For the fifth year in a row, Willis Johnson & Associates was recognized as a Best Place to Work for Financial Advisers by InvestmentNews.
The InvestmentNews award criteria recognize employee satisfaction, professional growth and career opportunities, and a firm's focus on its employee's well-being. The recognition offered by InvestmentNews as a Best Place to Work for Financial Advisors confirms that our firm's focus on serving employees well is being acknowledged.
What It's Like To Work at WJA
In addition to surveys sent by awarding organizations such as InvestmentNews, Willis Johnson & Associates also conducts in-house surveys on employee satisfaction, suggestions for improvement, and recommendations for company activities. As a firm, we pride ourselves on incorporating these responses into the benefits and overarching employee experience, including:
Taking Care of Employees
When times get tough, people want to know their jobs are secure as they endure what life throws at them. During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, WJA became a fully hybrid firm and began offering employees annual stipends and supplies to establish an ergonomic home office. The firm also covers 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums for employees and their families.
As we’ve seen the impact that trustworthy financial advice can have on our clients, the firm has also rolled out discounted financial planning and asset management for employees to aid them in reaching their long-term financial goals.
Life at WJA
As the popular adage goes, at Willis Johnson & Associates, we "work hard and play hard." Whether the firm is participating in chili cook-offs, virtual cooking classes, company potlucks, exploring Houston's evolving food scene, or volunteering for a local charity, WJA’s in-house social committee keeps the calendar filled with activities and outings for employees. Also, the firm offers internal recognition for major life milestones and daily contributions to the firm.
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Professional Development
Employees are encouraged to participate in several professional organizations including the Financial Planning Association of Houston, the G2 Leadership Institute, and the Houston Estate & Financial Forum.
In 2020, the firm launched its mentorship program, LEAD (Leadership, Experience, Advocacy, Drive) for all employees to gain insight into various areas of personal and professional growth in one-on-one meetings with mentors from other departments and members of the leadership team.
Additionally, WJA covers the cost of registration and travel expenses for educational events, and reimbursement for study materials and exam expenses for professional exams (CFP®, CFA®, Series 65, etc.).
Career Opportunities
Like many things in life, career goals have the potential to change over time. Willis Johnson & Associates offers career paths in each department that allow employees to get an idea of where they're headed and what it takes to climb the ladder in their department.Over time, the best and brightest leaders will have opportunities to buy into and become owners of the firm. In 2020, Alexis Long, CFP, became the first external shareholder to join the firm’s ownership, followed by Leah Cessna, CPA, and Elena Collot in 2023.
For those who want to transition into other departments more suited to their skillsets and interests, the firm also offers guidance on how to pivot into a new career path within the organization.
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Since WJA's founding, the employee experience has been a pillar of focus for the leadership team.
"We've always been firm believers that when we treat our employees well, our employees turn around to offer our clients unparalleled service," Willis Johnson & Associates President, Nick Johnson, CFA®, CFP® said. "It's of the utmost importance to continue investing money, time, and resources in our staff so we can continue to grow in both excellence and innovation."
Why We’re Honored by this Recognition
The firm was ranked 16th in the Small Employer category among this year's top financial advisory firms for financial advisors to work for across the U.S.
InvestmentNews partnered with Best Companies Group, an independent research firm specializing in identifying great places to work, to compile the survey and recognition program.
Being recognized as part of this elite group of great places to work for five years in a row indicates a unique and notable company culture that employees recognize and enjoy. It means the Willis Johnson & Associates team has a history of commitment to their employee's well-being and will use the knowledge gained through past efforts to continue growing into one of Houston's top wealth management firms.
“Ultimately, we’re trying to create a firm where people want to be and are proud to be,” said Johnson. “We create paths for growth and educational opportunities to get there, we offer flexibility and great benefits, and we create space to pause and connect as a team through social events and company retreats when we hit major milestones. We’re a people-first business and that starts with taking care of our team as the backbone of the firm.”
To learn more about the InvestmentNews 2024 Best Places to Work for Financial Advisers, please go to https://www.investmentnews.com/best-in-wealth/the-best-places-to-work-for-financial-advisors-in-the-usa.
The InvestmentNews Best Places to Work for Financial Advisers program is a project conducted with an employee survey firm, Best Companies Group. Winners are selected from data gathered using a two-part survey completed by both employers and employees where the employee survey results represent three-quarters of weighting in the final rankings. Employers report their organization's workplace policies, demographics, and internal practices whereas employees report their employee experience. Firms must have at least 15 employees and have been in business for one year to participate. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients and is not indicative of the practice’s future performance. Neither the RIA firms nor their employees pay a fee to InvestmentNews in exchange for inclusion in this ranking
