What it does: Financial services
Staff stats: 3,000
The good bits: Dynamic environment
The not so good bits: Long hours
What was then called Financial Index was launched by two brothers – Spiro and Terry Paule – in Melbourne in 1987. The Paules created their business with the dream of providing clients with “an index of financial services under one roof” that could help them reach their financial and lifestyle goals.
Despite launching in the year the stock market experienced its worst crash since 1929, the business grew strongly from the outset. By the turn of the Millennium it was beginning to snap up other financial advice and accountancy firms.
In 2008, Findex was seen to have truly arrived when Macquarie Bank took an equity stake in it. In 2014 it acquired wealth-management heavy hitter Centric Wealth. This resulted in Findex Group becoming Australia’s largest, privately owned financial services provider. The next year Findex acquired the Australian and New Zealand offices of Crowe Horwath, one of the world’s largest accounting networks.
At the time of writing, Findex has more than 250,000 clients, has in excess of $17 billion in funds under advice and has 110 offices across Australia and New Zealand. It offers its clients a holistic suite of financial services relevant to each stage of their journey through life. It operates through brands such as Crowe Horwath, Centric Wealth, Financial Index, Civic, MBP, Prescott Securities, SproutX, FoundX and Movo.
Findex provides the following business services:
Findex remains headquartered in Melbourne. In 2018 it had revenue of $364 million. Terry Paule is now Findex’s chairman. Spiro Paule is one its executive directors.
The culture
Findex doesn’t appear to have an official diversity and inclusion policy. All its board members and C-Suite executives are male. But it was started by two Greek-Australians and appears to be a meritocracy where staff are judged on their performance.
Social contribution
In 2018 Findex launched the Findex Community Fund (FCF). FCF partners with charities across Australia and New Zealand and focuses on programs revolving around health, education and entrepreneurship.
In Australia, FCF has partnered with Royal Far West, Yalari, Beacon, Ronald McDonald House Charities, the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal and the Country Education Foundation of Australia.
The recruitment process
Findex offers both a trainee and vacation program to university students. While not required, it’s helpful to do one or both of these while studying if you aspire to a grad role.
To be eligible to apply to the grad program you’ll need a degree in accounting, business administration, commerce, commerce-law, economics or finance. Aspiring financial planners need to be studying or have completed “an approved degree as per the FASEA Relevant Providers Degrees, Qualifications and Courses Guideline”.
Candidates are expected to be ambitious, passionate and keen to innovate “to solve the ever-changing business challenges of [Findex’s] clients”.
Findex offers grad roles in the following service lines:
To apply, you’ll need to go to the careers page of the Findex website, identify a relevant grad position then upload a cover letter, CV and academic transcript. If you make the cut, the following stages of the recruitment process involve completing a phone interview, attending an interview or networking evening and undertaking psychometric profiling. You may or may not be required to do a second- round interview. If you make it through all that and your references check out, you should receive an offer.
Findex provides a one-year grad program. Grads are “supported and given the tools to grow a successful career in [their] chosen business stream”. They are “provided with the necessary soft skills, technical knowledge and professional requirements to succeed”. Like all Findex staff, grads can access the Findex Academy. This is a specialised, multifaceted and innovative learning curriculum designed to help employees grow and achieve at every stage of their career.
Remuneration
Findex doesn’t disclose much remuneration information but it appears it pays staff around the industry average. Employee benefits include paid professional memberships and study support for those undertaking CA/CPA programs. There is also a ‘Findex Rewards’ scheme that provides cash-back discounts on a range of goods and services.
Career prospects
Findex has grown from a two-man operation to a finance-industry behemoth in the space of three decades, so there are plenty of opportunities for hard-working, entrepreneurial types to advance rapidly.
That noted, Findex recognises not everyone wants to make partner. It “offers career options and development opportunities that fit with your own personal goals, supporting you every step of the way… through a combination of innovative learning approaches, on-the-job coaching and offering experience that allow you to grow your skills and push your limits”.
