Where Should I Work: PwC or KPMG?
If you’re interested in a career in consulting, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and KPMG are two of the top names in the business. As elite professional services firms, they have a lot to offer MBA graduates in terms of high salaries, culture, and career development. And that’s on top of their unique internship and recruiting opportunities specific to MBAs.
Continue reading…Top MBA Recruiters: Invesco
Founded in Atlanta in 1978, investment management firm Invesco has become a global leader in the field, with offices in 25 countries and over $11 billion in managed funds for its clients.
The firm, as of a July 2019, features around 8,000 employees. U.S. offices, in addition to the Atlanta headquarters, include Chicago, Dallas, Austin, Newport Beach, CA, Los Altos CA, Portland OR, Boston, and New York City.
MBAs with various levels of career experience contribute to the large talent pool from which Invesco hires. Here, we’ll break down the firm’s recruitment and hiring process, salary, and an overview of company culture.
Landing an Invesco Career
Invesco, like most global asset management firms of its size, has an in-house recruitment team that seeks graduate level students throughout the year. With an Early Career program for those just starting after their MBA studies, Invesco prides itself on grooming ‘future asset management leaders.’ Analyst roles are the most prevalent for recently graduated hires, and MBAs who possess previous work experience are obviously considered for commensurate positions.
An early career Properties Analyst in the Atlanta office says:
“What I like most about working at Invesco is the opportunities I’ve been given in my job. I’m a recent grad; at other companies I was just there and didn’t have a ton to do. Once I started my job at Invesco, I’ve had challenging assignments and so many interesting projects to work on – it’s really helped develop my skills and prepared me for my next role.”
The company’s website offers a talent network which enables applicants to obtain optimal job matches for their backgrounds. It prides itself upon honoring their applicants’ individual areas of expertise; each new hire is asked questions regarding the division in which they believe they would function best. MBAs are sought in all divisions, but a large number are hired in Finance & Accounting, Quantitative Analytics, Investment Services & Operations, Marketing & Product Management, and Sales.
Paysa reports that the most valued skills as Invesco are related to investments, with 39 percent of hires possessing this type of background. This is followed by experience in mutual funds (29 percent of hires); general management (29 percent), and asset management (27 percent).
As for interviews, Glassdoor data shows that 66 percent surveyed reported a positive experience. Around 39 percent of those who interviewed applied online, 19 percent were interviewed via referral, and 28 percent were recruited either on a campus or from another employer.
Invesco Career Compensation
New York City Invesco employees typically see the highest annual salaries ($132,000), according to Paysa. Boston follows in second ($129,000), then San Francisco ($126,000), Atlanta ($116,000), and Dallas-Fort Worth ($105,000). The overall base salary average at Invesco is $102,661. This includes a base salary of $70,000 in the 25th percentile and $125,000 in the 25th percentile.
Accountants in various departments start out closer to the lower percentile. Fund accountants, along with those that manage corporate accounts, make an average of $54,000 and a range of $48,000-68,000. Senior accountants bump up to a range of $62,000-73,000. Analysts working in equities average $95,000 on average, while financial reporting analysts bring in an average of $80,000. Portfolio administrators typically earn around $60,000.
Averages for management roles at Invesco include the following:
- Director – $109,000
- Program Manager – $119,000
- Project Lead – $108,000.
As for marketing roles, business analysts make $107,000 on average, Senior Business Analysts earn $116,000, and Marketing Managers earn $73,000, on average.
Invesco is in the top 300 highest paid finance companies according to Paysa, at 280th.
Life at Invesco
A July 2019 Indeed review on Invesco states, “Depending on the department, Invesco is a great company to work for. Some areas allow employees to work remote a few days a week and Friday’s and Monday’s are generally casual dress days. The work life balance is good in most departments and the benefits are okay. The health plan is way too expensive but it covers a lot. Most employees throughout the company are driven, intelligent and work hard because they really take pride in what they do and in the company as a whole.”
Another employee reports “great benefits and development opportunities,” and a veteran employee noted, “I worked at Invesco for 18 years so there were a lot of changes … Early morning and close of day were very busy. I had an excellent supervisor who was very supportive and made work a lot easier. Best company I ever worked for.”
