Company: EY
Date: 2008-09-21
Overall rating: 4/5
Employment status: current

Overall satisfied
Pros: The firm offers flexibility and  interesting career opportunities. We have the ability to work on different types of engagements and different types of clients. 
Moreover, E&Y has started a people-focus strategy a few years ago. It started putting a lot of emphasis on its people needs: hiring, training, work-life balance. This strategy has started to pay off as E&Y has won numerous accolades in the press. As I discuss with recruiters, prospective students, or interns, they all confirm that E&Y perception is that of a firm that places a lot of emphasis on its people, which makes it an attractive firm to work for.
Cons: While I am overall satisfied working with Ernst & Young, the following could be improved. Travel can be excessive at times (40 - 50%). It is an accounting and consulting firm therefore we have to go where the client goes. I don't think that something could be done but it is good to be aware of the travel requirements, knowing that ones attitude ay change throughout the years (recent hire vs 10 years into ones career).
 Another drawback of working for E&Y is the sales pressure, which significantly increases  in recessionary environment; in other words, sales pressure is the most intense when most of our client are distressed and have little discretionary budget for consultants. This contributes to stress, and sometimes undue competition or tension with one's peers as everybody seems to be competing for the same projects/clients/...