Bait and Switch, GO ANYWHERE ELSE - FSO BAP (Recurited From A Top Tier University) EY Employee Review

1.0
Apr 4, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The entry level employees are impressive (but the smartest leave). Hours are unpredictable, but generally good.

Cons

EY is a complete bait and switch: Intelligent people are promised work in areas of interest and are lured into an anti-money laundering engagement for at least a year (everyone in BAP and many in RAP/TAP). The engagement is pure, mind numbing data entry that makes you question your intelligence because the guidance documents are so disorganized and poorly written. Moral is incredibly low because analysts are "failed" on cases, oftentimes due to random grading or unclear requirements. Even worse, pass rates determine bonuses (which are small to begin with). People are blatantly frusterated about their work situations, and those who put on a brave face cry when they get home. The environment is chaotic at best-- depressing is the norm. You will spend the rest of your time doing businesses development work (or finding it). Business development work generally doesn't count towards your utilization, a metric that factors into your pay (you do it without being officially on the engagement to network your way in). Business development work is like that college hook up that hits you up late at night to get what they need (your free labor). They tell you how wonderful you are and how anyone would be lucky to have you. They tell you they see a future with you, but when push comes to shove they aren't ready for commitment (to hire you on their engagement full time). They tell you they just need time to figure things out, but eventually you realize you're being used. And that's what working at EY feels like. Being used, lied to, and played. And they get away with it because there are hundreds of you, but you only get one shot at the first year of your professional development. ps: Even if you come as an experienced hire in another division you might end up on AML because it's one of the only profit- generating engagements at EY.

Explore other reviews about EY

5.0
Jun 12, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Varied experiences and client scenarios Intelligent colleagues Excellent benefit package

Cons

Variable working hours Challenge to manage business development and project delivery simultaneously Confusing leadership and service line structure -- in constant state of flux

5.0
Feb 21, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

1. You will have a very hard time not falling in love with every single person you meet there. 2. Seriously, you will meet your soul mate(s) there. 3. Prestigious and looks great on the resume. 4. Your brain will grow a thousand times more powerful. 5. Forces you to conquer your fear of public speaking. 6. Fun team bonding and lifelong friends. 7. Stepping stone to high paying jobs. 8. Helps you work on perfecting your charm. You will learn from the most charming people how to really get people to like you. 9. HR really cares. 10. Big support network (IT, creative services, etc.). 11. Teaches you to be calm and in control.

Cons

OK, I'm going to be discussing all the taboo things, and there are a lot of them. In spite of these cons, I still admit it's worth a five star rating. 1. High performers are "designated" (you have very little control over your rating) by the partner group (can be a pro if you get selected. Seriously, I have worked with some of the supposed "fives" and they are not any different than my threes and fours. 2. Quality is extremely low. Sometimes I felt like I was working at McDonalds and not a professional services firm. The emphasis is on getting through work as fast as possible and expectations for quality are not realistic. 3. EY has a very hard time firing bad employees. If you get stuck with one it can be a nightmare. 4. EY has a heavy emphasis on wasting time. For example, there are lots and lots of checklists which have no value that you have to fill out. Also, they wasted money and time on creating "Canvas" which is literally slower and more awkward than the previous workspace tool, GAMX. There is a heavy emphasis on "reinventing the wheel" and fixing problems that aren't broken with even worse solutions. Instead of wasting money on useless tools, that money could have been spent on your employees in the form of compensation. Like I said, EY is really focused on attempting to look as though value is being created when in fact it is not. 5. Lots of meetings. Appearances are very important. 6. Employees on global 360 accounts get better treatment. 7. Some employees (executives mostly) tend to overemphasize how important this work is. Let's face it, if it was really glorious work then we would have action figures. 8. Looks are very important. Seriously, if you are a girl, you will get promoted based on how hot you are (the quality of your work is largely unimportant). If you are a guy, you are treated a little better but there is still a sexist undercurrent in the environment. This is advice you won't get from HR obviously, but that doesn't mean it isn't true. 8. You will be forced to eat hours. 9. Your ethical compass will start to get weaker. 10. You will get a little cynical. 11. Lots of driving and travel. 12. "Family men" and married couples with children are more likely to be promoted. If you want to be a partner, you have to be married (few exceptions). 13. You will work on vacations. 14. Loss of relationships with family and friends. 15. Some backstabbing and credit-stealing (but not very common). 16. Comp is below market but that's to be expected. 17. Employee retention is not something management is interested in. This makes you replaceable and expendable (yes even as a manager, unless you have been "designated" as a high performer by the partner group).

1015
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All