Top MBA Recruiters: S&P Global
In 1869, Henry Varnum Poor published an investor’s guide to the American railroad industry. As it approaches its 160th year, New York City‘s S&P Global, the company that bearing his name, is an elite firm that organizes an index fund for the stock market and provides important financial information to businesses around the world.
S&P Global is one of the largest financial analytics firms in the world, which means that many MBAs who aspire to roles as quants should read on.
Why MBAs Love S&P Global
For those familiar with the Wall Street Journal, S&P Global’s massive international presence in the financial market is hard to miss. MBAs who want to pursue international opportunities or return to their home countries can find many opportunities with S&P Global, operating 65 offices spread across six continents.
Given the prominent position in finance, S&P Global offers extremely competitive wages to its employees. According to Glassdoor, MBAs who begin their careers at S&P Global as associates can earn an average of $110,397, with an additional $15,000 in cash bonuses.
Life at S&P Global
S&P Global and S&P Global Market Intelligence both emphasize strong work-life balance and benefits. In addition to comprehensive health, vision, dental, and retirement benefits, S&P provides employees with support for child and elder care, adoption assistance, and a maternity management program for new mothers. S&P also offers employees a $5,000 refund for continuing education courses.
Another major benefit that employees extol is the high quality of their colleagues, who are described as extremely smart and open to collaboration. Some also mention how S&P Global is a fantastic place to learn about the business and get a foothold in the field.
Landing a Job at S&P Global
The firm operates on three primary principles: relevance, integrity, and excellence. S&P also seeks candidates who embody the following leadership qualities:
- Operate outside-in
- Elevate people
- Adopt a worldview
- Drive performance
- Speak the truth
- Execute with discipline.
It is critical that all prospective employees to understand what these values mean to them and how they can be applied to their work at S&P Global.
The application process is rather straightforward. For example, prospects for the associate position are first screened through a 30-minute phone interview. If the phone interview is passed, candidates are called in for a series of interviews and a two-hour in-house rating assessment, which requires that the candidate writes a one-page recommendation based on information provided to them by the firm.
As noted above, throughout this process, the firm attempts to assess the candidate’s fit within the S&P Global culture. S&P also looks to ensure that candidates have the technical skills necessary to thrive in the job if hired.
The best candidates will have made contact with current employees to review what systems are being used at S&P Global, particularly in their desired area of employment, and will know how their experience and mentality fits with the firm’s values and principles.
Current S&P Global Jobs Openings
The company is currently looking for a litany of MBA talent in and outside of the United States. There are over 300 openings at S&P Global Market Intelligence alone. Just last week, the following positions opened up:
Sales Associate – Investment Banking/Private Equity – New York City, U.S.
While this position does not explicitly require an MBA degree, the company notes that is preferred, in addition to “Investment Management, Hedge Fund, Private Equity and Investment Banking space.” Business school grads with a passion for sales are prime for this role, who will need to “identify key decision makers and influencers with target prospects and execute sales strategy collaborate with sales members, client services, product management, operations, technology, and legal to optimize product and service delivery.”
Product Manager – Digital Storefront – New York City, NY or Charlottesville, VA or Centennial, CO, U.S.
For business school grads less interested in the art of sales and more inclined to the world of strategy, a Product Manager role may be perfect. The role looks for people who can “build out a new digital storefront for all of our data sets products. You will work alongside S&P Global Technology, Commercial, Content and Operation teams to define executable business requirements that are aligned with Clients needs as well as the broader S&P Global strategy and goals.”
An MBA degree is not a requirement for the position. Rather, in line with the experience many MBAs have already earned by the time they earn a degree, the Product Manager should have at least three years of business analysis or project management experience, and four to six years of business experience in general.
Marketing Manager – New York City, U.S.
Business grads with at least five years of related experience may be very interested in the company’s Marketing Manager role in New York. They’re looking for candidates that can craft a compelling marketing narrative, working alongside the sales, research, and product teams, helping to build the brand.
