We see from David Reilly from the Wall Street Journal that PricewaterhouseCoopers has revealed one of its longest and best-kept secrets?
How much money do PwC partners really make?
This happens to be a WSJ and a Big Four first!...
Saturday, March 24, 2007
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51 comments:
Before people rush to judgment, think about the annual compensation of investment bankers and lawyers. You would quickly conclude that Big 4 Partner compensation, on average, gets nowhere near those levels. And then ask yourself when the last time an investment banker got sued,or when a lawyer got sued because of a deal gone bad or a company fraud caused by lying management. You can be assured the Anderson partners have a view.
Also, in the Big 4, the compensation for Partners is basically just cash. There are no real benefit plans or "perks". For example, all the Big 4 partners have to pay for their own medical premiums. As people form conclusions, they should go check out the new proxy statements are being published during March and April. You will find very expanded disclosures of compensation paid to management of public companies. You will be amazed at what executives really "earn" each year, and if things go bad (or if there is a change of control) what the "payoff" will be. Partners in a Big 4 Firm have none of those protections, and earn nowhere near what the CFO of a medium to big sized public company earns. S
Who said anything about investment banking??? First it is more difficult to get those kinds of jobs. Second the lifestyle is a lot worse - you will work way more hours on a continual basis. By the way, lawyers get sued all the time! It just doesn't seem like it because they are supposed to know the law. Also, when you're making a half a million dollars paying a few hundred a month for insurance just isn't a big deal. I am not saying being a big four partner is a dream job at all, I just don't see why you are so negative on this.
One last thing, the $650K number was average per partner but some make way more than the rest. I am sure the ones at the top make a lot. Also, the partners that are in financial advisory probably make a lot more than the audit/tax partners. If not they would go work for an investment bank doing the same thing, just making more.
I hate the Big Four. They are the devil.
If you want to have your life and self worth sucked away in a hurry, the Big 4 is the way to go.
I love the Big 4. I would like to work for them soon. I don't value my free time or time with family.
Miao,
If you don't love your free time PwC is the best option. I worked there for several years...and all I got was frustration, psychological problems and fatness!
Call me ten years from now, and I want to see how you are doing!
Miao,
I hope you think before you leap.
I sure hope I did. When you work for Big 4, you live and breathe Big 4.
In any case, good luck with your decision.
I am not sure where most of these ignorant comments are coming from - ignorant by definition means "lack of knowledge." First, there are few companies you can work for and get paid six figures in under 5 years - actually, as a percentage, you will not see that most anywhere. Second, if you hate working at a Big 4, you probably were an under-performer, also the reason you no longer work there.
Lastly, MOST C-level positions have poor compensation due to economic conditions - many made out well through the early 90's, but the Big 4 partners are still making the cash providing services to the companies that have been struggling - they reap the benefits of those companies paying big dollars for their problems - the Big has none of that exposure and Limited expsosure as LLPs. Lastly, Big 4 positions are the most HIGHLY demanded jobs by corporate America - why, because you get the most experience in the Big 4 versus sitting in same cube everyday getting your 0-3% corporate raises.
I am not sure where most of these ignorant comments are coming from - ignorant by definition means "lack of knowledge." First, there are few companies you can work for and get paid six figures in under 5 years - actually, as a percentage, you will not see that most anywhere. Second, if you hate working at a Big 4, you probably were an under-performer, also the reason you no longer work there.
Lastly, MOST C-level positions have poor compensation due to economic conditions - many made out well through the early 90's, but the Big 4 partners are still making the cash providing services to the companies that have been struggling - they reap the benefits of those companies paying big dollars for their problems - the Big has none of that exposure and Limited expsosure as LLPs. Lastly, Big 4 positions are the most HIGHLY demanded jobs by corporate America - why, because you get the most experience in the Big 4 versus sitting in same cube everyday getting your 0-3% corporate raises.
I met plenty of bright people who hated the Big4. I don't see the correlation between hating it and underperforming. People do slave away there for many reasons, you know. It seems to me that ignorant are those who who do not really understand the effects that the Big4 lifestytle has on thousands of people every year. A 15% attrition rate is not normal. Only ignorants do not understand this.
For lawyers: for associates last year in private law firms was 78 percent for those who had worked at firms for about five years. The average annual attrition rate for all associates last year was 19 percent in 2005.
