On paper, Edward Jones has bonafides that seem enviable: a stable brand, a proven operating model, and a supportive culture. Yet the firm has also been dogged for years by the perception that it is a “junior level” platform, a place where new advisors cut their teeth but not necessarily where elite producers build their long-term careers.
In recent years, leadership at Edward Jones has worked to change that narrative. The firm has rolled out initiatives aimed at wealthier clients, invested in technology upgrades, and publicly highlighted the growth of its high-end producers who are now hitting stratospheric levels of assets under management (AUM). Still, the push upmarket has not erased the disconnect many top advisors feel between what is promised and what is delivered.
That gap explains why more and more high-producing Jones advisors, those with hundreds of millions in AUM, are peering over the fence and finding greener pastures elsewhere.
What Recent Moves Reveal
In recent months, several high-end Edward Jones advisors have made the leap. Their individual circumstances differ, but the themes are strikingly consistent:
Advisors in the Midwest, managing hundreds of millions, left for a platform that better supported their ability to scale, expand client services, and run their practices with greater flexibility.
A team in the South with significant AUM chose an independent model that offered stronger technology, dedicated transition support, and access to a broader menu of investments. They felt these features would better serve their diverse client base.
A veteran advisor in the Northwest, overseeing well over $300 million, moved on after losing confidence in promised but undelivered technology upgrades. Within weeks at a new firm, they were already using estate planning, lending, and research tools that had previously been out of reach.
Taken together, these stories show a clear pattern. The most productive Edward Jones advisors are not leaving out of restlessness. They are leaving because the firms recruiting them are delivering tools, autonomy, and economics that allow them to operate at the true scale of their business.
What Advisors Say They’re Missing
The decision to leave often stems from frustration with gaps that become glaring once advisors cross certain production thresholds. The most common pain points include:
Limited flexibility in product offerings – Lack of access to alternatives, lending, and specialized planning tools.
Compensation and ownership – High producers want higher payouts and equity opportunities that align with their contributions.
Control over client relationships – Advisors want full ownership of their client data and the ability to structure their practice without restrictions.
Operational support and tools – From estate planning projections to Roth conversion calculators, advisors are finding they are missing key technology and back-office support.
Succession and legacy planning – Many want to create enterprise value and plan for succession, something harder to achieve within Edward Jones’ framework.
What They Gain When They Leave
For those who take the leap, the contrast is often immediate and dramatic. Advisors typically gain:
Higher payouts and equity options, which can reshape lifetime earnings.
Broader investment and planning platforms, including alternatives, lending solutions, and advanced tech.
Greater autonomy and control over how to run the practice and serve clients.
Robust transition support designed to smooth the move and retain clients.
New growth avenues, from teaming structures to access to more sophisticated clients.
The Larger Context
Edward Jones’ efforts to push upmarket are real, and some advisors are indeed reaching extraordinary production levels under its banner. But the tension remains: does the platform truly support advisors once they hit those stratospheric numbers? For some, the answer is yes. For many others, the lure of firms that already have the tools, technology, and economics in place is proving too strong to ignore.
When It’s Time to Explore Options
The signs are often clear:
You are producing at a level where outside firms would compete aggressively for your book.
You are constrained by missing technology or investment options.
Promised improvements are not materializing.
You are thinking about succession, equity, or creating long-term enterprise value.
If any of these resonate, it may be time to at least explore what is across the fence.
How 3xEquity Helps Advisors Make the Move
For advisors considering a transition, 3xEquity simplifies the process:
Multiple offers, kept anonymous – Explore your options without tipping your hand.
Valuation and strategy – Understand the true value of your book so you can negotiate from strength.
A deep network – With over 200 broker-dealer and RIA partners, you will see what is possible across the industry.
Transition guidance – From client communications to compliance, we help you minimize disruption and maximize retention.
And the cost? None. We are paid by the firms that want to recruit you.
Final Thought
Edward Jones has built an enviable reputation for training and developing advisors. But for many who have grown beyond the firm’s traditional mold, the opportunities outside, higher payouts, broader platforms, and greater control, can be game-changing.
If you are one of those advisors peering over the fence, do not settle for wondering. With 3xEquity, you can explore offers confidentially, compare them side by side, and choose the path that best fits your future.