Employees at the Atlanta Invesco headquarters, seen here, typically earn more than $100,000 annually.
The company boasts a “diverse and inclusive culture,” though it is reported to be made up of a 52 percent white, male identifying workforce. About 31 percent of employees are female identifying, while 20 percent did not disclose gender. Around 36 percent did not disclose ethnicity, but those who did were 7 percent Asian, 4 percent LatinX, and 1 percent African descent.
Invesco makes an effort to involve employees in charitable organizations, with volunteer events and giving opportunities. The company also prides itself on responsible investment, as stated in its 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility Report. The company offers competitive health coverage, parental leave, compensation for education and certifications, retirement planning and income protection. Like many of its peers, Invesco also offers compensation for gym memberships and wellness programs.
Top MBA Recruiters: MetLife
Founded in 1868, MetLife—one of the world’s largest providers of insurance, annuities, and employee benefit programs—currently serves over 90 million customers in over 60 countries, including more than 90 of the 100 Fortune 500 companies. With such a rich history, it’s fairly easy to see why MetLife careers can be so appealing for MBA candidates and recent grads.
What MBAs Love About MetLIfe
According to Glassdoor, associates (a common entry-level job for MBA graduates) can pull an average salary of $90,522, with another $26,781 in cash bonuses. This figure is well above the national insurance associate annual average of $42,849; a 47 percent difference in salary alone.
Another one of the main perks of working at MetLife is the variety of great benefits. MetLife offers health, dental, vision, disability, accident, auto, home, life, and even pet insurance. These insurance plans are also adaptable for MetLife employees who regularly travel internationally.
Legal services are also provided through MetLaw® for a wide range of potential legal issues, such as will and estate planning documents, real estate, traffic defense, and identity theft. MetLaw®, provided by Hyatt Legal Plans (a MetLife company), is a network of over 15,000 lawyers, with an average of 25 years of experience per attorney.
Working at MetLife
MetLife prides itself on offering employees training and development opportunities, allowing them to realize their full potential. MetLife’s international profile also offers employees the opportunity for global mobility and maximum geographic versatility.
The company actively fosters diversity through two distinct mechanisms. The first of which factors recruiting traditionally underrepresented minority groups. For example, the Global Women’s Initiative seeks out qualified female candidates and offers career development. The Veteran’s Initiative seeks to provide positive transition from military service to working life. And the People with Different Abilities Initiative empowers those with disabilities, striving to find the differently-abled candidates positions in which they can thrive.
The other method in which MetLife encourages an inclusive environment is through employee networks, such as the Global Multicultural Professionals (to create awareness around culturally diversity and to support diverse talent), Local Inclusion Action Teams (which support diversity in specific offices), GLAM (a network for LGBTQ+ employees and allies), and Families at MetLife (created promote a culture of understanding for working families).
MetLife sponsors a number of different resources designed to facilitate a healthy work-life balance. Work-Life ASSIST specifically offers coaching and resources to help employees with their day-to-day lives. Childcare and Eldercare support similarly offers resources for working families. On top of all that, workplace flexibility and PTO are integral to the livelihood of a MetLife employee.
Volunteer efforts, like its partnership with Habitat for Humanity, makes working at MetLife more than just a traditional job.
Finding MetLife Careers
MetLife has several programs that might appeal to recent MBA grads. The Global Leadership Development program offers those with three-to-five years of related experience an opportunity to cross-train in three rotational assignments, in conjunction with advice from a designated mentor and other senior leaders.
MetLife also prides itself on being proactive with regard to recent technological advances. As is the case across most industries, candidates with tech backgrounds are in high demand.
Current MetLife Careers
Several positions that favor individuals with MBAs are currently available at MetLife. Most of these jobs are located within the U.S.. However, there are also openings in Mexico, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the UK.
Associate – Asset Management: Washington DC
Candidates with five-or-more years of experience in asset management or commercial real estate might be interested in this Washington DC position at MetLife Investments. This position focuses on managing and reporting on existing MetLife assets, while also exploring stable ways to expand MetLife revenue through investments.