The vibe of the place
Findex is still helmed by the two men who started it. They have been at pains to maintain a strong corporate culture even as Findex has swallowed many other firms. Findex’s culture remains based on the “key pillars” of communication, collaboration, consistency and innovation. To thrive at Findex, you’ll need to be a good listener and effective communicator, as well as a team player. You’ll also need to be a consistent performer who is willing to experiment with new approaches.
Why Findex?
"From the first day, you'll be involved in a variety of real client work and be provided the opportunities you need to become a well-rounded professional of the highest calibre. Our open-door policy also means you'll have direct access to ask questions and learn from your peers, Managers and Partners.
Professional fulfillment isn't just about working in the right role at the right company. Having a positive culture and work/life balance is just as important, and we encourage our team members to enjoy a friendly social atmosphere and build real relationships, all while achieving great outcomes for our clients.
We provide you with the tools to grow a successful career through structured career pathways and development programs, comprising of global secondment opportunities, financial study support, ongoing coaching and our comprehensive in-house learning and development program, the Findex Academy.
At Findex, we go beyond pure accountancy - Now, we're searching for a new generation of talent to help drive growth and innovation.
About Us
Findex and Crowe are one of Australasia’s leading providers of integrated financial advisory and accounting services, we have offices in every capital city of Australia and a network of more than 3,000 employees across Australia and New Zealand.
Findex is passionate about ensuring clients are provided access to the very best expertise and robust financial solutions that will ultimately see them through their entire business journey or reach their own personal goals.
Importantly, Findex also operates the Australasian arm of Crowe Global, ranked eighth largest accounting network in the world. It is through this global affiliation that our audit and international tax teams deliver solutions under the Crowe brand - opening the door to a world of career opportunities.
Our Programs
Graduate Program
Embark on a career journey that transforms and grows as your ambitions do with a graduate position at Findex and Crowe. The possibilities are endless as you gain the technical skills and experience to carve your own career path - no matter where that may take you.
We're passionate about ensuring clients are provided access to the very best expertise and robust financial solutions that will ultimately see them through their entire business journey and help them reach their own personal goals. Now, we're searching for a new generation of talent to help drive growth and achieve great things for our clients.
To apply, you must be in the final year of your Commerce & Business (with Accounting) or Commerce & Law (with Accounting) degree at a recognised Australian institution.
Applications open 22 February 2020 and close 29 March 2020. Apply online or email careers@findex.com.au for further details.
Vacation Program
A 4-week program, where you’ll be exposed to the work of our first-year Graduates, supporting you making an informed career decision prior to graduation.
We offer Vacation placements in our Business Advisory, Tax Advisory and Audit & Assurance service lines. Keep an eye out when applications open as there may be opportunities in other service lines, depending on the year.
To apply, you must be in the penultimate year of your Commerce & Business (with Accounting) or Commerce & Law (with Accounting) degree at a recognised Australian institution.
Applications open in July/August 2020. Apply online or email careers@findex.com.au for further details.
Trainee Program
Our Trainee Program is a great way to kick-start your career before graduating and get paid for doing so. As part of our Trainee Program you will be offered part-time work around your university timetable, giving you the opportunity to gain experience to the world of Accounting. Trainee opportunities are offered to first, second or third year of University students, our aim, where possible is to transition Trainee’s into full-time Graduates upon the completion of their degrees.
To be eligible, you must be enrolled or planning to enrol in a Commerce & Business (with Accounting) or Commerce & Law (with Accounting) degree at a recognised Australian institution.
Opportunities are advertised all year round on our careers website, peak intake periods are between July – November. Apply online or email careers@findex.com.au for further details.
Career Opportunities
We offer graduate positions across a number of professional disciplines. While we can’t decide what is best for you, we recommend you consider what you enjoyed most during your studies, your interests and strengths. More information on the different business streams can be found below.
