Financial Management Association of Australia
Australia’s leading body connecting students to investment banking, asset management, consulting, financial and professional services employers.
Editor
Gwenaelle Le Bail | Publications Director, FMAA Sydney
Dear Members,
The Financial Management Association of Australia (FMAA) prides itself on being a touchpoint for students’ professional development and career
goals We aim to connect members with our unparalleled sponsor base, comprising firms from a variety of industries spanning investment banking, management consulting, asset management and professional services.
We also offer quality educational events, resources and networking opportunities to support students in their university journey. 2025 was another year of success for the FMAA, marking the 36th year of the society, and the 32nd year for the University of Sydney branch As FMAA Sydney’s outgoing president, I am deeply grateful for the 1500+ members who joined us this year, the internal committee for their unwavering commitment to what we do, and our 64 sponsor firms for their ongoing support.
Core to our offering are our famous keynote events. This year, we saw record student registrations and fantastic sponsor reception for all of our keynotes - including the Women in Business Brunch, Down to Business Luncheon, Corporate Cocktails, Financial Services Evening, STEM Pathways Evening and our ESG Industry Insights Evening.
We also are very proud of our individual firm tailored events, from national webinars to case competitions and firm information evenings, which provided an intimate setting for students to meet firms. This year, we also worked hard to offer more pre-penultimate educational events including our inaugural Careers in Consulting, Intern Speaker Panel and Level Up: Early Careers Workshop. A large thank you to our fellow society partners who assisted us in the organisation of these events
I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved this year, and I’m confident FMAA will continue to thrive under the lead of the incoming 2026 Executive Team. I can’t wait to see what 2026 holds!
Once again, I’d like to thank all our members for your unwavering support, as your continued engagement is why we do what we do. I would also like to thank all our sponsors for strengthening the partnerships we have formed throughout 2025, with special appreciation for Macquarie, our gold and founding sponsor, for their continuing commitment to the FMAA.
I wish you the best of luck for your future endeavours
Warm regards, Jacinta Ma | 2025 Outgoing President, FMAA Sydney
This year, we had: 6,200 members nationally
1,500 with at USYD
The FMAA’s keynote events provide students the chance to interact with sponsor firms before and during recruitment periods Renowned for their exceptional scale and professionalism, these events showcase keynote speakers, panel discussions and networking sessions, complemented by food and refreshments.
Held on the 13 of March at the 12-Micron, the annual Women in Business Brunch (WBB) is an inspiring event that aims to highlight the diversity of successful career pathways for women in business FMAA recognises the need for gender diversity in the finance industry and strives to achieve positive change through the WBB’s professional insights and networking opportunities for our female members th
The brunch started with a welcome address from keynote speaker Kerrie Gillies, Associate Director at Macquarie, which was then followed by a structured panel discussion featuring Kerrie, Jaki Virtue (Chief Operating Officer, Soul Patts), Gemma Bjarnason (Dimensional), and Kate Quigg (Azure Capital). These 4 empowering women shared personal insights on overcoming inequality in the workplace, global mobility opportunities, and retrospective advice for young women. Following the panel, 80 female students had time to network with representatives from 29 sponsor firms, spanning across the banking, consulting, asset management and professional service sectors
80 attendees 29 sponsors
Sponsors in attendance: Macquarie Group, Atlas Infrastructure, Australian Super, Azure Capital, Barrenjoey, BCG, Blackstone, Bloomberg, CPA, Dimensional, Grant Samuel, Greenhill, Gresham Partners, Jefferies, J P Morgan, Kearney, Lazard Australia, MA Financial, McKinsey & Company, Mercer, Morgan Stanley, Nomura, Pinnacle Investment Management, PwC, RBC Capital Markets, Soul Patts, UBS, Wesfarmers, Yarra Capital
Ballroom, hosting 180 attendees and 23 sponsor firms.
The event was initiated by a welcoming address from the Presidents of FMAA Sydney and UNSW, followed by a wonderful speech from keynote speaker Henry Liu, an Associate Director in the Financial Institutions Group team at the FMAA’s gold sponsor firm Macquarie. Originally a lawyer and with experience overseas, Henry explained the unique trajectory behind his corporate finance experience, allowing students to listen to his unique advice whilst enjoying entrees Open networking then followed, where students were able to learn firm-specific tips for internships and graduate programmes. The event concluded with the main course, in which students sat amongst firm representatives to gain further insights about the industry
180 attendees 23 sponsors
This year, our Corporate Cocktails evening was held on Tuesday, 1 of April, at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney’s CBD, which allows students to freely network with an exceptional range of boutique and global firms in the financial services, asset management and management consulting industries. As one of our open-format events, FMAA members were able to enjoy quality conversations with sponsor firm representatives, familiarising students with each firm’s unique vision and culture to aid their recruitment process for internship and graduate roles st
Over an assortment of drinks, the professional and inquisitive discussions surrounding diverse academic backgrounds, career pathways and common interests, are a testament to the continued professional reputation of the FMAA’s Corporate Cocktails.
