What it does: Provides advisory services
Staff stats: 700
The good bits: Young, buzzy culture
The not-so-good bits: Big workloads
Hiring grads with degrees in: Finance, Accounting, Economics, Actuarial, Business, Engineering, IT and Computer Sciences
Evans Dixon is "a leader in wealth management, investment solutions and capital market advisory services". The company came into being in early 2017 when David Evans and Alan Dixon merged their established businesses – equity investment firm Evans and Partners (founded by David Evans in 2007) and wealth management firm Dixon Advisory (founded by Daryl and Kate Dixon in 1986) – along with global funds management company Walsh & Company (founded by Max Walsh in 2007). Combined, the group has "the resources, systems and capabilities to assist clients with a broad suite of holistic wealth management services across superannuation, estate planning, investment solutions, capital market advisory and more".
With more than $20 billion in funds under advice, execution and administration, Evans Dixon's clients include private individuals, institutions, corporations and self managed super funds (SMSFs) based both in Australia and overseas. It has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide and New York.
Neither Evans Dixon nor any of its constituent businesses appear to have an official diversity and inclusion policy. Nonetheless, it's reasonable to assume that it recruits and promotes staff who deliver results – regardless of their age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or religion.
In 2018, Evans Dixon was ranked No. 1 in the Top Graduate Employers 2018 list by the Australian Association of Graduate Employers, ahead of 75 other organisations. The company achieved the ranking based on survey feedback from graduates who rated the overall workplace culture as positive. The company promises employees a "supportive, dynamic workplace and vibrant culture" and offers a range of staff workplace benefits and on-the-job training.
The three businesses making up the group seem to do their own thing. Dixon Advisory donates "time or financial support to a number of not-for-profit organisations across the arts, education and sport sectors" and works particularly closely with Musica Viva.
Evans and Partners has a corporate matching gift program that supports employees with their philanthropy. It also supports Scope (a not-for-profit that assists the disabled) and Sharegift (a not-for-profit that allows people to sell shares and donate the proceeds to charity without paying brokerage fees).
If Walsh & Company makes any community or charitable contributions through its suite of funds, it doesn't advertise them.
Evans Dixon seeks to recruit passionate self-starters with a desire to succeed. Applicants are expected to be excellent communicators, possess impressive presentation and people skills, and be passionate about delivering excellent service. While academic results are taken into consideration, the "ability to manage multiple priorities and work well within a team" is equally important.
The group is currently recruiting grads and interns to work in the following departments: Wealth Management, Accounting and Software Development. To be eligible to apply, you'll need an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in "commerce, business, economics, finance, actuarial studies or related courses".
The recruitment process begins with an online application. This is no mere formality – you'll be expected to sell yourself and your "knowledge, skills and initiative" will be judged on how much and what type of information you provide.
If you make the shortlist, you'll then be invited to complete online psychometric testing. The final stage involves interviews with senior members of the team you've applied to work on. At these interviews, you can expect behavioural-based and industry-related questions. You should also be ready to discuss your interests and career aspirations.
Those who are offered a grad role can look forward to the following: mentoring by senior advisers, on-the-job training, practical and relevant experience from week one, a career development plan, as well as financial support and study leave to obtain relevant qualifications such as a CA, CPA or CFP.
On top of providing "above industry-standard" salaries, Evans Dixon also has a "performance appraisal system that further rewards high-achieving graduates". Perks include free breakfasts and rebates on fitness-related costs. There are plenty of complimentary social events that reward staff throughout the year. Staff also receive discounts on financial services.
Somewhat unusually, Evans Dixon doesn't provide grads with the opportunity to rotate through different departments. Rather, it seeks to ensure grads "are placed in the right team from day one". That noted, you will have some autonomy in designing your career path, in consultation with your manager and contingent upon developing the necessary skills.
Most Evans Dixon staff work in client-facing roles but there are positions that are research-based. The company aims to promote from within, so as long as you perform well, you can expect regular promotions and pay rises.
Evans Dixon has a work hard, play hard corporate culture. Or, as the firm puts it, "We work hard to keep on top of the ever-changing world of financial services. But when the work is done, we enjoy each other's company". Directors and more junior staff alike are expected to have a laser focus on "being the best" at what they do, but there is a "social, fun and inclusive" culture. Evans Dixon appears to be doing something right when it comes to creating a "professional and social" culture.
"Evans Dixon was established in 2017 from the merger of two leading wealth management firms, Evans and Partners and Dixon Advisory, along with global asset manager Walsh & Company, to provide innovative, client-focused advisory services that drive exceptional outcomes in a cost and tax-effective way.
Combined, the group has more than 700 employees in offices across Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide and New York. This offers a global network of resources, systems and capabilities to assist private, institutional and corporate investors with a broad suite of holistic wealth management services across superannuation, estate planning, investment solutions and capital market advisory.
For graduates and interns, this means having access to a broader range of opportunities to gain experience working in diverse areas such as holistic wealth management, stockbroking, investment banking services, or self-managed super fund accounting.
We take pride in providing employees with an outstanding environment to gain valuable experience by working directly with clients, developing expertise and being rewarded for success.
We have a number of rewarding and challenging graduate and intern opportunities across a broad spectrum of financial services, including: