Top 12 best graduate jobs for finance students
Mary Cameron
Want the nuts and bolts behind our methodology? Here you go.
Ok, to trust us? Read on.
The givens.
- No matter where you launch your banking and finance career, you’ll be:
- Spoilt for choice in terms of roles and sectors to star in
- Handed plenty of early career autonomy and responsibility and a fair amount of satisfying end-to-end project involvement
- Either wrangling with the odd outdated system or process in some of the banking behemoths OR sitting on the sharpest of cutting edges in the tech-driven quantitative trading firms
- Benefiting from spacious, sensationally equipped, centrally located offices
The good news
If you’re keen to:
- Work from home without feeling like your managers might prefer you to do all your hours ‘in-house’; most of these firms have embraced flexible and remote working
- Get optimal, informal on-the-job training (the big banks) or do loads of game-based learning (the quantitative traders); you’ll find both in spades here.
Note the numbers. Trust your gut
Numbers-wise not much separates the top firms. The ratings range from 7.0 – to 9.3 /10. But who doesn't love a percentage point?
But while you’re pondering the space between two percentage points, your gut is scanning reviews and sneak peeks. On balance, it’s probably good to go with your gut.
12. Perpetual / Fordham
Perpetual is an ASX-listed wealth creation firm with four business divisions Perpetual Asset Management Australia, Perpetual Asset Management International, Perpetual Private and Perpetual Corporate Trust.
Fordham is a chartered accounting firm and a division of Perpetual Private, focusing on private businesses, NFPs and large corporate trusts.
Perpetual/ Fordham, a small to medium-sized firm, sees itself as 'big enough, small enough' and aims to punch above its weight. The company’s compact size keeps senior staff close to grads. Their growing global presence keeps attractive career options open.
Read Perpetual/Fordham’s Employer Profile
Top 100 ranking
Perpetual/Fordham ranks 65th in our list of top 100 employers for 2022.
Reviews - overall score 4.1/5
Several 8s/10, 9/10 for ‘Diversity’ based on gender equity, 8.8/10 for Management being communicative, open and down to earth
Top 3 upsides
- Positive work/life balance and flexible working hours
- Solid record on gender equality
- Supportive, accessible managers
The downside
Some outdated systems and processes
Grad stories
‘Skills like multi-tasking are more important than a particular degree qualification as there are often many different projects happening at any one time!
Olivia Italiano, Perpetual Private Community & Social Investments Graduate
‘As the nature of the work is very dynamic, it is important to re-assess the priorities each week and delegate work according to these key priorities…… ‘
A day in the life of Ina Su, Graduate at Perpetual Corporate Trust in the Sales & Product team
Roles
Perpetual/ Fordham offers a range of Graduate and Vacationer programs and Internships across all their divisions.
11. AMP
AMP Limited is a retail wealth management and banking business employing around 4000 staff supporting 1.5 million customers across Australia and New Zealand.
AMP recruits graduates into three streams Accounting & Finance, Financial Services and Technology. Grads complete a two-year rotational program within their chosen sector.
Despite broader reputational damage arising from investigations by the 2018 Banking Royal Commission, AMP’s reputation as a solid source of quality graduate training and career opportunity remains intact.
Top 100 ranking
AMP ranks 54th in our list of top 100 employers for 2022.
Reviews - overall score 4.2/5
Mainly low to middling 8s/10. 9.2s/10 for ‘Working hours’, which favour extensive working from home, and ‘Management, which credits direct managers with being supportive and focused on their grads’ development.
Top 3 upsides
- Flexible hours and a focus on personal and professional wellbeing
- Large, diverse company with lots of teams and roles to aim for
- Tightknit, supportive culture at ‘team level’
The downside
Churn and change generated by AMP's 2018 brush with ASIC still impacts the organisation
Grad stories
‘There are endless opportunities for non-technical people like me to step outside of their comfort zone to try a technical role or vice-versa. You can take that step knowing you have the full support of the team.’
