Unsatisfactory work environment, low pay. - Portfolio Accounting Analyst Northern Trust Employee Review

2.0
Jul 29, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Northern Trust offers a good starting point as they will hire almost anybody. The workplace is very laid back and allows younger and less motivated employees to blend into the background without having to complete too much work or take on too much responsibility. If you are looking for a low stress, low impact job, Northern Trust may have what you are looking for. The one place that Northern Trust shines is in its offering of vacation days to employees. Most employees will qualify for 3 weeks of paid vacation with the opportunity to earn more with different job titles. All in all, a very relaxed work place.

Cons

Very few opportunities for growth, disconnected management, very low compensation, unmotivated employees/management, weak support systems, incompetent training staff. Northern Trust suffers mainly from the fact that upper management seems to assume that the majority of lower level employees are unable or unwilling to think. This has fostered an environment of zero accountability and zero opportunity. Employees often have down time depending on their work schedule/job title and will often struggle to find things to do. Instead of increasing the work force, Northern Management should be focused on becoming more efficient with its current operations by delegating more responsibility and providing more rewards.

Explore other reviews about Northern Trust

5.0
May 29, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great place to work, especially starting your career.

Cons

I have no cons— fabulous people.

2.0
Apr 21, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Nice people and a good environment. Benefits are good and the work is interesting. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate NT as a 7. But, it’s typical big corporate crap that hands out 2% raises and minimum bonuses during a good year yet spends $360 million this past quarter buying their stock back.

Cons

Constant reminders to do more with less and cut costs and belt tightening while the execs line their pockets and you maybe get a 2% raise. I could see such actions if the firm was doing bad financially, but they aren’t. Record this and record that for many quarters now. And they walk around patting each other on the back like they all did such a great job when in reality, the markets are up so the value of the assets we manage are up. I’m wondering what sort of actions will happen when the market goes south for several quarters. Oh. And the constant state of surveillance here is BS. Tracking to make sure you are here 3 days a week. Keyboard / mouse / PC tracking systems receding your activity. It’s like a 21st century high tech sweatshop in some ways.

2
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