Graduates

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Where will I be based?

A. Whilst our clients are UK wide, our head office is in Leicester. We have also recently acquired businesses in both London and Aberdeen, however the graduate programme runs in our Leicester base. We have purpose built offices at Grove Park, near the Fosse Park shopping centre. It’s just off the intersection of the M1/M69 (junction 21 of the M1), so is easily reached from Nottingham, Derby, Northampton, Coventry, and parts of the West Midlands.

Q. What degree disciplines do you look out for?

A. Successful Trainee Account Managers have historically joined us with degrees in Economics, Financial Studies, Business Studies, Maths, Law and English. However, we are more interested in other things you could bring to the role, for example achievements in your personal life or work experience. The key to success here is more about the right attitude and ambitions than anything else!

If you are looking to join us at a more senior level, although degrees are desirable, we are interested in speaking to people who are ‘qualified by experience’.

Q. What is your recruitment process?

A. After completing the application form, if you are successful you’ll be asked to attend an assessment centre at our offices. The assessment centre includes a competency based interview, a team activity and a case study exercise where you will be required to research certain aspects of the pensions industry beforehand. We aim to gain an understanding as to who you are as a person, as well as what you have learnt in your life so far. You will be given an opportunity to turn the tables and ask whatever you want to know in a Q&A session with people from all parts of the business.

If you are successful at assessment centre, a second interview will explore some of the areas above in more depth, with the two Senior Managers.

There is on-site parking and assessment centres typically last for a whole day.

Q. What training will I get?

A. As a Trainee Account Manager, you will be settled into your team at the same time as the other trainees, with a dedicated Training Manager. For the next 4 months you will get a mixture of theory and practical examples to learn from, coupled with regular in-house training workshops. Your next 8-12 months will see a move into one of the sections, under the guidance of a mentor. The purpose of this relationship is to develop your skills as an Account Manager and begin to build your own client caseloads whilst still receiving the support you may need.

You will start to study your CFP papers 1 – 5 or alternatively you can progress onto the diploma in regulated financial planning.

For all positions you will get a structured induction, including agreeing a tailored Personal Development Plan which will be reviewed through your appraisals.

Q. What sort of progression will there be for me?

A. Due to continued expansion, Mattioli Woods actively looks for people who want to progress in their career. The vast majority of Mattioli Woods’ senior managers, for example, have come through the graduate process. It takes at least 2 years to become a competent Account Manager, and from there the sky really is the limit. We look for people to become our future consultants, people managers, and specialists (for example investment research or compliance).

Q. What sort of package do you offer?

A. There is a competitive basic salary, with a variety of further benefits including discretionary annual bonus, a Share Incentive Scheme, and twice annual pay reviews linked to a structured appraisal process. You will be fully sponsored through your financial planning exams, and may even earn yourself a bonus in the process! For non account management careers, additional professional qualifications and training can also be supported.