200 attendees 18 sponsors
Sponsors in attendance: Macquarie Group, Atlas Infrastructure, Azure Capital, Barrenjoey, Blackstone, Citi, Grant Samuel, Greenhill, Houlihan Lokey, ICA Partners, J P Morgan, Kearney, Lazard Australia, MA Financial, McKinsey & Company, Oliver Wyman, Stanton Road Partners, UBS
100 attendees 19 sponsors Junior Panel
The 2025 Financial Services Evening (FSE) was held on the 1 of July this year at Macquarie Group’s new Head Office in Martin Place. As a staple keynote event, FSE allowed students to connect with professionals from leading firms in various roles within the financial services sector.
Through both a junior and senior panel, students were able to better understand the internship application process during the middle of the year and enhance their understanding of the finance industry.
Panel
Following the junior panel, our esteemed Senior Panel featured Daniel Chun (Macquarie), Lisa Zhong (RBC Capital Markets), Pathum Dissanayake (Azure Capital), and Riyaz Alam (Bloomberg). This section focused on the panellist’s individual career experiences, industry trends and senior advice for students
Networking
The event closed with open-floor networking with sponsor firm representatives over appetisers, granting students the opportunity to ask specific questions about recruitment processes
The Careers in Consulting Evening, held on Tuesday, 5 of August, at the University of Sydney’s CBD Campus, was FMAA’s inaugural collaboration with 180 Degrees Consulting and UNSW Consulting Club This new keynote aims to inform finance students of the consulting industry, understand recruitment pathways and connect directly with firm representatives. th
150 attendees 10 sponsors
Sponsors in attendance: Advancy Australia, Alpha FMC, Altman Solon, Alvarez & Marsal, BCG, Capgemini, McKinsey & Company, Oliver Wyman, Simon Kucher Partners, Visagio
The event began with a panel discussion between Angus Mcnee (Simon-Kucher), Fernando Munoz Taboada (Advancy Australia), and Ketan Mundhada (Alvarez & Marsal), who spoke about their learning experiences, career journeys and tips on navigating recruitment. This transitioned into an open networking session, where students gained the chance to meet firm representatives from 10 sponsor firms to ask direct questions and gain practical tips on how to stand out in the internship and graduate programme application process.
Held on Tuesday, the 16 of September, at The Refectory at the University of Sydney, the 2025 STEM Pathways Evening is a continued collaboration with SUDATA and COMM-STEM to offer finance students new insights into the emerging STEM field and its impacts on the financial industry. th
The evening featured two panels, where the finance representatives featured Claire Blattman (Macquarie), Angela Chen (Soul Patts), Sebastian Bajada (Azure Capital), and Angus Jenkins (Yarra Capital) The STEM panel hosted Matthew D’Cruz (CPA & Canva), Shae Mckenna (Apple), Ben Qiu (Atlassian), and Devendra Rathor (Amazon Web Services), who provided insights into how tech is transforming the Australian finance scene, alternate career pathways and internship and graduate programme tips.
The ESG Industry Insights Evening is the final event of the FMAA calendar, hosted on Thursday, 30 of October, at MacLaurin Hall in the University of Sydney. This keynote offered curious students the opportunity to learn about the evolving role of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in the financial services industry Over the past decade, ESG has become central to business strategy and decision-making, reshaping future potential career paths. th
The night started with a panel of industry professionals featuring Yaron Strachan (Investment Banking Analyst, Macquarie), Derryn Manwaring from Dimensional (Portfolio Manager, Dimensional) and Zara Baxby (Equity Research Analyst, Jarden), who delved into the multitude of impacts that ESG has across finance, natural resources, markets and our daily lives
Following the panel, students were able to network with representatives from the 9 sponsor firms in attendance over catering and drinks. During this session, students had meaningful conversations with sponsor representatives about early careers, ESG and financial services careers and more
FMAA hosts a range of educational initiatives tailored for students in the early stages of their studies, particularly those in pre-penultimate years These events provide valuable exposure to the diverse career pathways available within the finance and broader business sectors. Their core aim is to equip students with the knowledge and clarity needed to navigate and pursue opportunities across these industries.