Just some comparison ;-)
It is true, the Big 4 DO suck the life out of you. I hold a dear place in my "heart" for one in particular. The only free time I had there was when I was forced to hang out with inebriated partners and managers for meals (supposedly a treat), while they bragged about how wonderful they were and how much money they make... Often they get drunk, act foolish, then return to work to burn midnight oil and prepare tax returns! What a life?
Really smart people are smart enough not to work for Big 4 firms, or in the accounting industry all together. My starting salary as an attorney is $160,000. In 5 years, I'll be taking home close to a quarter mil per. I earned my master's degree in accounting and learned first hand about the mechanical, robotic slave labor of an auditor at KPMG. What a joke of a "profession." The compensation, the hours, the quasi intellectual people, and the terribly unrewarding work (it foots! yay!)...what a great package.
From Anonymous to Anonymous, I couldn't have said it better myself. The work is unrewarding, the people are quasi-intellectual (though they think higher of themselves...), the hours are ridiculous, and the compensation is not even in the ballpark of reasonable. In fact, that is why there are so many class action lawsuits against PwC right now (started in Canada, working their way into California now...). People are fed-up with working 10+ hours of overtime every week and not being paid overtime as the LAW states they must! Of course, the Big 4 say that the overtime is "built in" to your starting salary, but that is bunk, and makes the compensation seem even worse! Thanks for being honest and good luck with your law career!!!!
I am a CPA and a CMA and worked in a Managerial position with a Big4. I worked in advisory practice for about two years. Professionally I knew and did better than many directors I came across. However, I realized, the performance review being used to belittle and ultimately let me down in my resolve to make a career with the firm. To my chagrin, I found a director level guy, whose only qualification besides the Bachelor of Arts that he possessed was his British accent, hence perceived to have been “loved’ by clients, giving false review of my performance. Of course, bulk of innovative ideas and suggestions that were presented while on the engagement flowed from my laptop! In the end, the guy as the engagement manager gave a false review of my performance over six months after the work was completed, at the instigation of the Partner. The firm paid me out extra few months or so, as it did not have a verifiable “low performer” case against me. The point is, we get enamoured of the half a mil and up that partners make at Big4. However, more than what you know knowledge-wise, whom you suck up to and how bright & far sighted the Partner is decides one’s fate and progress.
I am sorry to hear of your negative experience and invalid performance reviews. I know EXACTLY where you are coming from with regard to having to kiss up and the fact that your actual work is not what is really appreciated--been there. In fact, my disdain for kissing up is exactly why I am not there any more! I had a manager who picked at me in performance reviews for mistakes that were hers! All I can say to anyone out there is "caveat emptor" if you decide on signing up with one of these firms. In my opinion, PwC is the worst. I was even propositioned by a partner when he was talking about having threesomes with his "spouse" and "other willing participants." Apparently, he did this to keep the spark alive in a 20+ year relationship!? Needless to say, I declined the offer, and then immediately became suspect (as if I was not being cooperative). Yes, there has been legal issue made of this--that is sexual harassment! Outcome still pending... But I can not get over how they always harped on how "professional" they are, when I encountered such "smut" and despicable behavior during my "time" there (it was like prison).
If you do sign up with them, know what you are getting into before hand, and don't be surprised if/when they blind-side you. Unfortunately, for people like us, it is too late. We did not know what we were getting into, but at least we are here being honest, and hopefully, helping others avoid the same mistake...
Strange you should mention your performance review being spurned on by a partner... Same thing happened to me at PwC.
Partners DO initiate that kind of thing...everyone is their minion, and must do their bidding. And of course, if a senior or manager does not like you, they can do the same thing to you on in their own.
Bottom line: when working for such a firm, make sure to kiss EVERYONE'S bottoms! If you like having a brown-nose, and don't mind contact with everyone's fecal matter, it is a great career! Not!
"Too bad I can't use people's names here, because some of them need to be exposed for who and what they are!"
Trust me, those partners are NOT suffering financially. In fact, the horrendous amount of wasted time, work being duplicated and constantly started over, lead me to believe that they are running a scam on their clients. I kid you not! I know of high profile clients who overpaid taxes, and paid a lot more than they should have for work that was being done by a bunch of "kids" there who had no clue what they were doing. Thus, they messed up continually, reinvented the wheel about a million times, and then simply charged the clients for their wonderful professional services!
