What it does: Provides advisory services
Staff stats: 600
The good bits: Young, buzzy culture
The not so good bits: Big workloads
Hiring grads with degrees in: Finance, Accounting, Economics & Business Administration; Engineering, Maths, IT & Computer Sciences
The Evans Dixon story
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 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) – 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 and New York.
The culture
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.
Social contribution
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, it doesn’t advertise them.
The recruitment process
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; Funds Management and Corporate Finance; 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 advisors; on-the-job training; practical and relevant experience from week one; a career development plan; financial support and study leave to obtain relevant qualifications such as a CA, CPA or CFP.
Remuneration
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 free social events, including monthly drinks. Staff also receive discounts on financial services.
Career prospects
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.
The vibe of the place
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”. Both directors and more junior staff 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.
"Dixon Advisory is a holistic family wealth management firm supporting over 8,000 Australian members to optimise their wealth for retirement through self managed super funds (SMSFs).
In 2017, Dixon Advisory joined forces with Evans & Partners to become part of the Evans Dixon Group. The firm has grown from a local pioneer to a global company with more than 600 employees in offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and New York. Combined, Evans Dixon has the additional scope and resources to provide more investment solutions to more people, including private, institutional and corporate investors.
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, global fund and asset management, stockbroking, investment banking services, orself managed super fund accounting. We take pride in providing employees with the best environment to gain valuable experience working directly with clients, develop expertise and be rewarded for success.
We have a number of rewarding and challenging graduate and intern opportunities across a broad spectrum of financial services including:
Internships
Working full time for seven weeks over your summer break is the best way to gain insight into your future career. Join our Intern Program and take advantage of the exciting, challenging and career-starting opportunities on offer.
You’ll join a professional team-orientated environment and receive intensive on-the-job training, development and mentoring. You’ll work closely with senior team members and have the opportunity to make a valuable contribution to our close-knit and highly experienced team.
You’ll be given every opportunity to put your university and work experience into practice and contribute to the high-quality client advice that characterises the firm.
At the conclusion of the program, if you feel the career path is right for you, you may be offered the opportunity to secure casual work while you complete your final year of study and a full-time graduate position upon completion of your degree.
Summer internship positions are available in a diverse range of roles within the Evans Dixon Group including:
Give your career the best start and apply for our Internship Program"