Pros
Overall a company with excellent values and no proprietary products to be pressured to sell. Liked opportunity to have my "own business" (see con) which was a nicely appointed office IN my home town.
Cons
Your "own business" is not really the case. I was technically an employee and therefore the book of business is really Jones'...not yours to pick up and take where ever you may choose in the future. I didn't do my homework well enough on how Advisors are paid (fee for service (hourly/project), % of assets under management, or commission on the sale of a product). At the time I was primarily limited to selling a product (mutual fund, stock, etf, bond, insurance) and the fee-based possibilities required at least $500k to get started. Since then, they have launched a fee-based platform which I have heard the Advisors appreciate. In my current situation I can do all three, giving me the flexibility to be compensated in the way that makes the most sense for my client. This is a tough business to get started. Perhaps optimal if you are young, single and financially flexible OR if you have some significant savings in place OR if you have a spouse that can support you while you build an income.