Top MBA Recruiters: Atlassian
In 2002, Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar went into $10,000 of debt to release an issue and project tracker named Jira—a reference to Gojira, the Japanese name for Godzilla. Seventeen years later, Cannon-Brookes and Farquhar are owners and founders of Atlassian, an enterprise software company that employs over 3,000 people in six different countries and generates hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue.
As a major player in the enterprise software industry, MBAs with a keen interest in tech would do well to explore Atlassian. We reckon they will like what they see.
Why MBAs Love Working for Atlassian
Atlassian is widely considered to be one of the best companies to work for. It is, in fact, certified as a “Great Place to Work”. To start, employees are paid extremely competitive wages. According to Glassdoor, product managers—the positions that most MBAs occupy—are paid on average $136,000 annually. In addition to the salary, employees receive numerous benefits and perks.
The benefits start for employees before they have even claimed their desk. The company allows new hires to take a vacation to a destination of their choice before they start their position.
When Atlassian employees arrive at the office, they encounter many of the standard features that one sees at a tech company, such as pool tables, bean bags, and catered meals. However, there is no coffee. This, according to Head of Workplace Experience Brent Harman, is because they want to encourage the staff “to get some fresh air on a daily basis.”
“It’s not a money or productivity thing, it’s more about creating a reason for small groups of staff to get out of the office for the 15 minute breaks in the morning and afternoon.”
Atlassian covers many major costs for its employees. For example, health care is completely free. In addition, Atlassian provides $600 to cover its employee gym memberships. Along with these health benefits, employees have a budget with which to attend conferences and take continuing education courses. Employees can also take up to five days a year to work for a community service organization of their choice. In addition, there is unlimited vacation.
Life at Atlassian
Atlassian prides itself on maintaining a strong work-life balance and giving its employees flexibility. Some employees will work from the office, while others will stay home and work remotely. As one might suspect of a tech firm, the atmosphere in the office is extremely relaxed, with people in casual attire and working where they desire. Some might even take time away from their desk to partake in a yoga class or share a beer with their colleagues, with both the class and the keg provided by the company.
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Atlassian Career Opportunities
Although Atlassian gives off a breezy vibe, they do maintain a specific culture that is based around five core values:
- Open company, no bullshit
- Built with heart and balance
- Don’t screw the customer
- Play, as a team
- Be the change that you seek
To land a job with Atlassian, potential candidates must understand what these values mean and then show the Atlassian staff that they embody them. This ability will be as important—if not more so—than any technical skills.
In terms of programs, there is an associate product manager program that allows new graduates to learn the ropes over the course of one to two years. The general interview process consists of a written component, where applicants submit responses to questions posed by Atlassian. After approval, successful candidates are invited to interview at their a local office. This interview is usually in two parts and does not take longer than other interviews.
During the interview process, Atlassian assesses the candidate’s skills as well as their understanding of the company’s culture. As mentioned above, a cultural fit is as important as a skill fit, so any candidates considering applying must understand the Atlassian culture. Embodying these values will give candidates an advantage over others.
MBA Jobs: Accounting Manager
If there is one thing that unites all businesses, whether they are Etsy storefronts or multinational conglomerates, it’s that everyone needs to know how much money it has coming in and where it is going. At large companies and firms, this responsibility falls onto accounting managers. If you are someone with an eye for detail who knows their way around a budget, you might be an excellent fit for this job.
What Is an Accounting Manager?
The accounting manager is, largely, the head of a company’s accounting department. With the assistance of a small staff, the accounting manager keeps track of an organization’s finances and makes sure that the organization is following all necessary financial laws.
Accounting managers prepare reports for executives, letting them know where they are in relationship to their monthly, quarterly, and annual goals. Accounting managers also help to forecast the company’s financial future.
