For the 18th time, the financial services firm Edward Jones ranked No. 1 in REP magazine’s annual survey of the nation’s six largest financial services firms, according to Jay Geddings and Sue Watson, Edward Jones financial advisors in Polk County, and Christopher Chestnutt, an Edward Jones financial advisor in Landrum.

The magazine randomly selects financial advisors nationwide and asks them to rank their firms in various categories.

Edward Jones’ overall score was 9.3 out of 10 possible points. Additionally, 96 percent of respondents said they believe Edward Jones is the best firm to work for in the financial services industry.

According to the magazine, the firm’s culture ‘remained a critical key to the firm’s high scores,’ advisors said, praising Edward Jones’ partnership platform and commitment to clients.

Some of Edward Jones’ highest scores were 9.7 for ethics, 9.3 for clarity of client account statements, 9.5 for client access to online account information and 9.7 for the high quality of the firm’s branch office administrators. Reps rated their current employers on 33 items related to their satisfaction. Ratings are based on a 1 to 10 scale, with 10 representing the highest satisfaction level.

In January 2012, for the 13th year, Edward Jones was named one of the best companies to work for by FORTUNE Magazine in its annual listing. The firm ranked No. 5 overall and No. 3 in Large Size Companies. These 13 FORTUNE rankings include top 10 finishes for nine years, consecutive No. 1 rankings in 2002 and 2003, and consecutive No. 2 rankings in 2009 and 2010.

– article submitted