial-services firm in terms of branch offices, with more than 9,900 U.S. locations. Every aspect of firm business, from investment types to branch locations, is designed to cater to its more than 7 million individual investors in communities where they live and work. Financial advisors help clients to understand personal goals and create long-term, well-balanced, buy-and-hold investment strategies. The typical Edward Jones branch includes one financial advisor and one branch office administrator (BOA) working in partnership and meeting with clients face to face.

Edward Jones is a partnership owned by 10,984 limited partners and 326 general partners. It is likely America’s largest operating partnership. All associates are eligible to become partners and share in firm revenues. In fact, more BOAs than financial advisors are partners. Each limited partner earned a 16% return on that investment in 2008, getting a check in early 2009. That’s in addition to the 7.5% interest paid on their partnership capital. Edward Jones devotes 24% of net profits – $67.5 million in 2008 – to profit sharing for associates employed six months or more who work at least 20 hours weekly. On average, 2008 profit sharing represented a 3% bump in compensation. Associates who perform well participate in a trimester bonus program when times are good. In 2008, home-office associates earned bonuses in two of three trimesters. BOAs qualify for a bonus determined by firm profitability and share in financial advisors’ profitability bonus.