The following represent a few key responsibilities of accounting managers:
- Conducting audits
- Planning annual budgets
- Evaluating financial data
- Defining accounting policies
- Establishing financial standards
Accounting Manager Salaries
According to Glassdoor data, the average annual pay for an accounting manager is $88,160. Accounting managers can also earn an average of $8,426 in cash compensation. Compensation can range from $2,120 to $23,206, depending on the company, background, and academic experience. This generally translates to higher salaries for MBA grads.
For instance, accounting managers at EY (Ernst & Young) will likely earn over $100,000 on average, according to PayScale data.
Where Do You Start?
Candidates for accounting manager positions must have at least a BA/BS in Accounting or Finance. Most positions require candidates to be licensed Certified Public Accountants, or CPAs. This is not an entry-level position; businesses generally expect candidates to have had some previous supervisory experience.
Given the nature of this position, ideal candidates are ethical and able to think critically. Small errors can cost either a client or a firm a considerable amount of money, so it is essential that accounting managers are thorough in their work, always ensuring that their records are accurate and complete.
In addition to the technical skills, accounting managers need to have excellent written and interpersonal skills, because they are required to manage staff, which entails interactions with a wide variety of people.
One way to gain the skills needed for this position is to get a MBA from a top-notch program. We’ve outlined three programs, which provide the skills needed to be a successful Accounting Manager that stands out from the pack.
University of Texas’s McCombs School of Business
The McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin is home to one of the country’s finest accounting programs. Students can gain considerable accounting knowledge while expanding their management abilities. They will be able to do this while living in Austin, one of the country’s most livable cities.
University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign’s Gies College of Business
Students in the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois can develop their financial skills in the college’s flexible MBA program. The training will prepare graduates to take on the role of accounting manager at firms of any size.
Brigham Young University’s Marriott School
Among the top business schools in the United States, the Marriott School at Brigham Young University does not get its fair share of attention, which is unfortunate as it is home to one of the country’s top accounting programs. MBA students can go on the Finance track, which will prepare them for their futures as accounting managers.
Top MBA Recruiters: Samsung
With Vision 2020 goals that include $400 billion in revenue via VR technology, the implementation of 5G, and biotech, Samsung is one of the most desirable companies for MBAs who want to advance their careers at the intersection of business and tech. Along with a strong recruitment record from top programs for interns, a potential Samsung career also offers recent MBA grads competitive starting pay.
Samsung Career and Internship Opportunities
Samsung’s Global Strategy Group (GSG) is comprised of 25 affiliates across a wide range of industries. In a recent talk with Harvard Business School, Jake Junghyun Suh, Senior Manager at Samsung GSG notes that the company “recruits the best talent from top business schools and develops them into high-caliber global general managers … [As an intern or a strategist], one learns essential management skills by working across diverse geographies, industries and functions.”
The company recruits first year MBAs as interns and second year students as Global Strategists via its Leadership Development Program (LDP), which has been active since 2016. The program seeks to place students into positions furthering the company’s goals and enriching the management pipeline. Adhering to the principle of “a company is its people,” Suh says, recruits are not just brought in and left to their own devices. Instead, they become ambassadors for GSG, connecting with managers across affiliated companies. Interns and second year strategists continue to be engaged at all levels as they advance through the LDP.
Interns begin the LDP with a two month placement at Samsung’s Seoul headquarters, before advancing into marketing or strategy roles as internal consultants. If they choose to advance, strategists then transfer to one of GSG’s subsidiaries or one of fifteen regional headquarters.
Three main categories of rotations make up the LDP: Product Marketing (12 months); Strategy & Operations (six months); and Sales and Marketing (six months).
Product Marketing
In product marketing, students see development of products through development to launch, and end-of-life cycle transition. In this rotation, interns are exposed to both customers and various stakeholders from the Seoul headquarters.
Strategy & Operations
During the strategy & operations rotation, interns engage in strategic planning and a wide variety of functional areas, gaining the opportunity to provide support toward driving company goals.
Sales and Marketing
During the six months of the sales and marketing rotation, interns can expect to consolidate market information to shape consumer profiles while interacting with ad agencies and working on brand development projects.
