Company: PwC
Date: 2017-12-01
Overall rating: 4/5
Employment status: former
Experience level: Junior

IFS
Pros: - Amazing resources
- Stress about firm budget very rarely impacts employees (versus smaller firms, who very tightly monitor expenses, travel, software investments, etc.) which really allows you to focus on giving your best
- Work perks abound, including health perks, gifts, and spot bonuses
- Though it is very hierarchal, depending on your group you can contribute ideas and have them move very quickly into reality
- Amazing work experience; you sink or swim, but if you're swimming, you're learning so much so quickly and really are enabled to be at the top of your field
- Cell phone paid for, which is wonderful with the expectation of periodic messages outside of hours...I don't think it's fair when other firms expect you to distribute your personal number and install a bunch of work-related apps on your personal phone
- If you can find time to take PTO, it's a lot easier to find support covering your projects than it is at smaller firms
- Colleagues are incredibly smart
- Good benefits and excellent holiday/leave policies
- Recently brought all of the member firms throughout all the countries together, operating as one PwC, which was long overdue
Cons: - Long hours, especially working with international teams
- Expectation is extremely high--perform not only at the top of your game, but find new ways to contribute with side projects and innovation ideas
- The new "Snapshot" reviews that replaced previous annual review papers is easier to navigate, but does not capture year-to-year growth between career reviews; you essentially start over every year arguing your value (as opposed to leaders being able to see 2+ years  of steady contribution and accolades)
- IFS (internal firm services) professionals are mostly second class citizens, and will never have the earning power or the opportunities of a client-facing professional
- Tendency is to reward through cash or gift card spot bonuses, instead of upping salary--which never keeps anyone happy for long
- Limited advancement opportunities with some groups in IFS
- Work environment is better than most, but still favors men and has a persistent boys' club atmosphere at times
- Annual reviews are frustratingly not transparent; you have no place at the table to discuss your case if you're hoping for a raise or advancement--results are just told to you after the fact
- Like all of the Big 4 and most big business, it's a very political environment