For the third time, Edward Jones financial advisers rank the firm highest in employee adviser satisfaction among financial investment firms.

That's according to a newly released study by J.D. Power and Associates, said Craig Stokes, a financial adviser in Southern Pines.

Edward Jones financial advisers gave the highest satisfaction ratings in six of the eight study factors which placed the firm 193 points ahead of the industry average.

The firm also ranked highest in the 2007 study and tied for the highest ranking in 2008. The study was not conducted in 2009.

Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliate, in Canada.

Every aspect of the firm's business, from the types of investment options offered to the location of branch offices, is designed to cater to individual investors in the communities in which they live and work, a company news release said.

The firm's 12,000-plus financial advisers work directly with nearly 7 million clients to understand their personal goals - from college savings to retirement - and create long-term investment solutions.

Edward Jones, which ranked No. 2 on Fortune magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" in 2010, is headquartered in St. Louis.

The Edward Jones website is www.edwardjones.com, and its recruiting website is www.careers.edwardjones.com.