While the three rotations provide students with a framework within which to develop, each recruit is encouraged to explore projects based upon their own interests and expertise. Initiative is key to Samsung career success.
Roshan Vaidyanathan, Michigan State University MBA said in a contribution to Samsung’s recruiting website, “This program provides countless opportunities for valuable industry exposure, rapid professional development, and accelerated networking … You are given the platform to define your career.”
Samsung MBA Salary Expectations
Samsung career salaries, according to recent figures from Glassdoor, range widely based upon education and experience level. While a field sales manager with a BA can expect to start at around $50,000 per year and a $12,000 bonus, senior managers with MBAs earn upwards of $125,000 with $30,000 in bonuses.
Recent openings include a Senior Strategy Management position within Samsung’s Accelerator, which supports the company’s startup efforts via innovative software and product development; a Product Marketing Manager job with Samsung’s TV division, and a Senior Manager for Integrated Marketing position. Each of these are located in Samsung’s Ridgefield Park, NJ headquarters.
MBAs willing to relocate may seek employment openings in the Seoul headquarters, or at one of the company’s locations in Silicon Valley, Seattle, Dallas, or New York City. The internship program also offers positions at each of these locations.
Some recent reviews by employees address Samsung’s company culture and benefit structure. Among these are that the company offers “an awesome environment [with] lots of freedom”… along with “exposure to new technologies and good benefits.” Samsung offers paid parental leave, along with competitive 401K matching and healthcare coverage that includes fitness memberships and wellness education.
Along with a strong community engagement/volunteer program, one of the other benefits of working at Samsung is its diverse environment. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for women, veterans, new mothers, and LGBTQ people offer networking and connection that help to enhance the employee’s experience at Samsung.
Top MBA Recruiters: Bridgewater Associates
Of the manifold of competing hedge funds, one clearly stands out above the rest: Bridgewater Associates.
With over $150 billion in assets under management, the Westport, Connecticut, firm is highly-regarded for its ability to consistently make gains—even during the 2008 economic crisis. In 2018, the firm’s flagship Pure Alpha fund gained 14.6 percent.
Let’s take a closer look at why MBA graduates should consider a Bridgewater Associates career.
Why MBAs Love Working at Bridgewater
Given its position in the market, Bridgewater provides a generous starting salary. According to Glassdoor, Management Associates—a position which MBAs would start their careers—are paid an average of $120,199 per year.
As with most investment jobs, bonuses from a successful year can raise this total even higher. This base rate puts Bridgewater well ahead of many of its peers in terms of compensation.
In addition to the starting salary, many MBAs are drawn to Ray Dalio, Bridgewater’s idiosyncratic leader. Dalio runs Bridgewater according to a series of principles that he developed early in the firm’s life that all employees are expected to follow.
Life at Bridgewater
Bridgewater’s culture is rooted in two major policies: radical truth and radical transparency.
Unlike other hedge funds, there is a flat hierarchy at Bridgewater. No one person is above criticism, meaning that anyone can criticize anyone else if they have done something incorrect. Since the company thrives on openness, employees’ ideas are often challenged by others to ensure that they are the best possible ones. Every person at Bridgewater is held accountable; all communication and meetings are recorded and made available to anyone who cares to access them.
While some find this environment to be too intense, many thrive in it. The openness of the company has created a tight-knit community that supports and takes care of one another. In terms of perks, the company offers employees free breakfast, lunch, and dinner; on-site meditation rooms, gyms, and laundry facilities; and shuttle service for those commuting from New York City or north.
Bridgewater Associates Career Prospects
Given that Bridgewater is extremely tight-lipped to the public about many aspects of its business, it is unclear where they recruit people and how many people they pull from particular locations. It can be said that they do engage in on-campus recruiting. When interviewing a managerial candidate, Bridgewater looks for “intellectually curious people” who value “truth, openness, and the pursuit of excellence at all costs.”
