Company: EY
Date: 2010-06-25
Overall rating: 3/5
Employment status: current

Typical Big 4 Situation - Long Hours and Minimal Pay
Pros: If you are looking to work for one of the Big 4 in Atlanta, Ernst & Young is the place to be.  E&Y Atlanta has the market share and the majority of the high profile clients.  There is great opportunity to gain exposure to multiple clients and industries.  If you know what you are getting into and are willing to "pay your dues," this place is for you.  E&Y looks great on your resume and will help when attempting to move out of public.
Cons: Compensation is a huge issue here.  Employees are over-worked and under-paid.  Turnover is high at the Senior level, as clients or other private companies tend to have better overall compensation and more work/life balance, especially after having 3-4 years of experience. Work/life balance can be a struggle for a lot of people at the firm if they happen to work with the wrong people or the wrong industry. Overall, people, on average, tend to work more than their counterparts outside of public accounting and this is something that probably will never go away until you make partner.  Incentives to be better than peers are non-existent (until you reach the soon-to-be-partner level), aside from a pat on the back.