I remember having a group lunch with a PwC Partner in Atlanta. His main topic of discussion to "draw in the new recruits" was to ask, "Guess how much money a partner makes?" (pull my finger, come on, pull it! LOL). I responded by stating I am more interested in how much a new hire, associate, makes... Needless to say, my comment was not well received. He went on to say that some partners make upwards of a million, and it all depends upon many factors... most make half that... But none of them are starving, for sure! And they all think VERY highly of themselves--they think they are very cultured and sophisticated... LOL :-) I can honestly say that you can take the trash out of the dump, but you can never make it smell any better...it will always be trash.
I hated PwC and their holier than though, self-righteous, hypocritical attitude towards people. They preach professionalism at all times, then they act in the complete opposite manner. For instance, how professional is it to be propositioned (for a threesome!) by a partner when you are at a lower level on the totem pole? Hmmm, do you say yes and keep your job? Do you say no, because that is disgusting? The answer is obvious, but the fact that people there get away with as much as they do is simply amazing. I hate to say it, but PwC takes the proverbial cake when it comes to lack of professionalism! God help anyone who works there! You will not be judged based upon the quality of your work, you will be judged based upon how well you kiss up and how much dignity you are willing to part with!
PwC is at it again...since they realized I was publicly telling the truth about them, they are planning "special" gifts for people who go to their booth at my university's career fair. Have they no shame?
They are so understaffed, that if enough brilliant young people decide to turn them down on "offers" (of practical slavery), they will collapse like Arthur Anderson. I think that would do a GREAT service to the industry as a whole, and get some of those strange, unprofessional, sex-crazed partners to a point where they will have to actually "WORK" for a living again (not just take advantage of poor college students desperate for a jump-start of their careers, or a resume builder).
Take that, PwC. You will be falling sooner than you think. Mark my words, I know what I am talking about, and you do, too! (scares ya, huh?)
I really want to take PwC down. I left the firm after signing a liability release form, and three months later I get a letter from collections for $500. I was leaving for the Peace Corps in a few days, but they didn't want to resolve it. After fighting to get past the wall called HR Shared Services, I explained my case but they sent me to collections anyway and doubled the amount. They have violated the law by doing so, and they are taking advantage of the fact that I am an individual. PwC stands as a corporation so decentralized that no one takes responsibility for anything, unless it is a success of course and everyone wants a piece of that. Please, if you are a potential candidate for this firm, ask yourself- do you want to be treated this way? Or if you have to leave a place of employment would you rather go with warm goodbyes from friendly faces rather than a stack of paperwork (that gets "lost" later) and a collection of your ID tag?
I am with you on that... Don't worry, the bigger they are, the harder they fall. PwC is not too much longer for this world. They actually played a role in this economic crisis as well, and that will be coming out soon... Down with PwC!
Most of the people on this blog are a bunch of losers with a bad case of sour grapes who couldn't hack it in a tough business environment whether it's the big 4 or corporate. I work in a big four firm and I have to say life is good. Smart and ambitious people to work with and thanks to s404 the money has been unbelievable. Let the good times roll.I like making 7 figures a year plus that big fat pension is waiting for me.
To the person who says the people here are sour grape losers, I must say you are simply wrong. You are just one of those people who is going to have your wake up call later than most of us. I wish you luck, and hope that making your '7 figures' is really worth it in the long run. Remember, you can't take it with you when you die! Moreover, before you judge these people, you might want to ask yourself where we have worked and what our experiences are. Many of us are quite successful, and have handled the corporate world quite well. So in other words, shove it (or sit on it and rotate, if you prefer). If you love PwC so much, you are obviously one of their cronies, and are incapable of having an intelligent discussion because you are biased.
Ha ha, yeah, this joker is full of it. If you are making 7 figures, you are one of the people up at the top who are part of the problem! People here are posting about PwC breaking laws! (sexual harassment, discrimination, etc...) and ALL you can do is put them down and say your life is good and you love your money...
That says volumes about who you are as a human being. Not to be too crass, but I don't care how much money you make, if someone puts a gun in your face and pulls the trigger (just hypothetically speaking...), you will surely die. You are mortal, like everyone else, and no matter how cocky you want to be, your time will come one day just like everyone elses. When that happens, I hope your soul is not the way it is now, because you will be answering to a higher power...
This guy is just scared because he knows that PwC is teetering right now on the edge of SO many lawsuits, and valid accusations of immoral business practices, that his "big buck" paychecks are going to end sooner than he'd like. HE/SHE (could be a woman, sorry, don't mean to discriminate...) is one of the people who participates in creating the kind of hell that many younger people, NOT making 7 figures, have to tolerate when they work at PwC... You make your money off the hard-working kids you recruit--you take away the best years of their lives, working them to death, while promising them wonderful futures full of money and bliss. What a racket. When PwC falls, we will all be praying for you and yours...Remember, ANY big company or firm is ever only one good news story away from failure. And I doubt that the US taxpayers will be willing to bail PwC's bottom out!