Connor Hurley, Business Analyst - Advice Technology
‘…most of what I know now and the work I do has been learned on the job, so I think the most important thing is just to be open to trying new things and also to be open to learning from others because there will definitely be a lot of that!’
Roles
Applications for AMP’s Grad Programs for 2023 are closed.
10. Akuna Capital
Akuna Capital is a trading firm and a developer of low latency technologies, trading strategies and mathematical models.
They currently trade in Hong Kong, Korea, cryptocurrencies, and US night markets and are poised to expand into all major Asian exchanges. Akuna has offices in Sydney, Chicago, Boston, and Shanghai.
Despite its rapid growth, Akuna retains a start-up feel, and this is reflected in its culture and recruiting practices. They're looking for fresh thinkers and fearless climbers of steep learning curves.
Read Akuna Capital’s Employer Profile
Top 100 ranking
Akuna ranks 51st in our list of top 100 employers for 2022.
Reviews - overall score 4.4/5
A handful of high 8s/10. 9.4/10 for ‘Culture’ – ‘welcoming, chilled, and fun.’ 9.2/10 for ‘Office environment’ – spectacular Sydney views, super equipped for work and play, casual dress code.
Top 3 upsides
- Flat structure and a meritocracy
- Freedom to work on projects of choice
- Decent work/life balance]
The downside
Career path can be tough to discern and navigate
Grad stories
‘I felt apprehensive as I did not know a single thing about finance. However, you need to show you are smart and think quickly with solid mental maths, programming, and problem-solving skills.’
Jodie Lee, Trading Intern, on being interviewed. Jodie is returning to Akuna as a Graduate Trader.
‘Don’t be scared of rejection – I applied for the graduate developer role at Akuna, expecting not to have a chance as an electrical engineer. But here I am….’
Roles
Akuna regularly recruits Graduate Quantitative Developers, Researchers and Traders.
Akuna virtual reality experience
9. Goldman Sachs
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a global investment banking, securities, and investment management firm headquartered in New York and with offices in Sydney and Melbourne.
Their clients include corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals.
Goldman Sachs recruits grads from diverse disciplines who can demonstrate academic excellence, well-rounded life experience and a deep curiosity about financial markets.
Their eleven-week Summer Analyst Program offers internships with the possibility to progress to full-time roles in the New Analyst program.
Read Goldman Sachs’ Employer Profile
Top 100 ranking
Goldman Sachs ranks 52nd in our list of top 100 employers for 2022.
Reviews
Grad Australia has no reviews for Goldman Sachs.
The company scores:
- 3.9/5 based on 493 reviews at Ambition Box - 3.8 for ‘salary and benefits’. 3.8 for ‘skill development’ and 3.2 for ‘work/life balance’
- 4/5 based on around 400 reviews at Indeed, where percentage ratings average in the low 60s for ‘satisfaction’ and ‘compensation’. Learning rates best at 71%, and ‘stress-free is lowest at 49%.
NOTE: These reviews don’t include Australian data
View grad programs at Goldman Sachs
8. Macquarie Group
Macquarie Group is a global provider of asset financing and management, wealth management, retail and business banking, commodity trading, renewables development, capital raising and principal investment.
Macquarie’s worldwide reach means you can pursue your career in over thirty locations and a vast array of sectors and services. They recruit grads across eight diverse divisions, including Commodities and Global Markets, Corporate Operations, Asset Management and Technology. They also provide opportunities to make an impact on environmental and social justice issues.
Read Macquarie’s Employer Profile
Top 100 ranking
Macquarie ranks 37th in our list of top 100 employers for 2022.
Reviews
Grad Australia has no reviews for Macquarie.
The company scores:
- 4/5 based on 219 reviews at Indeed – 3.7 for ‘compensation and benefits’, and 3.6 for ‘work-life balance’ and ‘culture’
- 3.9/5 based on 180 reviews at Ambition Box - 4.0 for ‘culture’, 3.8 for ‘salary and benefits’ and ‘job security’ and 3.5 for work-life balance
Seek currently has 51 reviews.
Positive comments are highest for ‘team culture’, ‘career and personal growth’ and ‘management.’
