Company: PwC
Date: 2021-02-26
Overall rating: 3/5
Employment status: former
Experience level: Confirmed

Offers great career opportunities but at the cost of work-life balance
Pros: Brilliant exam support through the tax learning & development team, flexwork policy specific to accounting / tax exams in advance of study leave. 
Continuous training re. people skills & tax technical knowledge.
Opportunities to work on large clients and complex projects. 
Approachable people including at the most senior levels, for the most part.
Good support available for people through the coach / appraiser and partner 'buddy' systems.
There is a willingness to invest in you and your career - partner 'buddy' system in place to have career discussions with people at the most senior levels - openness to facilitate secondments in Ireland / abroad, and career breaks/time off to travel after exams.
Great social events.
Cons: Very difficult to have work-life balance as you progress toward Manager level and above. It is acknowledged as an issue and there is a flex work policy in place at all levels that has somewhat helped. But at the end of the day the workloads are significant and can be relentless at times - as is the nature of the Big 4.

No access to the firm's pension plan - regardless of level - until you are 30. Ongoing issue for most employees under 30 who can be anything up to Senior Manager level, i.e. 8-9 years with the firm and no access to pension. You are provided a contact to set up a PRSA but there is no willingness to lower the age limit for entry to the pension plan.