Last two posts. Like I said. Sour grape whiners.
"And I doubt that the US taxpayers will be willing to bail PwC's bottom out!"
No way the government will ever let another firm go out of business. And certainly not one that audits 35% of the Fortune 1000. It's not going to happen. The government have shown that the capital markets are too important. So don't hold your breath.
Don't be so sure about that...the government can't keep bailing everyone out. Moreover, if it is proven that PwC has not lived up to "due diligence," it is a done deal...
This "sour grapes" whiner would love to meet with you in person and show you just how mortal you are...Are you up to the challenge? Your 7 figure salary doesn't make you any better than anyone else, and certainly can't protect you from me! Please provide your name so I can add you to my list of people who need to pay the piper...
It is plain and simple. PwC is too big for its britches. They are huge, powerful, rich, and think they can get away with doing anything they like, and treating people terribly bad. Their culture is shockingly strange, shallow, unfair and predictable. They pride themselves in falsehoods they advertise, proclaiming how wonderful they are, etc... Well, it is simply not true. They throw their weight around as if they are "God." Again, they "get away with it." But not for long. This too, will come to an end. I may not live to see it, but trust me, where there is smoke, there is fire, and people like this guy who thinks he is so great because he makes 7 figures are the exact reason they are going to collapse. See, MOST people in this country work hard, and are humble. People like this 7 figure guy, think it is alright to be an arrogant jerk, and brag about how well they are doing by taking advantage of others. Laughing at the fact that this firm of "professionals" treats some of its people terribly, ruins their lives, etc...is just plain wrong. And it is not what this country is about. The meek shall inherit the Earth, it is true. And people like him will be called to judgment.
If PwC's contribution to the economic crisis becomes serious enough to make them collapse (it should, on top of all the other fraud, and complaints against them...), you'd better bet that the government will not bail them out! We are the government, and the taxpayers have had enough of this! These people are going to get what they deserve, and believe me, PwC falling on its face would be a blip on the radar when you consider all the other crap going on in the entire world right now. In fact, MANY people are calling for the Big 4 to be broken up anyhow. They are too powerful, and too dangerous. They need to GO, and let smaller firms form so that things can be more balanced... It is coming...
PwC paid the SEC 97.5 million dollars in fines because they knew about AIG's bid-rigging scheme and all the other issues there, yet still gave them unqualified audit opinions. Hmmmm, now the federal government is considering (or already has) hired them and E&Y to help handle the $700 Billion bailout.
What is WRONG with this picture? How can they continue to get away with this kind of thing, year after year (ie. the Mutual of NY scandal, etc...) and nobody is going to prison? Where is the rule of law in our nation?
This is simply disgusting.
The Big Four is not a bad place to start a career. You do get a variety of work experiences to draw upon to decide which "industry" is best for you. It is certainly not a place I would want to work for the long haul however. The people are largely arrogant, insecure and jealous of other professionals who consistently outearn them.
By the way Mr. 7 figure guy (you arrogant #@%&), I left PWC years ago, make well over a million dollars a year, have equity in a business that drawfs your pension and haven't had to work a weekend in years. There are plenty others like me. Did I say that I'm also in my early 40's and plan to retire at least a decade before you will since you are required to stay until "X" age.
And even those who are not as fortunate and lucky as I have been enjoy a quality of life you can only dream of.
You are such a sap.
OUCH !
The majority of these comments are moronic. Some of these anecdotes, if true, are disturbing. However, it is incredibly naive and stupid to extrapolate your view of a large organisation's culture based on a single, negative experience.
I currently work at PwC (towards the bottom of the totem pole) and thoroughly enjoy the experience. The people are smart, hard-working and are a lot of fun to be around. The comments about the incredible working hours sound like sour grapes and / or complete exageration. I work very hard, but that is my choice. Other people in my team do not because that is their choice. PwC is a great workplace and the other posters should rethink their moronic slander.
With all due respect, if you are at the bottom of the totem pole, you might get a wake-up call sooner (rather than later) which will have you singing a different tune. After a while there, you will start to see the truth.
Like the other kind poster said, the Big 4 are not a bad place to start out a career. But over the long haul, not so great...
