Edward Jones: Who are they?
Edward Jones is a financial advisory company with over 20,000 financial advisors across the US.
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Established in 1922, the firm is now headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.
Edward Jones is often thought of as a more expensive firm, due to it's advisory program fee starting at 1.40%.
The firm is often more suited to investors who value face-to-face advice, a long-term relationship, and help staying invested through volatility.
Assets under management:
$2.5 trillion
Number of advisors:
20,000
Time in business:
1922
Fee:
0.5%-1.40%
Fee structure:
Fee-based
Minimum account sizes:
$5,000–$300,000
Edward Jones financial advisor: Account options and minimum account sizes
Edward Jones offers several types of advisory accounts, each designed with a different level of advisor involvement and portfolio customization:
Edward Jones select account
A transactional, commission-based account where the advisor provides investment guidance when requested. Ideal for self-directed investors.
- Minimum account sizes: $0
Edward Jones guided solutions
A managed account with mutual funds and ETFs. Clients work with their advisor to build and maintain a diversified portfolio.
- Minimum account sizes: $5,000
Edward Jones guided solutions flex account
A more flexible option that includes mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, and bonds. Advisors collaborate regularly with clients to manage and adjust portfolios.
- Minimum investment: $25,000–$50,000 (depending on asset types)
Edward Jones advisory solutions
A model-based approach where clients and advisors choose from prebuilt portfolios based on investment goals and risk tolerance.
- Minimum investment: $25,000
Advisory solutions UMA (unified managed account) models
Designed for high-net-worth clients seeking actively managed, tax-sensitive portfolios that may include mutual funds, ETFs, and separately managed accounts (SMAs). Offers the highest level of customization and advisor involvement.
- Minimum investment:
– $300,000 for standard models
– $500,000–$1 million+ for advanced or custom portfolios
Edward Jones financial advisor: Fees
Edward Jones uses both commission-based and fee-based structures, depending on the account type.
1. Edward Jones select account:
- Commission-based
- Sales charges typically range from 0.75% to 5.75%, depending on the investment type and amount
- No firm-wide account minimum, though individual investments may have purchase minimums
2. Edward Jones guided solutions flex & advisory solutions programs:
These typically charge tiered advisory fees based on account value, starting at 1.35% and decreasing to 0.50% for assets over $10 million.
Annual fee rate:
| Value of Assets | Annual Fee Rate |
|---|---|
| First $250,000 | 1.35% |
| Next $250,000 | 1.30% |
| Next $500,000 | 1.20% |
| Next $1,500,000 | 1.00% |
| Next $2,500,000 | 0.80% |
| Next $5,000,000 | 0.60% |
| Over $10,000,000 | 0.50% |
3. Edward Jones advisory solutions funds program and UMA models:
Edward Jones Advisory Solutions Funds Program and UMA Models charge both a program fee and platform fee, starting at 1.35% + 0.05%, and reducing to 0.50% + 0.00% for high-balance accounts.
| Value of Assets | Program Fee | Platform Fee |
|---|---|---|
| First $250,000 | 1.35% | 0.05% |
| Next $250,000 | 1.30% | 0.05% |
| Next $500,000 | 1.20% | 0.04% |
| Next $1,500,000 | 1.00% | 0.03% |
| Next $2,500,000 | 0.80% | 0.02% |
| Next $5,000,000 | 0.60% | 0.01% |
| Over $10,000,000 | 0.50% | 0.00% |
Note: Additional portfolio strategy fees and third-party fund expenses may apply.
What are the pros and cons of Edward Jones financial advisor?
Here are some of the pros and cons of Edward Jones to help you decide if it's the right firm for you.
✅ Pros of Edward Jones financial advisor
- Personalized advice: Dedicated advisor focused on your long-term goals.
- Wide branch network: Over 15,000 local offices across the US.
- Comprehensive planning: Retirement, insurance, and investment advice.
- Relationship-focused: Long-term, one-to-one advisor relationships.
⭕ Cons of Edward Jones financial advisor
- Higher fees: Above-average advisory and investment costs.
- Limited technology: Fewer digital tools than many competitors.
- Limited complex services: Less suited to business or advanced planning needs.
- US-focused: Best for clients who want in-person advice in the US.
Which Edward Jones financial advisor solution should you choose?
The right solutions will depend on your goals and the level of advisor support you prefer. Here is a short overview of the Edward Jones offerings:
- Edward Jones select account
Suited to self-directed investors seeking occasional guidance from an advisor. - Guided solutions fund account
Suited to new investors who want collaborative portfolio building with advisor input. - Guided solutions flex account
Suitable for investors with moderate-to-high assets who want more flexibility and regular advisor support. - Advisory solutions fund models
Designed for investors looking for a ready-made, managed investment strategy aligned with their goals and risk tolerance. - Advisory solutions UMA models
Tailored for high-net-worth clients needing tax-optimized, customized portfolios with hands-on, active advisor management.
Is an Edward Jones financial advisor a fiduciary?
It depends on the account type.
Edward Jones is both a broker-dealer and an investment advisor, so the standard your advisor follows depends on the account, not the individual.
- For guided solutions and advisory solutions, Edward Jones acts as an investment advisor and owes you a fiduciary duty. It must act in your best interest, disclose material conflicts, and monitor your account on an ongoing basis.
- For a select account, which is a commission-based brokerage account, your advisor is subject to the SEC's Regulation Best Interest standard. They must act in your best interest when making recommendations, but they do not have an ongoing duty to monitor your account.
Do Edelman Financial Engines have good customer service?
Edelman Financial Engines provides a dedicated financial planner, supported by a service team, with support available by phone, email, and its client portal. Clients also receive regular scheduled reviews.
Customer reviews generally praise advisor access, responsive service, and proactive communication.
Common criticisms include inconsistent experiences between offices.
Edward Jones financial advisor security: Is it secure?
Edward Jones state that the information handled by team members is well protected and each client’s personal data remains as safe and secure as possible.
However, the firm has faced issues in the past.
In 2004, it paid a $75 million U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regulatory settlement after not disclosing conflicts of interest over mutual funds.
In 2018, they were also sued after complaints were received about brokers switching customer accounts simply to earn higher commissions.
Seek expert financial advice
Edward Jones is a large, established firm known for personalized advice, but its higher fees, narrower service offering, and past regulatory issues may not suit every investor.
If you’re looking for expert financial advice, Unbiased can match you with an SEC-regulated financial advisor below.
Frequently asked questions
Fact checked 08/30/2026