Director – Global Customer Experience Strategy and Planning: New York City
This NYC position is best suited for those who specialize in customer experience. It requires eight-or-more years of professional experience in management consulting or strategy and program management. However, it is perfect for those with a global mindset and entrepreneurial disposition.
Top MBA Employers: UBS – The Union Bank of Switzerland
In the MBA job hunt, you may wonder which company will be the best fit for you. Work-life balance, salary requirements, and company culture are all things to consider during your process. However, how much a potential employer values your degree is also crucial. One is wise to focus on companies that seek fresh, new MBA hires, but also for their potential to push future growth. The Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) is one company that has developed a great reputation for hiring and cultivating student talent, making it a top recruiter for MBAs.
Designed to “unite your education with … hands-on experience” MBA Associate positions can take place either over the summer or full-time. Both positions are in UBS’ Corporate Client Solutions (CCS) division of their investment bank.
The 10-week summer position is open to MBAs between the first and second years of business school. Applications acceptations start in October of the previous year, for employment beginning the following June. Summer Associates will learn how to see transactions through from start to finish under the guidance of senior management, while gaining access to a full range of networking events and seminars.
Full-time Associates will have completed the summer position previous to hiring, and are placed with a team with which they can pursue the next level of immersion into the workings of the CCS.
Finding UBS MBA Internships
Currently, UBS is in search of interns for its Quantitative Trading desk. The quant trading intern will specialize in building predictive models, but will also learn the full range of duties associated with trading. This position requires a desire to learn about market impact, portfolio risk management, and more. An intern in quant trading will join the Investor Client Services team, on which he/she will learn how to offer advice to fund and asset managers as they purchase and sell securities. The position begins with a week long training, followed by nine weeks as a full team member. February 17, 2019 is the deadline for application.
For recent grads hoping to get some work experience first, UBS’s Graduate Talent Program may be a great fit. The New York office is hiring recent grads within its Investment Risk Control department. This position involves knowledge of regulations, laws and rules that govern the investment industry, along with the updating of marketing materials to ensure their accuracy. The Graduate Talent Program hire will gain the opportunity to rotate through the Market and Credit Risk Teams, preparing them for a future in the compliance and regulatory fields. No deadline is currently listed for application.
UBS hires MBA grads around the world as part of its numerous corporate programs, including the UBS Graduate Talent Program, currently looking for new entrants in New York City.
Internships are also available at the New York City, Weehawken, NJ and Stamford, CT offices for Group Operations positions. The focus of these positions is management of company processes to guarantee efficiency and maintain high performance. Servicing the Wealth Management, Asset Management, and Investment Banking divisions of UBS, the Group Operations Intern will analyze current systems, as well as assist in implementing new processes across each department. The deadline for application is June 1, 2019.
UBS MBA Culture
UBS prides itself upon hiring people with diverse backgrounds and experiences, encouraging applicants to draw upon all of their interests. Though your MBA may require focus on your current studies and past business experiences, other team-focused or planning activities are crucial when applying.
As UBS states, “Perhaps you’ve organized a fundraising event or taken part in team sports? Or persevered and passed an exam in a subject you found challenging? Think about how things you’ve achieved match the skills we’re after.”
UBS MBA Salary
According to PayScale, the average BA grad earns about $64,000 USD at UBS. When compared to MBA grads, these figures leap to over $80,000—a 20 percent increase. Salary differences are often depending upon specialty. Specifically, MBAs with a focus in finance earn around $75,000. While those graduating with a focus in information technology may earn over $150,000 per year.
Looking for a Career in Banking? Consider These MBA Programs
For MBAs who seek positions in finance, investment services, commercial and investment banking, or in the emerging universe of Fintech, a degree with a banking focus may be just the thing to pursue.
Here is a glimpse at some of the top schools for banking MBA programs.
