Company: PwC
Date: 2008-11-05
Overall rating: 4/5
Employment status: current

experienced audit associate
Pros: PwC is a great place to start a career in accounting.  The learning curve is very steep during the first two years.  The firm has been able to manage the economic downturn quite well and has benefited from acquisitions that have taken place within the financial industry.  Acquisitions of WAMU and Merrill Lynch by clients JP Morgan Chase and BofA respectively, have allowed the firm to re-deploy resources and avoid layoffs.
Cons: Despite attempts by the firm to implement a "work/life balance", I don't see this ever happening.  Occasionally, engagement team leaders will allow team members to roll hours and take a day or two off after working 60+ hours a week.  However, work/life balance may improve slightly as you progress through the ranks (i.e. manager and above).  Many find it challenging to study and pass the CPA exam to while working at the firm; those who do pass the exam within the first year will receive a $5K bonus.  Also, benefits (i.e. retirement contributions by firm) could be improved upon.  The firm believes the benefits it offers are competitive, but I beg to differ.  From what I've seen there are many Fortune 1000 companies that offer much better benefits.  Other than the foregoing, there really aren't any other downsides to working with the firm.