Negative comments were highest for ‘work-life balance’, ‘workload and stress’ and ‘management.’
Grad stories
‘The work was real, hands-on and came with responsibility, accountability and ownership right from the start.’
Pei Guo, Manager - Agricultural Commodities Trading
‘Macquarie doesn’t put you into a box, so you don’t need to put yourself into one either. It’s possible to go wherever you want to, so long as you put the work in.’
Roles
Applications for Macquarie’s Grad Programs for 2023 close on 28 September 2022.
7. IMC Trading
IMC Trading is a technology-driven trading firm with offices in Sydney, Amsterdam, and Chicago. They conduct high volumes of trades in over 100 markets and design trading technologies and strategies renowned for cutting transaction costs and promoting transparency and fairness.
IMC Trading’s low hierarchy, high autonomy culture is typical of trading companies with strong tech pedigrees.
They invest heavily in formal training, much of it driven by individual interests. If you want to learn something, they’ll make it happen. Formal training is paired with absorbing on-the-job learning and mentoring.
IMC offers graduate and Internship programs for traders and software and hardware engineers.
Read IMC Trading’s Employer Profile
Top 100 ranking
IMC Trading ranks 26th in our list of top 100 employers for 2022.
Reviews - overall score 4.6/5
A handful of high 8s/10. 9.4/10 for ‘Culture’ – ‘welcoming, chilled, and fun.’ 9.2/10 for ‘Office environment’ – spectacular Sydney views, super equipped for work and play, casual dress code.
Top 3 upsides
- Collaborative, ‘best idea wins’ way of working
- Pacey, interesting projects that keep you on your toes
- ‘Work hard/play hard ethos but in a good way
The downside
The learning curve can be very steep
Grad stories
‘Every day there's potential to add a lot of value with a new insight or new approach to trading, and I always have the freedom to chase ideas that I believe in.’
‘There’s a quick feedback loop, as we don’t have any external customers. Traders start using new features very quickly. This way, I immediately know that my work is having an impact.’
Roles
IMC hires grads with solid results in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Finance, Economics, Physics or Actuarial studies for various roles in software engineering, strategy development and trading
6. Susquehanna International Group (SIG)
SIG is a quantitative trading firm employing ‘traders, quants, research analysts, and technologists’ to trade high volumes of financial products on global markets.
SIG has around 150 Sydney-based staff and an international team of about 2,300.
SIG’s trading ethos and culture are rooted in its founders' shared love for game theory, statistics and probabilities, and card games. Land a role at SIG and expect to hone your skills in making rational decisions, calculating probability, and hedging risk via simulated trading and playing Poker.
Top 100 ranking
SIG ranks 26th in our list of top 100 employers for 2022.
Reviews - overall score 4.6/5
Mainly low 8s/10. Two 9.3s/10 for ‘Culture’ – flat structure and perk-rich and ‘Office environment’ – centrally located, relaxed dress code, great catering and gym
Top 3 upsides
- Flat structure, managers are also traders, ‘no useless meetings’
- Dynamic game-based training, including mock trades and poker
- Opportunity to collaborate on ‘from scratch’ development of trading technologies and strategies
The downside
All the pace and pressure you’d expect in a global quantitative trading company Limited ‘lateral’ career prospects given SIG's trade-based operations.
Grad stories
‘The opportunities I’ve had to learn and grow are limitless. Prior to joining SIG, I didn’t even know this type of job existed …… every day is a genuinely new and interesting challenge, much more so than I’d ever anticipated.’
Charles Sutherland, Quantitative Trader
‘I’m the eyes and ears for what’s happening in the world. I feed what I learn to the traders, and they pair this information with what they are seeing in the marketplace as we work together to identify and act on potential trading opportunities.
A day in the life of Hugh Tobin, Research Analyst
Roles
SIG recently advertised PhD qualified roles in Machine Learning and Quantitative Research
5. Commonwealth Bank
Commonwealth Bank is the largest of Australia’s ‘big 4’ banks.
Currently, it has more than 800,000 shareholders and a staff of over 52,000.
