A team of nearly 19,000 Edward Jones financial advisors services over seven million clients, and this Fortune 500 firm focuses on providing a wide range of expert financial advice, particularly in the insurance, retirement, and investment spheres.
Assets Under Management:
$1.8 trillion
Fee:
0.5%-1.35%
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
Edward Jones Guided Solutions Fund Account
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
Advisory Solutions Fund Models
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. Fees tend to be higher than some competitors, especially for entry-level portfolios.
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:
Edward Jones Guided Solutions Flex and Advisory Solutions Programs 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 (Guided Solutions Flex & Advisory Solutions):
| 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?
All financial services firms have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of Edward Jones so that you can figure out if they’d be a good fit for your financial needs.
Pros of Edward Jones financial advisor:
- Personalized Service: Get in-person support from a dedicated financial advisor who knows your long-term goals.
- Wide Branch Network: Over 15,000 local offices offer convenient, community-based access.
- Comprehensive Planning: Covers retirement, insurance, and investment guidance under one roof.
- Relationship-Focused: Emphasizes long-term, trust-based client-advisor relationships.
Cons of Edward Jones financial advisor:
- Higher Fees: Advisory and management fees are above average, particularly for smaller portfolios.
- Limited Tech Tools: Online tools and digital platform options are less advanced than competitors.
- Narrower Service Range: Focuses mainly on individuals; fewer options for complex or business needs.
- Best for U.S.-Based Clients: Services are geared toward those who prefer in-person meetings in the U.S.
One of the main selling points of Edward Jones financial services is its prioritization of forming strong client relationships. With skilled and diligent professionals available, these team members make sure that each client feels prioritized as an individual as well as a customer.
Which Edward Jones financial advisor solution should you choose?
Here's a quick guide to help you find the right fit based on your goals and the level of advisor support you prefer:
- Edward Jones Select Account
Best for self-directed investors seeking occasional guidance from an advisor. - Guided Solutions Fund Account
Ideal for 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.
Edward Jones financial advisor: technology
Although the Edward Jones group is a traditional one with years of experience under its belt, team members have embraced technology, and the firm has invested $500 million into its digital strategy.
Edward Jones financial advisors and clients have access to Financial Foundation, a proprietary tool that helps to plan and track financial journeys.
Edward Jones financial advisor security: is it secure?
The information handled by team members at Edward Jones is well protected so that 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
Deciding which financial advisor to choose is a big decision. While Edward Jones is a large, well-established financial services company, it only specializes in three main areas and has higher-than-average fees. It’s also faced controversy in the past due to serious transgressions. These are serious considerations that could affect the choice you make.
If you’re looking for expert financial advice, Unbiased can match you with an SEC-regulated financial advisor best suited to your needs. You can get the advice you need and learn more about managing your money and financial future.
Frequently asked questions
Does Edward Jones charge an advisory fee?
Yes, Edward Jones charges an annualized advisory fee based on the value of assets held in the client's account.
Are Edward Jones' fees high?
Edward Jones charges tiered fees that decrease as your account grows. However, a 1.35% fee is considered high compared to other financial advisory firms. These fees are especially high given that many people can create similar portfolios on their own with some research and a desire to learn about investing.
What is the penalty for taking money out of your Edward Jones account?
If you are younger than 59½, the IRS generally considers the payout an early distribution, which could result in a 10% early withdrawal penalty in addition to federal and state income taxes.
How does Edward Jones compare to other financial advisory companies?
We’ve compared Edward Jones with other financial advisor companies. Find out more here:
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