MBA Job Opportunities: BlackRock
Though many MBA grads are passionate about their career prospects, those driven to work in the financial industry may be more reticent to commit to a life of uncomfortable suits and harsh fluorescent lights. A TINYpulse study found that employees at financial service companies have some of the lowest career satisfaction rates out there, despite stable salaries. The study put the amount of financial service employees who are happy with their work environment at less than 22 percent. In fact, an eFinancialCareers study found that one third of bankers hate their jobs. So, does an MBA and a penchant for finance mean a life of tolerating punishing work hours with little recognition from colleagues and superiors? Not necessarily.
Recent MBA grads with a penchant for finance will be pleased to learn that BlackRock, Inc., one of the largest asset-management companies in the world, provides a different kind of environment from the majority of financial institutions. Business Insider consistently ranks BlackRock as one of the premier financial employers in the U.S, writing, “The firm is big on employee development plans and employee engagement. For example, employees get to pitch ideas to senior executives at the two-day Innovation Summit, which helps spur new products for retirees and connect coworkers across different departments, according to LinkedIn.”
Why Work at BlackRock?
In a Business Insider interview, Jeff Smith, Senior Managing Director at BackRock’s Head of Global Human Resources Group, called BlackRock, “… an incredibly passionate place with a very clear sense of purpose that comes from Larry Fink, our founder and CEO, to everyone else in the company.”
BlackRock is renowned for its relaxed corporate culture, and 73 percent of its employees report high job satisfaction. The company employs over 130 investment teams in 30 different countries, so there is ample opportunity to join BlackRock beyond its New York City headquarters.
BlackRock’s effort to create a successful and diverse environment has been nothing short of empowering. Since 2015, over 2000 of the company’s prominent employers joined in the “Driving Better Decisions” initiative, which aims to help remove “unconscious bias” in decision-making, according to the official BlackRock website, as well as rethink the way human resources recruits and develops diverse talent. While the gender ratio at the company is still predominantly male, BlackRock has also made a concerted effort to increase female employment in senior management roles to 30 percent by the end of the decade, signing the HM Treasury’s Women in Finance Charter.
Pay Day
According to recent PayScale survey figures, MBA grads, despite their role, earn around $86,000 annually at BlackRock. These figures fluctuate depending on the specific role, rising to as much as $316,000 per year for investment strategists. According to the same data, bonuses at the company are also pretty exceptional. Portfolio managers reported an average bonus of $39,000 per year, while even the lowest bonus figures neared $10,000 per year.
Figures according to PayScale data.
Interning at BlackRock
For students nearing the end of their higher education journey, BlackRock offers summer internships for a glimpse of life at the company. BlackRock’s global Analyst Program is a two year-long entry level program for new graduates. The program kicks off with a training in New York City. Throughout the program, trainees will develop their skills in communicating with clients and understanding how to help them manage fiduciary matters.
BlackRock offers several other internships, and is conscious of promoting diversity in their industry. The Founders Scholarship provides merit rewards and a summer internship to students who identify as Black, Hispanic, Native American, LGBTQ, or disabled. Merit awards for this scholarship can be as high as $15,000.
Getting Hired
In an interview with eFinancialCareers, Jonathan Jones, director of global campus recruiting at BlackRock, gave some insight into how interested candidates can get their foot in the door at the company.
“What I think makes a BlackRock person stand out though, is that we look for people who embody or represent our principles. For example, we have a commitment to innovation. Innovation—original thinking, problem solving, and creativity – is central to our identity. Equally, we have a strong commitment to teamwork, and we look for people who can join the dots between our disparate activities in ways which can solve problems for our clients,” Jones said.
According to Jones, BlackRock hires many recent university graduates with Bachelor’s degrees, and the company also hires MBA candidates who have work experience that is relevant to specific positions, such as real estate and equity research.
A recent highlight from Clear Admit on the best business school’s for MBA grads that want to break into the industry that these five schools produced the most finance employees:
- Columbia Business School
- University of Chicago Booth School of Business
- New York University Stern School of Business
- University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School
- Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management
BlackRock has been actively recruiting at the world’s high ranking universities, stopping by Columbia Business School as recently as last month for an information session. Read here to find out for more events the company is hosting in the coming weeks and months and check out more about a potential career with BlackRock below.