Commonwealth Bank’s Employer Profile highlights their Grad and Summer Intern Programs and spells out eligibility criteria, including a 65% grade point average.
The bank recruits grads and diverse degrees. 2022’s cohort of 241 had 60 majors from 22 programs in 35 universities in 17 locations.
Read Commonwealth Bank’s Employer Profile
Top 100 ranking
Commonwealth Bank ranks 20th in our list of top 100 employers for 2022.
Reviews - overall score 4.2/5
Middling 7s to 8s/10. Top scores 9.1 /10 for ‘Work Hours’ – flexible start and finish times offered without question and remote working available, 8.6/10 for ‘Diversity’ based on numerous programs and events that promote the bank’s ethos and foster inclusion
Top 3 upsides
- A flexible, friendly, supportive culture
- Opportunities to explore multiple areas through secondments
- Well-equipped, well-located offices
The downside
The rotation system can be circumscribed and a bit limiting. Legacy systems and outmoded technology can slow workflow.
Grad stories
'The best part about working with CommBank is the huge number of opportunities. There is potential to move laterally, upwards or diagonally into new areas.’
Mitchell Heritage, Acquisitions Manager
‘Our team receives an invitation from a client to pitch for an asset-backed security deal. We’re working to a deadline. I help put together the pitch deck with information about the deal strategy, the team’s credentials and recent public deals our team has done…’
A day in the life of Caitlin Manzo, Associate for Debt Markets Securitisation
Roles
Commonwealth Bank recently called for applications for their 2023 Grad and Summer Intern Programs. Program areas include Data Science and Analytics, Product and Strategy, Corporate Services, Finance and Accounting.
What to expect from a career at the CommBank
4. ANZ
ANZ is the ‘big 4’ bank with the longest global reach and New Zealand’s largest bank. Joining its team of over 50,000 gives you the chance to work in 33 international locations.
ANZ’s Employer Profile highlights the bank's efforts over the last four years to simplify and streamline business operations and strengthen its culture.
During this period, ANZ has been recognised as an employer of choice for LGBTIQ+ people and for its efforts to advance workplace equality.
Top 100 ranking
ANZ ranks 10th in our list of top 100 employers for 2022.
Reviews - overall score 4.4/5
Mostly middling 8s /10. Top scores 9/10 for ‘Management’ where (team differences aside) ANZ’s managers are generally described as ‘great mentors’, 8.9/10 for ‘Recruitment,’ described as being both ‘appropriately challenging and difficult and ‘fun and engaging.’
Top 3 upsides
- Solid record on diversity and inclusion
- Supportive, collegiate culture
- Clear promotional pathways across most business areas
The downside
If resourcing is tight, you may get stuck with a boring rotation; some systems can be clunky and outmoded
Grad stories
‘I did not have the traditional background for going into the tech program! I would say if you love to learn new things and tend towards a curious mindset, you would be the perfect fit for this program.’
Samara MacLean, Graduate Product Manager
‘It’s Monday morning, and you cruise into work at 8 AM in comfy jeans and new sneakers and give your co-worker’s dog a pat on the way to your desk…..’
A day in the life of Jack Zheng, Technology Graduate
Roles
Applications for ANZ’s 2023 Grad programs are open until 5 September 2022. Program areas include Technology, Risk, Data, Agribusiness and more
3. Optiver Asia Pacific
Optiver is a self-described ‘tech-driven trading firm and leading global market maker.’ Their 1400-strong team exists to improve global markets by trading options and ‘other financial instruments’ in over 70 exchanges.
Optiver’s high ranking reflects a culture built on quiet achieving, creative problem solving and genuine attention to offsetting intense pressure by taking care of their team's wellbeing.
They principally recruit grads in science, engineering, math, software development, actuarial studies, finance, and machine learning.
Read Optiver’s Employer Profile
Top 100 ranking
Optiver ranks 6th in our list of top 100 employers for 2022.
