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Dimensional Fund Advisors

Engaged Employer

Honest to a fault company, but stagnant and low wages - Anonymous employee Dimensional Fund Advisors Employee Review

2.0
Oct 17, 2015
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Company is honest to a fault. Their index products are very low fees and arguably have better exposure to the market factors that produce outsized returns over time. It is run extremely efficiently, a lean company, and costs are cut ruthlessly to ensure investors pay low fees.

Cons

Not a good place to start work if you have ideals for change and want to make significant impact. Not entrepreneurial and discourages creativity. Financial advisers were recently over-hired and so there is lack of meaningful work to go around. Portfolio management is a misnomer, call it glorified operational management doing repetitive tasks. Salaries are below industry average, especially at the portfolio management level or post-MBA level (150k). Bonuses effectively nonexistent. Nearly impossible to advance to middle management without an MBA.

Explore other reviews about Dimensional Fund Advisors

5.0
Jun 29, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Excellent place to work. Many employees have been here several years. Team strategy aligns well with company goals. Technology teams are constantly reviewing better ways to use technology and provide learning opportunities for new skills, frameworks, and languages.

Cons

Not much to say here.

5.0
May 18, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Co-CEO Gerard O’Reilly always says, “Do the right thing, the right way, right away.” This is more than a mantra at DFA. These are good people, some of the smartest in the industry, and their bar is excellence. People sometimes joke about “drinking the DFA koolaid”. Here’s the koolaid: DFA doesn’t slap lipstick on a pig just to push product. DFA actually believes (and has been around long enough to prove) that you can lead with education, and IF your investment offering is genuinely good, the assets will naturally follow. Theirs is. What ex employee critics have said: “DFA moves too slow.” Fails to mention the likes of how DFA just led the industry with an absolute machete hacking thru the regulatory and operational jungle to pave a path for active share class for the good of investors. First filing? DFA. First to launch? DFA. Fast where it counts. “DFA doesn’t fund platforms for sales!” Indeed, would make life easier in some Sales channels, but would also impose more cost burden on end investors, so... The reality: Those who dance are considered insane by those who hear not the music. The firm, the philosophy, the people- all impressive. It has been one of the privileges of my career to work at Dimensional.

Cons

Hmm well the main grievance amongst the employee office committee was the insufficiency of the breakroom selection comprised of only of creamer, whole milk, 2%, and almond milk. I only hope the egregious omission has been remedied in the months since my departure and coconut milk added to said selection.

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