What it does: McGrathNicol is a specialist Advisory & Restructuring firm that has built a reputation for managing complexity and consistently delivering the results our clients need. Our team of independent experts work across all industry sectors and business sizes delivering valuable advice and high-quality outcomes. Our clients trust us with the most important aspects of their business.
Staff stats: 280+
The good bits: Autonomy, travel opportunities, excellent training and career development opportunities, competitive remuneration
The not so good bits: Workload can be demanding
Hiring grads with degrees in: Finance, Accounting, Economic, STEM
McGrathNicol’s origins started in Restructuring and Insolvency solutions. The company has since expanded its offering and now also provides Advisory services, including Forensic, Governance, Risk & Compliance, Strategy & Business Improvement, Transactions and Technology. The firm has clients in fields such as financial services, government, community and infrastructure and helps many of Australia’s leading organisations perform better.
McGrathNicol currently has over 35 partners operating in offices throughout Australia and New Zealand. Through its association with global professional services organisation Alvarez and Marsal (A&M), it also has an international reach.
McGrathNicol is not a listed company and its financial situation is not a matter of public record. However, it has won an AFR Client Choice Award for Best Accounting Firm (revenue $50-$500 million) in 2017.
McGrathNicol has a social and inclusive team environment where all opinions and contributions are valued and successes are celebrated.
McGrathNicol is a member of the Diversity Council of Australia and Parents@Work (“an all-inclusive parenting program for corporate Australia”). It is also a proud supporter of UTS Women in Business and Women on Boards. While the company doesn’t trumpet it publicly, staff report being part of a diverse workforce flexibility for those looking to balance their personal and professional lives.
McGrathNicol supports a range of charities and community initiatives. The firm participates nationally in the CareerTrackers Indigenous Internship Program. It also partners with Red Dust, where employees are provided with secondment opportunities to Indigenous communities.
Additionally, the firm provides financial and participation contributions to Foodbank, Australian Red Cross Blood Service and Special Olympics Australia. It also supports its employees’ participation in fundraising events. Ones such as Movember, R U OK? Day, Oxfam Trailwalker, Cancer Council’s Relay for Life and Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.
To apply for McGrathNicol’s Graduate Program, you’ll need to be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident to apply. You’ll also need to be in the final year of your degree or have graduated within the last 18 months.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate they’re motivated, rounded and interested in the work the firm does. Candidates are also required to possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, as these are crucial to interacting productively with clients. There’s a strong team culture at McGrathNicol, so candidates who can demonstrate they are team-players have an edge. The company recruits many (though not all) of its grads through its Summer Vacation Program. This runs for four weeks over the Christmas break.
The recruitment process commences with an online application. This involves completing a short form and uploading a cover letter, CV and academic transcript. The next stages are an online cognitive ability assessment and a recorded video interview. If you make the shortlist, you’ll be invited to attend a group information and interview session. This will allow you get to know the company and its people better. The final stage is face-to-face behavioural interviews with senior staff.
If you secure a spot in McGrathNicol’s grad program, you’ll acquire broad commercial skills while working in all areas of the business. You’ll be involved in major projects and be given significant autonomy and responsibility. You’ll complete a four-day Graduate Development Workshop and numerous technical and soft-skills training programs. You’ll be given plentiful opportunities to hone your business writing, time management, communication and presentation skills. You’ll have both national and international secondment opportunities. Plus, you’ll be supported while undertaking the Chartered Accountants Program or further industry related study.
McGrathNicol offers staff a competitive remuneration package and a generous bonus scheme. It fully funds its graduates to complete its Chartered Accountants Program. It also provides financial assistance and study leave for postgraduate courses. The firm offers attractive paid parental leave benefits, career breaks for study, travel or other personal goals and access to a health and wellbeing program. Flexible work arrangements are available and extra annual leave can also be bought.
McGrathNicol is transparent about the skills and competencies it’s staff need to progress to the next level. Staff take part in regular performance and development discussions. They also receive personalised mentoring and coaching programs. The firm is a meritocracy where “promotions are based on ability”.
Staff are supported if they decide to pursue further qualifications. McGrathNicol’s employees have completed Australian Restructuring, Insolvency & Turnaround Association Advanced Certification, the Chartered Financial Analyst Program and the Masters of Business Administration.
McGrathNicol’s Sydney headquarters have impressive views of Martin Place and a cutting-edge design that promotes staff interaction and collaboration. You’ll be expected to dress and act professionally in the office, particularly around clients, but you’ll have plenty of opportunities to let your hair down out of hours. The firm puts on regular social functions and encourages staff participation in “team sports, corporate games and sporting events”. McGrathNicol prides itself on its no-nonsense ‘tell it like it is and deliver what you promise’ philosophy. This is reflected in its dynamic, unpretentious workplace culture.
"McGrathNicol is a specialist Advisory and Restructuring firm. Our experts work with corporates, banks, law firms, private companies and government across all industry sectors and business sizes to deliver valuable advice and high-quality outcomes. Our clients trust us with the most important aspects of their business.
Our Restructuring projects vary in nature and involve dealing with businesses in financial distress. We help restore stability and deliver value. Our Advisory team focus on helping non-distressed organisations improve performance by mitigating risk, managing change and achieving growth.
Graduates and Summer Vacationers at McGrathNicol have the opportunity to gain exposure to the variety of challenges faced by Boards, CEOs and senior management.
Our people are passionate, driven, inclusive and collaborative. Continuous development is engrained in our culture and we have robust development and reward frameworks in place to support progression and generously compensate our employees.
As a Vacationer or Graduate you will receive formal technical and soft skills training, as well as mentoring on the job. We offer a unique opportunity to work closely with senior staff and Partners, learning from some of the best in the industry. Our Graduates also receive full support to complete further industry related study, or post-graduate qualifications such as the Chartered Accountants Program.
At McGrathNicol your success is ours, and ours yours.
Our Summer Vacation Program is open to students in their penultimate year of study. Running for four weeks and commencing in either November or January, the program will provide you with real commercial experience across a variety of different projects and industries. During your time with us, we aim to give you as much exposure as possible to our service offerings.
You will be assigned a Buddy, Time Manager and Counselling Manager during your placement, responsible for providing you with a variety of interesting work, as well as general support and guidance. We have a unique offering in that you will also have the opportunity to shadow Partners, participate in networking events with clients and attend social functions.
High performing Vacationers may be offered a full-time Graduate role.
Applications to our Graduate Program are open to students in their final year, or those who have graduated within 18 months of the program start date. Working alongside some of the industry’s most respected leaders, you will gain real world commercial experience and be challenged to think laterally to implement pragmatic solutions on high profile engagements.
Our Graduate Development Program is expertly designed to provide you with the technical knowledge required, as well as improving essential soft skills such as personal productivity and professional interactions.
Graduates generally commence in February of each year, however midyear commencement dates and/or casual employment may also be available throughout your university semester.
Applications to our Summer Vacation and Graduate Programs open on Monday 17 February 2020. Please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn for more information on our Programs and future vacancies."
Senior Accountant at McGrathNicol at McGrathNicol
Bachelor of Finance at University of Adelaide