February 21st
Held at the end of Welcome Week, FMAA’s annual Welcome Drinks is a fantastic opportunity for students to meet our committee and other enthusiastic students. This casual event allows students to ask questions about our recruitment process, and attendance is looked upon favourably
February 26th
The FMAA Welcome BBQ is a great way for new university students to connect with our current FMAA team members and ask questions about subcommittee and studying finance, over a sausage sizzle and refreshments
March 15th
First Year Fundamentals is an event tailored for younger university students who want to learn more about the finance industry and meet other students in their cohort The event shares useful tips on degree planning, commerce subjects, different sectors of the finance industry, and subcommittee recruitment.
May 8th
The Intern Speaker Panel offered insights into the recruitment process from experienced interns across investment banking, consulting, law, and trading. Students are able to learn insider tips on the internship application and interview process, and what top firms are looking for
September 2nd
The Refectory, Belinda Hutchinson Building, The University of Sydney
In collaboration with the Network of Women and BusinessOne, the Early Careers Workshop is helpful for pre-penultimate and penultimate students looking to stand out in the recruitment process. Students were able to hear from an experienced recruitment professional on how to build a personal brand, interviewing skills and networking opportunities.
October 23rd
FMAA’s inaugural Foundations of Financial Modelling presents students with an exclusive opportunity to learn how to model like an investment banker. Taught by seasoned industry professionals with experience from top investment banks, the event ran through the basics of how to build a financial model through an interactive case study.
First-year friendly
First-year friendly
Tailored events are firm-specific events hosted by the FMAA in collaboration with sponsor firms, and sometimes with other student societies. They are a valuable opportunity for students to connect with and understand firms in more depth, typically in peak recruitment season. Events span various formats, including interactive and virtual workshops, cocktail evenings, and networking sessions.
March 3rd
New Law Annex Lecture Theatre 024, The University of Sydney
In collaboration with the Network of Women, FMAA hosted Crescent Capital Partners’ Introduction to Private Equity The event started with a panel discussion, followed by an opportunity for students to network with representatives from a leading Australian private equity firm.
Stanton Road Partners: Navigating Through Private Equity Transactions
March 5th
This workshop was an exclusive opportunity for students to hear from Stanton Road’s experienced investment bankers, who delved into the lifecycle of a M&A transaction, day-to-day operations and what a sell-side process entails. Students were then able to network with Analysts, Associates and Managing Directors of the firm to gain first-hand insight into the industry and culture.
Investment Banking Development Challenge Workshop
April 15th
New
The Investment Banking Development Challenge Workshop consisted of an overview of the competition, a discussion around the day in the life of an investment banker, an open Q&A, and networking opportunities with UBS’ Global Banking representatives. The workshop was held in collaboration with UNIT Sydney.
Grant Samuel Women in Banking Breakfast
April 30th
Grant Samuel Sydney Office, Macquarie Tower
In recognition of the need for female representation in the finance sector, Grant Samuel’s breakfast event offers students the opportunity to gain insights and career tips regarding the corporate advisory industry, including recent transactions completed by the firm Students were granted the chance to meet some of Grant Samuel’s female leaders, who shared their career lessons
May 22nd
Grant Samuel Sydney Office, Macquarie Tower
Casino Night is one of the FMAA’s most unique and insightful info-sessions, gifting students the chance to network with Grant Samuel’s representatives over canapes and casino games while learning about its culture internships programmes and graduate roles.
June 2nd
Online (Zoom)
Citi’s Career Workshop features investment bankers and their tips and tricks on CVs and cover letters, interview tips and techniques, opportunities to work on a case study, and understanding what type of technical questions may be covered within a Citi interview. This was a ‘must attend’ event for anyone looking to apply for Citi’s summer internship program
June 25th
Nomura Sydney Office, Governor Phillip Tower
Nomura invited female university students graduating in December 2026 to join them for a networking night to discover what a career engaging with both Eastern and Western markets is like. The event informed students about Nomura’s culture and day-to-day operations.
June 25th
Jarden Sydney Office, Macquarie Tower
FMAA had the privilege of hosting Jarden’s Discover the Deals, which invited students to learn about the firm’s recent deals and the impact delivered by their talented Juniors. Founded in New Zealand, Jarden serves a diverse range of local and international clients across corporate advisory, capital markets, M&A, equities, research, fixed income, currencies and commodities.
