William Gardner: Why Did Edward Jones Fire Arkos Advisor?

Milton, Georgia financial advisor William Gardner (CRD# 7163062) was recently terminated from his position as a broker with Edward Jones in connection with alleged rule violations. Records provided by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the Securities and Exchange Commission indicate that he is currently registered as an investment advisor with Arkos Global Advisors.

Mr. Gardner’s BrokerCheck report contains a disclosure describing his departure from Edward Jones. According to the disclosure, he was fired in February 2023 in connection with allegations he “violated the Firm’s selling away policy.” The disclosure provides no additional context regarding his termination.

Investors should be aware that FINRA Rule 3280 prohibits FINRA registered representatives from engaging in private securities transactions except under certain conditions. The rule defines such transactions as “any securities transaction outside the regular course or scope of an associated person’s employment with a member.” Also known as selling away, a broker’s participation in private securities transactions is permissible in some cases, such as transactions with immediate family members for which no FINRA associated person receives selling compensation, provided the representative provides written notice to their member firm. Private securities transactions are generally also subject to an individual firm’s policies and procedures. Representatives who improperly engage in private securities transactions may subject to disciplinary actions by their member firms and/or securities regulators like FINRA.

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the Securities and Exchange Commission, William Gardner holds three years of securities industry experience. Currently based in Milton, Georgia, he has been registered as an investment advisor with Arkos Global Advisors since February 2023. He was previously registered as a broker with Edward Jones in Douglasville, Georgia from 2019 until 2023. His credentials include the passage of three securities industry qualifying exams: the Securities Industry Essentials Examination, or SIE; the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7TO; and the Uniform Combined State Law Examination, or Series 66. He is currently licensed in Georgia. (Information current as of February 26, 2023.)

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