Company: EY
Date: 2018-08-18
Overall rating: 1/5
Employment status: current
Experience level: Junior

Anxiety, Depression, Chest Pains: Apply Within
Pros: 1. Big 4 experience which other employers seek
2. $5K bonus for passing the CPA; Becker study materials paid for
3. $60 per month towards cell phone and annual gym subsidy
Cons: 1. If you're looking for a degrading role with minimal training, a poor culture, and long hours (75-80 during busy season / 50+ rest of the year), then EY Denver is the place for you.  
2. Be prepared to order lunch for your team.  If you felt your days as a waiter were over, EY brings you back to your roots.
3. 401(K) matching is minimal and pathetic.  The firm advertises a 25% match but if you read the fine print, it is a 25% match on your contribution of 6%.  Translation = a 1.5% "match" which vests over a 5 year period.  Do yourself a favor and pay off your student loans before enrolling in the firms 401(K) plan.
4. Although you may have a master's degree and passed the CPA, the job is entirely administrative.  A sophomore in high school would be able to perform the Staff 1/2 role at EY. The job requires zero creativity nor is thought-provoking.
5. EY does not pay their Staff employees a bonus.  All of those extra hours and weekends given up during busy season will not translate to an extra penny.  In fact, the firm has a policy that Staff employees are ineligible for any bonus.  Charming.
6. Your most important relationship as a staff is with your senior.  Unfortunately the majority of seniors at EY are out-of-control stressed as the engagement is likely running over budget and behind schedule.  Seniors often take their frustration out on their staff with back-stabbing performance reviews as opposed to giving constructive feedback early and often.
7. The feedback process is completely flawed.  The firm does not permit 360 feedback (meaning that staff employees cannot review their seniors) so the messaging is completely one-sided.
8. The office environment is awkward and sad.  Employees rarely engage with one-another and this likely is a result of the elephant in the room: everyone is miserable, overworked, and looking forward to future employment opportunities beyond EY. 
9. Did I mention the hours?  You'll also went to get used to a senior excusing you daily from the job at inconsistent and often late times.  Think of it being in detention in middle school when a disgruntled employee dismisses you for the day.  And guess what, you'll do the exact same thing the day after, and after, and after...
10. The firm's leadership  is comprised of out-of-shape,  white male partners.  I believe our office just promoted its first woman as a partner which may put the ratio at 15-1.  Hooray diversity!
11. See 1-10 above.