July 15th Online (Zoom)
The FMAA nationally collaborated with our golden sponsor, Macquarie, to grant students an exclusive opportunity to attend a workshop on the valuation methodologies used in investment banking. With real-life examples and practical application, this workshop gave attendees an upper edge on technical questions for internship interviews and future case competitions.
August 5th Roundhouse, The University of New South Wales
As a leading corporate advisory firm specialising in M&A, Azure Capital invited FMAA members to attend a case study presentation on their advisory role in Morgan Stanley’s acquisition of a 49% stake in Mineral Resources’ private haul road. This was followed by a networking session over drinks at UNSW’s Roundhouse.
September 10th
Morgan Stanley Sydney Office, Chifley Tower
The Morgan Stanley Soft Skills Workshop was an inaugural partnership between USYD’s FMAA and REISA branches, designed to equip students with practical knowledge and strategies that will differentiate them from other applicants. The evening featured a panel discussion from recent analysts and a comprehensive walkthrough with the Head of Campus Recruitment.
October 7th Lecture Theatre 1130, Belinda Hutchinson Building, University of Sydney
The final tailored event of the FMAA calendar was Goldman Sachs’ information session, which aimed to give participants an insight into the global firm’s collaborative and apprenticeship culture, as well as their Summer Internship and Graduate recruitment programs The event consisted of an opening speech, panel discussion, Q&A and an open networking session
November 13th
Goldman Sachs Sydney Office, Governor Phillip Tower
Goldman Sachs Insights Day invited first to penultimateyear students from all disciplines and backgrounds to learn about their work culture and possible career opportunities through its Summer Analyst programs. The event featured an opening speech, followed by a panel discussion, and concluded with open-floor networking with Goldman Sachs members across different teams.
25th
Allegro Funds welcomed students to an evening to learn more about their firm and the private equity industry, where representatives discussed opportunities to join their firm through their internship programme and pathways to a graduate role The event also featured a walkthrough of a case study of a recent deal, covering acquisition, ownership and exit.
April 3rd
Dimensional Sydney Office, 1 Macquarie Place
This panel and networking event was aimed at demystifying what a career in investment management looks like, as expert panellists from diverse backgrounds shared their personal journeys within the field. The panel discussed what essential skills and traits are needed to succeed, which was then followed by open networking over light canapes and drinks
McKinsey & Company: Introduction to Private Capital
March 3rd
McKinsey Sydney Office, Aurora Place
The FMAA, in partnership with the global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company, invited students to an exclusive evening dedicated to learning about Private Capital like a McKinsey Business Analyst. The evening held a panel, interactive Q&A and a networking session with McKinsey representatives
April 30th
Kearney Sydney Office, MCA Building
Kearney hosted an in-person event, granting students the opportunity to learn more about the firm and their projects through a panel discussion and networking with some of their senior leadership and consultants. The event also outlined their interview tips and tricks for the Winter Internship application process.
CPA National Webinar: Accounting Myths Debunked
May 1st Online (Zoom)
On Thursday, 1st May, the FMAA hosted CPA’s annual national webinar, Accounting Myths Debunked, where students were able to hear from experienced industry professionals from diverse backgrounds as they gave their take on some of the common misconceptions surrounding the accounting industry.
March 11th Online (Zoom)
Wesfarmers invited students to a virtual information session to learn more about the firm, connect with representatives ahead of the graduate recruitment season, and gain valuable insights into the application process The session included a presentation about the company, its operations, and the role of the Business Development team, which was then followed by an interactive Q&A section in virtual breakout rooms
Case competitions provide an excellent platform to strengthen both research and presentation abilities, exposing students to diverse industries and problem-solving styles across fields such as management consulting, banking, and financial markets Each year, FMAA runs its annual Management Consulting Case Competition, designed to be especially accessible for first-year students
Citi Global Markets Challenge
April 11 – May 7 th th
The FMAA hosted the highly anticipated Citi Global Markets Challenge 2025, compelling students to step into the shoes of one of Citi’s dynamic Markets portfolio management teams. The first-place winner of the challenge was awarded a fast track to the Final Round (Superday) for the Citi Markets Summer Internship
May 5 – May 23
Propconnex’s Real Estate Case Competition focused on a deep dive into the fields of real estate financing, private equity, and development, getting competitors to deliver a compelling investment committee pitch to industry experts The competition offered a cash prize pool, and the winning national team received a fully-funded trip to compete in the Cornell International Case Competition
Crescent Capital Private Equity Case Competition
May 12th
The case competition allowed penultimate-year university students to showcase their investment acumen in the private equity space, getting teams to tackle a case and present their strategy and insights to Crescent Capital Partners’ experienced Investment Team. Topperforming teams and select individuals were fast-tracked to a final-round interview for their Winter Internship, with potential to secure a Graduate role
The 12 annual Boardroom Pitch, made possible by Macquarie Capital, gave competitors a unique insight into the life of an investment banker, as teams pitched to a board of experts and advised on a major recent M&A transaction The first-place prize for penultimate-year students was a first-round interview opportunity for the Summer Internship Program, and non-penultimate students gained a chance to be mentored by a Macquarie Capital representative. th May 16 – June 5 th
J.P. Morgan Investment Banking Case Competition
September 2 – September 24 nd th
The Investment Banking Case Competition gave prepenultimate students the opportunity to learn what it’s like to work on an M&A transaction and present their financial advice with Q&A to members of the J.P. Morgan Investment Banking Team. The winners were prioritised for the final round interviews for their Winter Internship.