Candidates undergo the Bridgewater interview process. Often described as weird, the process involves many different interviews and tests to assess a candidate’s skills, as well as his/her potential fit with the organization. This can be a grueling process that wears down less interested candidates.
As noted earlier, the most important aspect is whether a candidate fits into the Bridgewater culture. To this end, anyone who is considering applying to work at Bridgewater must read Dalio’s Principles. This will let potential applicants know if Bridgewater is for them and give them a leg up during the interview process.
The 5 Highest Paid Toronto Internships for MBAs
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and home to leading companies in both business and finance. There’s a particularly large concentration of banks as well as media companies, publishing firms, telecommunication, IT, and film production companies. There’s a little bit of everything in the city including top MBA programs such as McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business, Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School of Management, and York University’s Schulich School of Business.
But where should you look for paid Toronto internships? First, the industry you choose matters. According to the 2018 employment report from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, you should stick with three industries if you want to earn the most money: law/legal services ($18,000 per month), consulting ($6,332 per month), and financial ($5,623 per month).
Specifically, you might want to check out these five high paying internships in the Toronto metro.
The 5 Highest Paid Toronto Internships for MBAs
Sun Life Financial is a Canadian financial services company headquartered in Toronto. It is as one of the largest life insurance companies in the world, spanning back to 1865. The company pulls in around $28.5 billion in revenue each year, with over 30,000 employees worldwide.
MBA students looking for an MBA internship have multiple options. In particular, there are positions in finance, HR, and real estate. There are also co-op options in the Business Leaders Internship Program. This program gives students ten weeks to work in a number of functional areas to learn where they can be successful.
According to Glassdoor, interns can expect to earn:
- Salary: $3,166 – $4,333 Per Month
Ontario Power Generation, owned by the government of Ontario, is responsible for half of the electricity generation in the Province. The company uses nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, gas, and biomass electricity. The energy diversity helps pull in about $4.73 billion in revenue each year, employing 10,840 people.
For MBA students, the company offers both winter and summer internship opportunities. Interns analyze new business opportunities, pitch marketing, complete customer research, and perform business model development.
Glassdoor reveals that an average intern earns:
- Salary: $4,160 – $5,440 Per Month
BMO Financial Group is a Canadian multinational banking and financial services company. It’s one of the big five banks of Canada and is the fourth-largest by market capitalization and assets. In fact, it’s one of the ten largest banks in all of North America with $21.7 billion in revenue each year and 45,200 employees.
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An MBA internship at BMO can cover a variety of job functions from financial modeling analyst to program management, investment banking, and capital markets. Through the program, students gain hands-on experience working with a team of seasoned professionals.
According to Glassdoor, an MBA intern can expect to earn:
- Salary: $3,000 – $4,160 Per Month
The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is a multinational financial services company and the largest bank in the country by market capitalization. It services over 16 million clients worldwide with personal banking services and products. 2017 estimates were around $40.6 billion in annual revenue with 79,000 employees.
RBC is home to a robust internship program with opportunities to work as a data scientist, business analyst, capital markets advisor, global equities, and more. Each internship program provides MBA students with the chance to work as a strategic advisor across a variety of industries from energy to health care, technology, real estate, media, and more.
As an intern, you can expect to earn a good salary according to Glassdoor:
- Salary: $4,833 – $5,166 Per Month
TD Securities is another Canadian investment bank and financial services company, offering advisory and capital market services. It is particularly known for providing expertise in corporate and investment banking, capital markets, and global transaction services. In 2016, TD Securities earned $3.03 billion in revenue with just 3,800 employees.
As far as internships for MBA students, there are many interesting 10-week options with business tracks in corporate and specialty banking as well as retail and product. These internships provide practical, hands-on experience, and can lead to participation in the 12-month MBA Associate Track Program post-graduation.
Based on intern salaries submitted to Glassdoor, MBA students can expect to earn:
- Salary: $3,250 – $4,166 Per Month