Reviews - overall score 4.5/5
Middling 8s /10. Top scores 9/10 for ‘Recruitment’ focused on self-reflection and culminating in prospective recruits being flown to Sydney for an all-day session, and 8.9/10 for ‘Work environment’, described as convivial, accessible, and super equipped.
Top 3 upsides
- Flat structure
- A genuine focus on putting well-being front and centre
- Challenging, collegiate, cross-disciplinary environment
The downside
The pressure you’d expect to feel in a tech-driven ‘market maker’ dedicated to driving high performance.
Grad stories
‘I love that I have the autonomy to focus on problems that I will have the most impact on.’
Robert Newey, Performance Researcher
‘the cool thing about working at Optiver is that I get to take ownership and be part of the entire life-cycle of my project from planning through to deployment…’
A day in the life of Vicky Su, Graduate Software Developer
Roles
Optiver recently advertised roles in Market Risk Analysis, Quantitative Research and Trading.
2. Westpac Group
Westpac is the big 4’s venerable oldie. Sydney-based but serving 13.9 million customers across the Asia Pacific region and from their London base. Five philanthropic Foundations speak to Westpac's commitment to doing social good.
Westpac recruits ‘uncommon minds’ from a broad spectrum of disciplines and offers roles in areas labelled ‘transformation’ and ‘innovation. Grad programs are specific to your chosen area but share a common focus on peer and alumni mentoring and structured support.
However, a solid informal network is key to unlocking premium opportunities.
Their profile highlights social and corporate responsibility and illustrates the stages in their grad program.
Read Westpac’s Employer Profile
Top 100 ranking
Westpac ranks 4th in our list of top 100 employers for 2022.
Reviews - overall score 4.5/5/10
Low to middling 8s /10, top scores go to ‘Culture’ and ‘Working environment’ at 9.1 apiece.
Top 3 upsides
- Good people, great culture
- A flat structure led by ‘humans, not figureheads’
- Flexible and reasonable hours - with no pressure to work long or late when you don’t need to
The downside
The ‘typical glitches faced by giants’ – change can be cumbersome; silos can slow down workflows
Grad stories
‘You’d be surprised by how many unexpected opportunities you are presented within the [grad] program through saying ‘yes’ and stepping outside of your comfort zone.'
Lachlan, 2021 Business Graduate
'I get in the office and say hi to my people leader (who has set very high standards by being an amazing people leader).'
A day in the life of Vidya 2022 Risk Grad
Roles
Westpac recently advertised Intern and Grad Program applications in Corporate and Institutional banking, Cyber security, Indigenous pathways and more.
Westpac’s application survival guide
1. NAB
NAB normally rounds out the group of ‘Big 4’ Australian banks, but it tops our list of grad employers in the sector. Land a job at NAB, and you’ll join a staff of around 32,000, caring for over 8 million customers in about 700 locations in Australia, New Zealand and beyond.
NAB offers all the depth and breadth of opportunity you’d expect from a bulge bracket heavyweight. You can also expect to scale steep learning curves and enjoy the immense satisfaction that comes from assuming end-to-end responsibility for project tasks. Complete the NAB’s grad program, and you’re guaranteed a job.
Their profile highlights safety, simplicity, and sustainability as core values underpinning all relationships and operations.
Top 100 ranking
NAB ranks 3rd in our list of top 100 employers for 2022.
Reviews - overall score 4.5/5
Solid scores all round with ‘Diversity’ a standout 9.3/10
Top 3 upsides
- Flexibility in hours and opportunities to move ‘horizontally and vertically’
- A genuine focus on work-life balance
- Generous, accessible ongoing support to learn and grow
The downside
The ‘common to enormous corporate’ challenges - finding your feet and navigating labyrinthine systems.
Grad stories
‘I wanted to begin my career in an organisation that is genuinely invested in my development and at a place where I could see endless opportunities for growth.’
Talieh Azari Private Wealth Graduate
‘I work almost exclusively from home.’
A day in the life of Cameron Howard, Project Delivery Graduate
Roles
NAB recently advertised Intern and Grad Program applications in Private Wealth, Risk, Corporate and Institutional banking.