Indeed, these postings are not based upon "one bad experience." There are a large number of people out there who have had similar nightmares... PwC takes the cake--there are things going on there which I can not even post publicly because there really could be lawsuits.
Again, just the AIG scandal (among myriad others!) is enough to sour many. I am still in shock that PwC was allowed to buy its way out of this one! People really SHOULD be going to prison. Laws were knowingly broken, end of discussion. If everything had been 'hunky dory,' PwC would not have opened its wallet to the tune of $97.5 MILLION to make the SEC back off...
I have one word that can adequately describe PwC: Corrupt.
Yeah, it is not slander if it is true! But there is a line that cannot be crossed--ie. if someone has AIDS, it is not your business to go out and tell the world...that would be slander.
Also, we are not allowed to use people's names (unless they are public figures). I could list at least two seniors, two partners, and a manager here, and it could ruin their careers/reputations (and cause a lawsuit that nobody needs--but I would probably win!)...
Alas, I would not stoop to the level they did! They played games with me and my career, but there are other ways they can pay retribution--when they least expect it, it WILL be coming! They know who they are, and they KNOW I am watching them...
PS: All they (the people I WISH I could list here--believe me, they read this, and know who they are!) would have to do is come clean to me, and apologize for their lack of professionalism and nasty, backstabbing, dishonest ways. I doubt it would ever happen, though. So, they made it personal, and left it to me to finish what they started...
Corrupt, self-centered, arrogant bastards...
I work at Deloitte with their Multi-State taxation program. Some of the things you guys say sound like nightmares. I am not doubting any of you. However, I must say it is not like that in every part of Big 4.
I have a JD/CPA and almost everyone in Multi-state possesses the same. There are plenty of smart and nice people and my average work week can range from 45 to 55 hours. During the busy season I might have a couple weeks working 70 hours. It does start off with a lot of compliance, but often times that isn't all so bad. Sometimes it can be a breather to be put on a compliance project to get away from the stress of having large amounts of responsibility.
If you're in your 20's you will most certainly hang around people who like to drink and go to bars a lot. I enjoy doing the same, but I preferbly choose to hang out with my coworkers during the weekends rather than during the week.
Salary starts around 80 k. The average starting salary for an attorney is around 60 k. I would also imagine those top students who do get the 160 k salaries would increase that number a bit. I have no problem starting with 80 k and I do look forward to hopefully making partner down the road.
What I'm saying is, it all depends what road you decide to go down. I chose Multi-state because it involves law and research and I know my average work weeks will continue to be around 50 hours. Not so bad for a CPA/JD.
Hi Deloitte Anonymous...
I hear you -- I am one of the previous posters. I must say that PCS (private company services) is the worst, and they work the craziest hours. SALT (State and Local Tax) at PwC was much more tame, and the hours were more like what you describe.
Although I met a lot of very nice people at PwC Atlanta, they were all very meek and "gagged." In other words, the good people were unable to speak up and be honest about anything because the bad people would rip them apart.
It all goes back to the cronyism...as well as plain FEAR!
My personal experience with Deloitte is so limited, I won't go there too deep. But I must admit that one of their Atlanta recruiters is on my hit list, so to speak... She was an evil little witch, quite young, inexperienced, and unprofessional. She asked interview questions that were downright illegal. I informed her superiors of her behavior, and moved on with my life -- no time for Deloitte or any of the other Big 4 now. I love my current job, and am making four times as much money as I would be making at the Big 4... So I am better off for it, and learned a great deal about how to detect bullshit, and evil people.
Anyhow, I appreciate your comment and feedback. You have a good point about the hours you work in various "different" lines of service.
Avoid PCS, for sure! It is insane!
PwC is in for a real ride secondary to all of their scandals. I hated working there, and would advise anybody considering a career there to look beyond the Big 4 altogether.
There IS more to life than earning tons of money for a bunch of greedy partners, and only getting paid what averages out to be $20 per hour (salary looks great, but when you do the math on your 70+ hour weeks, it ain't so hot!).
Perhaps the partners should clean up their act and then they don't have to worry about being sued. If you are honest there should be no problem. There is such a high level of deceit with this firm. The new partners are told to hide beneifits from thier spouses, in case they get divorced! What a great group!
