Company: Deloitte
Date: 2011-02-22
Overall rating: 2/5
Employment status: former

Audit Internship: Your Entire Life For 10 Weeks
Pros: -World renown brand with exposure to a variety of world-class clients
-The ability to travel, if desired
-Offices in virtually every major US market, which makes transferring possible
-Competitive benefits and pay (compared to other Big Four firms): medical, dental, fitness reimbursements, discount programs (cars, electronics, etc.)
-Structured feedback/evaluations, which clearly highlight performance and firm standards/goals
-Competent coworkers and management
-Numerous out-of-office events and functions
-Various branches (FAS, AERS, Consulting, etc.) allow for the possibility of changing careers within the same firm
Cons: -Long hours (typically `60hr weeks; Mon-Fri 8:00AM-10:00PM, Sat 9:00AM-4:00PM): these are standard hours for Big Four firms, but teams often treat this timeframe as a hard and fast rule, rather than permit employees to leave when tasks are finished.
-Virtually no work/life balance as a result of long hours. Even after speaking with employees with 4-5yrs of experience, they hardly have a chance to use their generous vacation time. 
-Almost no employees I have encountered at the firm enjoy their jobs (except HR, perhaps). Those that do are addicted to work (often using it as an escape from their families) and place making money as a top (often, sole) priority. 
-Having a family (and actually being a present, invested part of it) in Public Accounting is hardly possible unless you have 8-10yrs of experience