Research Associate

At MFS the Equity Research Associate Program is designed to allow associates to become fully immersed in the investment management world of stock picking. The Equity Research Associates work with the fundamental equity research team and gather information on companies to augment the coverage of the analysts. The Equity Research Associate Program is designed to be a 3 - 4 year program, where incumbents generally will pursue graduate school or another opportunity inside or outside of MFS at the end of their term.

At MFS, you will find a culture that supports you in doing what you do best. Our employees work together to reach better outcomes, favoring the strongest idea over the strongest individual. We put people first and demonstrate care and compassion for our community and each other. Because what we do matters – to us as valued professionals and to the millions of people and institutions who rely on us to help them build more secure and prosperous futures.


WHAT YOU WILL DO

Responsibilities:

• Support the Equity Research Analysts and Portfolio Managers in daily activities and custom projects
• Gather and collate information about companies by interviewing the companies, their suppliers and customers, government agencies, sell side analysts, etc. Travel may be required.
• Gather and synthesize information from multiple sources to assess a company’s growth prospects, competitive position, management, etc. including financial data from databases and from interviews
• Build, analyze and maintain company and sector financial models and databases using above sources
• Presents findings to relevant members of the investment team
• Assume additional projects and responsibilities as required (e.g. case studies, sector presentations)
• Act as a conduit for cross-industry and cross-portfolio research

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Skills:

• Exceptional analytical skills and intimate familiarity with financial statements
• Sound financial analysis skills such as building and maintaining a full financial model in Microsoft Excel
• Ability to work and document information in Microsoft Word and Power Point
• Ability to compile and process large amounts of information
• Creative problem solving and ability to work independently on stock analysis and to proactively manage complex projects
• Attention to detail
• Strong communication skills both written and verbal
• Ability to work within a team as well as coordinate work streams with other global associates

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in financially relevant discipline / progress towards CFA qualification
• Work authorization is required - Australian Citizen / Permanent Resident / Full Working Rights in Australia is essential

Experience:

• One to three years' relevant full time experience building models and analyzing / working with financial statements & databases
• Management of large information sets and complex projects from inception to completion
• Working independently and within a team setting
• Creative problem solving
• Written and verbal communication in differing settings and group sizes
• Use of Word, Excel and Powerpoint

Other requirements:

• Ability to travel
• Self-starter, can-do attitude, enquiring mind
• Demonstrated passion for equity investing and the stock market
• Demonstrated strong interest in developing a career in buy-side equity research