Business Advisory
Working in Business Advisory provides you with the opportunity to build strong relationships and interact with people across the business. If you have an analytical and thorough mind and enjoy helping people achieve their goals, then Business Advisory is a good fit for you.
As a Graduate in our Business Advisory service line, you will join a team responsible for providing strategic advice to organisations at any stage of their financial life cycle. Our Business Advisory team have expertise in areas such as compliance, budgeting, cash flow, payroll services, business growth and recovery.
In Business Advisory, you will interact with our individual and SME clients to help closely support and manage their financial matters. As a graduate, you will gain experience in day to day accounting requirements, tax compliance, preparation of financial statements and gain exposure to growth strategies, tax planning and asset protection.
Audit and Assurance
If the idea of being in an office all day doesn't quite excite you then you will love working as an auditor. Our auditors enjoy face-to-face client interaction and the opportunity to travel to new and exciting places on a daily basis.
Our Audit and Assurance division provides strategic advice to a diverse range of organisations on how they can improve their business processes and financial reporting. With expertise in everything from financial statement auditing to risk consulting, our Audit and Assurance team offers a range of solutions to help clients manage their risk and exposure.
As an Audit and Assurance graduate, you will develop an ability to provide real industry advice, whilst learning the ‘ins and outs’ of all business types; gaining strong technical skills and varied experience in a role where no two days are the same. To excel in Audit, you'll have strong critical thinking skills, attention to detail and enjoy meeting new people.
Tax Advisory
If you are someone who has an inquisitive mind and enjoys investigating and identifying principles, then Tax Advisory is for you! As a Tax Advisory graduate, you will be part of a team providing strategic advice to organisations on how to manage their tax positions and increase their bottom line.
Working in the Tax Advisory division, you will consult daily with our Business Advisory team, and work with a range of clients, from medium-sized private groups to large listed and international corporations.
You’ll be exposed to a variety of tax issues including legislative changes, cash flow impacts of tax payments and employee tax, and will assist clients with navigating an increasingly complex Australian tax landscape by providing research and preparing structured advice.
Our Tax Advisory team brings expertise in GST, Customs and Excise, Resources Taxes and Research & Development, offering our clients a range of services to manage their risk and exposure.
SMSF
If you are interested in being part of an evolving industry and working with a market leader, then our Superannuation service line could be a great place to build a career.
Findex is one of the largest self-managed super fund (SMSF) providers in Australia. We help our clients by providing personalised SMSF services and advice to help them navigate complex superannuation and tax laws.
As a graduate in our Superannuation team, you will be challenged and have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and interact with a diverse range of clients.
You will gain experience in a firm that is embracing automation and the use of cloud technology to improve service delivery.
What do we look for?
How do I know if I have what it takes to be a Graduate at Findex? The answer is simple - your core values align with those of our team. Upholding agreed behaviours play an important role in inspiring us every day, and these are the qualities that we look for in our team members.
Communication:
Consistency:
Collaboration:
Innovation:
Our benefits
Findex Academy
Our focus on development opportunities and career progression is embodied by a number of programs and conferences, which go above and beyond technical training.
Access to expertise
In addition to structured learning and development, you will have access to on the job training, by working closely with senior team members and partners to build your own specialised skill set.
Post Graduate Study Support
We are committed to helping you expand your knowledge by offering financial study support when undertaking post-graduate programs, including the CA program.
Paid Professional Memberships
We want you to be at the forefront of the industry. That's why we help you with a paid professional membership of your choice.
Awards and Recognition
Our monthly Key Behaviour Awards and service milestone awards recognise exemplary contributions.
Dress For Your Day
Feel empowered to dress for your day, whatever that may look like... office attire or casual, you decide.
Social Events
With social events throughout the year, you will have plenty of opportunities to relax and get to know your colleagues.
Findex Community Fund
Support local causes you care about through the Findex Community Fund, enabled by charity nominations and dollar matched contributions.
Findex Rewards
Our Findex Rewards scheme provides cashback discounts to staff on a constantly changing array of useful products and services."