Average to poor company but good social life - Pensions Investment Advisory KPMG Employee Review

2.0
3 Sept 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

One of the partners in the business is one of the most respected consultants in the world (and a great guy too!). Good benefits and social life. Don't have to work if you don't want to (like if you're preparing for interviews, or if you've had a heavy night).

Cons

The head of my department reminded me of David Brent. Except after he'd had a few drinks. Then he was more like Andy Gray. He was a HR disaster waiting to happen. He thought he was adored, but I rarely heard anyone say anything good about him. He talked a great game but he had no idea what he was doing, either as a manager or as an investment professional. KPMG is purely sales focused. Partners are rewarded for increasing revenue (not profits or quality of work) and are not remotely concerned with anything else. This flows through the company. Everyone is focused on doing what they need to do in order to get promoted. Clients are merely a means to this end. Promotions are done on a "first-come-first-served" basis. There is no distinction for ability or performance. You take your ticket and wait to be called. Predictably, the business has lost a lot of talent as individuals have passed their exams and moved on. KPMG is an audit firm and you will be rewarded in line with the performance of the audit business, irrespective of how your business has done. Excellence does not exist in KPMG (one or two individuals excepted).

Explore other reviews about KPMG

5.0
23 Mar 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great team and people at home

Cons

Not enough time in rotations but good engagement

4.0
7 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great general benefits however not as good as it was when I first started at the firm 11 years ago. Firm used to provide better employee incentives but no longer provides. Employee experience all depends on who you report to and work with. Some have great experiences, while others are completely over-worked.

Cons

Let go during RIF. When I started with the firm back in 2015, RIF's didn't occur much but now has become the normal once a year at minimum at KPMG. You must be on top of you game now (high performance culture) otherwise can be let go at any moments notice. Unfortunately if you do amazing on your engagement work, doesn’t mean anything to leadership and can still be let go, especially at manager level and requires you to put many additional hours per week doing extra curricular (Business Proposals, Certifications, etc.).

2
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All