Could be the best job in the world if they only knew how to treat their people... - Transaction Advisory Services EY Employee Review

2.0
19 June 2010
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Best thing of working for EY is not necessarily to EY's credit: generally speaking, working for a Big 4 gives you exposure to the world's best and largest companies and the complex challenges (along with the competitive environment) forces you to be on top of your game. Training is also very good, but again, something you'll see in all Big 4.

Cons

The typical "People First" talk is also common in all Big 4 and it's usually nothing but a marketing gimmick. However, EY leadership is unbelievably out of touch with its people. During the downturn, I saw people being laid off after the firm asked them to relocate. Leadership does not know how to deal with crisis. Partners went on panic mode during the crisis - literally - losing control of people and temper. Partners abandoned the ship and adopted a "save yourself" culture - e.g. they charged hours they never worked to keep their utilization high while challenging engagement economics. They had plans for everything: 30-day plan, 60-day plan, 90-day plan, pushed them all downstream with a "get it done or else" attituted, got none of them completed (as they were baseless), and again showed complete lack of ability to deal with crisis. Vacations are often not honored or they are approved at the very last minute. In many cases, you are asked to work while on vacation. Pay is low for all we do. Promotion raises are the same as any other raise although you receive a small bonus. They have these small spot bonuses (i.e. $100 gift certificate) which are supposed to be used to motivate people. However, partners hold on to them the entire fiscal year to manage their budget. Then all of a sudden, in the last two months of the fiscal year, they realized they haven't given any and start distributing them for no reason. Yes, it's always good to get a couple of hundred bucks but when they are clearly given just to show that the partners "care" and without any true meaning, it's hard to feel good about them.

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5.0
21 June 2026
Anonymous intern
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Amazing work culture I love it

Cons

I wouldn't say anything honestly

5.0
21 Feb 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

1. You will have a very hard time not falling in love with every single person you meet there. 2. Seriously, you will meet your soul mate(s) there. 3. Prestigious and looks great on the resume. 4. Your brain will grow a thousand times more powerful. 5. Forces you to conquer your fear of public speaking. 6. Fun team bonding and lifelong friends. 7. Stepping stone to high paying jobs. 8. Helps you work on perfecting your charm. You will learn from the most charming people how to really get people to like you. 9. HR really cares. 10. Big support network (IT, creative services, etc.). 11. Teaches you to be calm and in control.

Cons

OK, I'm going to be discussing all the taboo things, and there are a lot of them. In spite of these cons, I still admit it's worth a five star rating. 1. High performers are "designated" (you have very little control over your rating) by the partner group (can be a pro if you get selected. Seriously, I have worked with some of the supposed "fives" and they are not any different than my threes and fours. 2. Quality is extremely low. Sometimes I felt like I was working at McDonalds and not a professional services firm. The emphasis is on getting through work as fast as possible and expectations for quality are not realistic. 3. EY has a very hard time firing bad employees. If you get stuck with one it can be a nightmare. 4. EY has a heavy emphasis on wasting time. For example, there are lots and lots of checklists which have no value that you have to fill out. Also, they wasted money and time on creating "Canvas" which is literally slower and more awkward than the previous workspace tool, GAMX. There is a heavy emphasis on "reinventing the wheel" and fixing problems that aren't broken with even worse solutions. Instead of wasting money on useless tools, that money could have been spent on your employees in the form of compensation. Like I said, EY is really focused on attempting to look as though value is being created when in fact it is not. 5. Lots of meetings. Appearances are very important. 6. Employees on global 360 accounts get better treatment. 7. Some employees (executives mostly) tend to overemphasize how important this work is. Let's face it, if it was really glorious work then we would have action figures. 8. Looks are very important. Seriously, if you are a girl, you will get promoted based on how hot you are (the quality of your work is largely unimportant). If you are a guy, you are treated a little better but there is still a sexist undercurrent in the environment. This is advice you won't get from HR obviously, but that doesn't mean it isn't true. 8. You will be forced to eat hours. 9. Your ethical compass will start to get weaker. 10. You will get a little cynical. 11. Lots of driving and travel. 12. "Family men" and married couples with children are more likely to be promoted. If you want to be a partner, you have to be married (few exceptions). 13. You will work on vacations. 14. Loss of relationships with family and friends. 15. Some backstabbing and credit-stealing (but not very common). 16. Comp is below market but that's to be expected. 17. Employee retention is not something management is interested in. This makes you replaceable and expendable (yes even as a manager, unless you have been "designated" as a high performer by the partner group).

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