September 10 – October 14 th th
FMAA proudly presented the Investing for the Future Case Competition, in collaboration with the Shared Value Project, for students to put their valuation and presentation skills to the test, gaining practical insights into the world of asset management. The unique competition challenged participants to consider how ESG performance can generate additional value.
Allegro Funds National Private Equity Case Competition
September 19 – October 8 th th
The Allegro Funds National Private Equity Case Competition required competitors to form groups of 3-4 to pitch a recommendation to an investment committee about a potential buyout. The winning team was awarded a cash prize of $2000, impressive competitors were invited to interview for an internship at Allegro Funds, and the best pre-penultimate team received coffee chats with a deal team member.
September 24 – October 16 th th
This year’s Management Consulting Case Competition was held in partnership with Kearney, getting students to test their skills and limits in tackling a business issue, whilst gaining hands-on experience into what the world of management consulting is like within the Kearney team. Campus winners from the FMAA branches competed against each other at the national finals for a cash prize
President: Jacinta Ma
Vice President (Operations): Aksara Sembu
Vice President (Sponsorship): Mary Tan
Secretary: Conor Milliken
Treasurer: Joanna Kong
External Relations Director: Emily Wu
Events Directors: Jenni Lin & Brandon Lam
Marketing Directors: Anna Lee & Natalie Duong
IT Director: Zachary Smith
Publications Director: Sophia Gao
People & Culture Director: Aryan Desai
Sponsorship Directors: Binglin Song, Hui Ern Lim, Connie Ni, Elyssa Chaaya, Jack Zhou, Joseph Lim, Joshua Zhang, Kevin Chen, Michelle Hong, Toby Mok
President: Brandon Lam
Vice President (Operations): Jenni Lin
Vice President (Sponsorship): Jack Zhou
Secretary: Mical Ma
Treasurer: Giri Karthigeyan
External Relations Director: Evangeline Tsang
Events Directors: Sophia Gao & Conor Milliken
Marketing Directors: Leah Teoh & Lucy Chen
IT Director: Stephanie La
Publications Director: Gwenaelle Le Bail
Competitions Director: Rebecca Ju
People & Culture Director: Helen Guo
Sponsorship Directors: Anna Lee, Aryan Desai, Connie Ni, Elyssa Chaaya, Emily Wu, Jerry Yuan, Joseph Lim, Joshua Zhang, Kevin Chen, Natalie Duong
Thank you for reading our 2025 Year in Review! Continuing the FMAA’s 36-year legacy as Australia’s leading finance society across our 6 national branches in the service of all our members has been an honour, and we are incredibly thankful for all your support Our goal for 2025 was to continue improving our value proposition for our members through new events for our first-year and pre-penultimate students, such as our Foundations of Financial Modelling Workshop, and broadening our industry offerings, seen through the introduction of our Careers in Consulting Evening.
For the coming year, our committee strives to sustain these efforts by strengthening our sponsor base and reaching students from a variety of degrees and academic fields. We hope to continue serving as your key touchpoint for networking, career development and financial education, while also introducing new events and publications that offer our members unmatched opportunities to grow and connect.
Once again, we would like to thank all members for their engagement and support throughout the year We hope FMAA has supported your career development and university journey, and we look forward to a bigger and better 2026!
Warm regards,
The Incoming 2026 FMAA Sydney Team
https://www.fmaa.com.au
sydney@fmaa.com.au