Ha ha ha, yep, a "great group," indeed. The lack of honesty is a big problem for them (beyond all the other bologna going on there). They overcharge clients for everything they can possibly try to justify. But in fairness to PwC, they ALSO lie for their clients, overlook pertinent information (see all the audit scandals...LOL), and do everything they can to keep their clients "happy." Of course, such happiness is fleeting once the clients end up in the middle of a scandal. Due diligence is NON-existent in the big 4 (PwC included). The real problem here is that the SEC keeps letting the Big 4 get away with all of these material breeches of contract and flat out lies. People should be going to prison, but instead, they pay hefty fees to the Fed. so the Fed. allows them to continue the scams... Your tax dollars hard at work...
All very interesting...
And all very true...
I worked for both PwC and Deloitte ( tax). Also recently had an absolutely evel partner who made my director write me down. But at the same time I still keep in touch with PwC partner who is now killing my former staff person, which kills me in return. But I enjoyed working with the guy and sans kissing ass per say.
Advice 1. If youa re just out of school - go do it. Pay attention to your training opportunities more then anything else. For example a "Deloitte certified gift tax reviewer" will open you many more doors then kissing asses.
Advice 2. You are a staff person and just started. Your first performance evaluation will most likely be nice, the second is where the nailing will start. Do not take it personaly. Take a breath and do not, again do not show your anger. Play it cool.
Advice 3. Kiss ass or not kiss ass...learn not to only manage up and down, but sideways...watch what you say to anybody, leave along clients. There is no team work per say -- this is hard core competition with the people above you and your co workers.
Advice 4. Do not worry about making a manager. There are more managers at big 4 then there are staff. You can make a manager with CPA and getting along. The question how do your stend out in a croud of managers. I have too many manager/ Sr. manager friends that do not know what the hell they are doing next.
Advice 5.
Learn the regions. There are several regions with each firm. Some are profitable some are not. It is difficult and impossible at times to sweach the regions. You will not make a partner in a poorly performing region no matter how much you work and how many asses you kiss.
I think I am done with my advising. As to myself, the most recent experience with Deloitte only made me stronger, I now exactly know what I do not want to be to my staff in the future. Business/ no business - one has to be emotionaly competent supportive leader - before assuming leadership positions. With a little hope and luck I will find " my" partner to work with - be that back to PwC, EY or KPMG. I do like the job.
Some interesting comments here, I currently work for Deloitte UK and notice similar things.
Its a great place to work with quite dynamic people in the first 3 to 4 years, but the people who stay longer these days tend to all be uncreative and boring, unpractical and what the have in knowledge about accounting standards they lack in common sense. I genuinely think for a lot of the managers and above their idea of creativity is choosing the shirt/tie combination. Its quite a musing really, especially seeing them trying to fix a printer that has some paper jammed in it!
The one thing I really don’t like is the ‘better than you attitude’ snr managers and directors have, especially when talking about people who have left and gone to really good job, they laugh it off, when what have they done in their careers, stayed at the same firm, doing the same thing for 6+ years!
To summarise, in my opinion, a great place for the first 3-4 years with a lot of good experience to be gained, but to stay in the long run, not for me……..i'm normal and would prefer to continue to work with fun creative, nice people who prefer to get the job done and go home on time than stick around for a bit of face-time.
deloitte kicks ass (seriously)
Guys, there is a bigger better world outside of the Big 4. If you are smart explore it, otherwise get stuck with the boring humdrum work at the Big 4 and quietly take orders from big-ass partners who do nothing but count their beans ... have fun
I work at PwC now and have to say that everything I have read about corruption, unnecessary internal competition, unfair performance reviews and just plain old arrogance is still 100% true.
Out of the 14 people in my "start class" only 4 are still there after 3 years.
Much of the experience is who you are working with and which group you are in. I have had great bosses but also very horrible ones. All you need is one or two bad ones to ruin your whole experience. PwC does tend to promote a Machiavellian approach to leadership as throwing people under the bus and kissing ass does lead to advancement.
Also, I remember being an intern sitting in a huge Disneyworld auditorium at the end of the internship. A few hundred interns were required to watch a video of why PwC is so great. It made me think of a Big Brother style brainwashing technique (Apple commercial).
Looking back, I would not have joined and am glad I'm gone. I did make a few good friend though.
Some of the lessons you learn by working in Big 4 are:
- If you want to succeed, you have to take ownership in your career, no one does t for you.
- in life, you have to learn how to defend yourself
- you have to be wiling to tell tell a partner, to go fuck-him/herself, and then people will respect you
- there is no loyalty in the workplace
- you are as good as your last evaluation
- make sure you make good relationships with key client personnel
- they teach you how to screw your co-workers, clients and anybody else who get's in your way.
- the best day of working for a big4, is the day you quit!
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