Everything stated above that had made Sikich such a great place to work has eroded over the years as upper management has focused more on growth than on their employees. They will tell you repeatedly that we have a great culture and we pay at the top of the market, both of which are untrue.
The culture that they're referring to is the group of people who have been at the firm for 5+ years who have created a clic amongst themselves and play favorites by giving those they like additional resources, support, and new opportunities. Those who are liked are able to do essentially whatever they want - talk down to staff/seniors, expense lunches everyday at the client while other teams are told not to expense lunches, and leave in the middle of the day during busy season to go to other events.
The comp has fallen way behind the market. The salaries that they are offering were considered average 8 years ago. When brought up you are only told that we pay at the top of the market, but will hire new employees at a higher salary than existing employees. When brought to their attention, the explanation was "that's just how it is". Bonuses are only offered to managers and above and the benefits are only average compared to other firms.
The WLB has been non-existent. You are to work your traditional busy season where they instruct you to work no less than 55 hours a week, but since we don't have enough clients in one service line, you have to help out in a secondary service line during their busy season. It is not uncommon to be working 50+ hours year round. The only support that is offered to you unless you are liked is an intern or an off-shored teammate in Sikich India. Both of which cause more work for the senior they're assigned to.
They will also hire outside resources at the senior level to lead staff that have more experience than the newly hired senior. Many of the staff has expressed their dissatisfaction with being passed up for a promotion to be coached by someone with less experience, but nothing is done about it.
Although Sikich is not fully PE owned, they recently announced that they took a "minority" investment from a PE firm. The firm's model has been structure like a PE backed firm by cutting costs, lowering wages, spreading resources thin, and overworking their seniors. This firm has turned into everything they preach that they are against.
I cannot say that I would recommend this firm to anyone that I know. There are so many other firms that are established, have great personnel, pay the market rate, and will support you. Make the best decision for yourself, but just know, at this firm you will be overworked, underpaid, and under appreciated.
