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. At McGrathNicol we are big for opportunity, growth, development, and performance. We empower you to make the greatest positive impact on your career, our performance and our client’s future.
Staff stats: 300+
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 Accounting, Finance, Economics, STEM
McGrathNicol started as primarily a Restructuring and Insolvency firm. The firm quickly expanded to provide Advisory services, such as Business Optimisation, Cyber, Deals, Forensic, Government Advisory and Managing Risk. Their 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.
McGrathNicol currently has 51 partners operating in offices across Australia.
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. The firm 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 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 and Summer Vacation Programs, you’ll need to be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident to apply.
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 firm recruits many (though not all) of its Grads through its Summer Vacation Program. This runs for four weeks over the Christmas break.
If you secure a spot in McGrathNicol’s Grad program, you will be employed on a full-time permanent basis. As a graduate, we will acquire broad commercial skills while working in all areas of the business, be involved in major projects and be given significant autonomy and responsibility. You will complete a Graduate Development Workshop and numerous technical and soft-skills training programs. There will be plenty of opportunities to hone your business writing, time management, communication and presentation skills. You will have both national and international secondment opportunities. Plus, you will be supported while undertaking the Chartered Accountants Program or further industry-related study.
McGrathNicol is transparent about the skills and competencies its people need to progress to the next level. Employees 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”.
Employees 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 attend the more casual firm social events. The social functions encourage employee 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 governments 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.
At McGrathNicol we are big for performance, development, opportunity and experiences. We empower you to make the greatest impact on your career, our performance and our client’s future. Our people are passionate, driven, inclusive and collaborative. Continuous development is ingrained in our culture and we have robust development and reward frameworks in place to support progression.
Graduates and Summer Vacationers have the opportunity to gain exposure to the variety of challenges faced by Boards, CEOs and senior management. 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 team members and Partners, learning from some of the best in the industry.
Apply today. Grow further at McGrathNicol.
Our Summer Vacation Program is open to students in their penultimate year of study. Running for either four weeks (commencing in November or January), or eight weeks (commencing in November), 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. You will 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 recently graduated (typically within two years) of the program start date. Our Graduates are employed on a full-time permanent basis. 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 improve essential soft skills such as personal productivity and professional interactions. Our Advisory & Restructuring Graduates also receive full support to complete further industry-related study or post-graduate qualifications such as the Chartered Accountants Program.
Graduates generally commence in February of each year, however, midyear commencement dates and/or casual employment may also be available throughout your university semester.
Please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn for more information on our programs and future vacancies.
The recruitment process commences with an online application. This involves completing a short form and uploading a CV and academic transcript. The next stages are an online cognitive ability assessment and a recorded video interview submission. If you are shortlisted, you’ll be invited to attend a group information and interview session. This will allow you get to know the firm and its people better. The final stage is face-to-face behavioural interviews with senior employees and Partners.
McGrathNicol offers a competitive remuneration package and a generous bonus scheme. It fully funds its graduates to complete the 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 as well as the option to purchase additional annual leave.