EY/ KPMG

[CaptainWentworth]

I currently work at a top 10 accountancy firm where I am doing well, but due to historical events there are a lot of people in the levels above me, not much 'churn' and thus little opportunity for me to progress.

I've been offered interviews at the local offices of both EY and KPMG. Either of these firms would I feel give me good opportunities to progress my career and gain greater experience. The role at EY is effectively the same level as I'm at now, whilst the KPMG one would be a slight promotion, although I don't expect either of them will pay me much more than I'm currently earning.

At the moment I have a better 'feeling' about EY's organisational culture, attitude to women etc, but I may be a bit prejudiced as I work with someone who was at KPMG for a while, but says she is much happier with us.

Has anyone worked in audit at either of these firms recently? Just looking for a wider range of opinion on what it's like and how they are for women. I don't have children at the moment, but would like to in the future once I have cemented my career a bit more.

It's in the north not London, if that makes any difference.

Thanks!

Good luck with both interviews!

Do both and get a feel for those you'll be working closely with. Is there any difference in the geographic area they cover?

Sorry, typed my OP then buggered off!

I want to go and meet them both and see what the feel is for myself.

In theory the geographical area will be similar; I suspect some degree of travel will be expected with both- but hope I'm right in thinking that as you get more senior you don't have to go and stay away quite so often?

I work on exclusively public sector clients at present, and the EY job would be PS too, whereas KPMG want someone to do corporate work with possibly some PS, but that wouldn't be local as their PS clients are in neighbouring regions. I think it would be useful to get some corporate experience on my CV, but I'm not sure if I want to do it all the time.

You probably need to work out what's important to you, and when they get to the bit on, "Do you have any questions for us?" you ask about anything which you don't feel you've had the answer to, which would help you make up your mind - interviews are two way things, and it's also for you to find out which will suit you best.

You're not making a decision forever; it's just the decision for the next stage of your career, so just think about where you'd ultimately like to end up (if you know), and see which would best give you the experience that you need.

Hi - I work for KPMG, and have done for sixteen years. The reason I'm still here after sixteen years is because it's such a good place to work. I have NEVER experienced any unequal treatment as a woman, there is a strong womens network, very good promotion prospects due to the size of the organisation, a very open approach to flexible working (I work from home between one and four days a week), good maternity pay, etc etc. there is no expectation that your career stalls once you've had children and I know several women who've been promoted while working part time after having children as well. I do work in the London office, so there may be more opportunities than in a regional office, but if you are flexible to working location, you open your options more...

Can I ask what level the Kpmg job is?

The KPMG one is Assistant Manager whereas the EY opportunity is as an Executive. I think they are both aimed at newly qualifieds to be honest, whereas I qualified two years ago (CIPFA) although I am still a Senior at my current firm.

Also regarding location, not in an ideal situation to relocate as my DH is a partner in a local GP practice (he only bought in about 18 months ago). We have been having a few problems to be honest and he's agreed we can focus on my career a little more - I've supported him a lot over the past few years to help him get where he is; he's done really well and I'm proud of him, but I want it to be my turn now.

Sorry, meant to say thanks for respect ness so far!

I should add I'd be ok with a short term secondment or something elsewhere; I work away from home a bit at certain times of year as it is.

I'll pm you

Both are very good firms - I don't think you can really differentiate the Big 4 firms (speaking as a former EY and current Deloitte employee!). Go for the one that feels right to you.

Respect ness? Responses!

I think I'm just a bit wary as I did most of my training in the public sector before TUPE to my current firm, and people were always on about how the big firms were dreadful to work for and treated you like a number not a person. As PP have said, that's clearly not true!

Some firms are dreadful to work for, some aren't - but you can say that whether it's a large, medium or small organisation, public sector or private. I would recommend my company as someone to work for - but a lot depends on which department you're in; I wouldn't recommend my own department. The overall company culture can be good, but there may still be pockets where it doesn't seem to have filtered down yet. I think departmental managers matter far more than the whole company when it comes to how you experience somewhere as a place to work.

Yes Ebearhug , I agree- in my current firm there seem to be big differences between offices and service lines (although to be fair I'd expect differences between service lines anywhere). I guess all I can do is try to get a feel for the people interviewing me.

Any other opinions would be very much appreciated!

So my interviews are tomorrow afternoon and Friday afternoon- eeek! I've been thinking of examples I can use to answer competency based questions, and questions I can ask them.

I'm hovering somewhere between feeling quite confident and then thinking, 'what am I doing, there's no way I'm good enough to go and work for the likes of them!'

Wish me luck

You are good enough.

Good luck'!

Thanks Yonic

Your husband should get a job with no problem by the way. People are desperate for GPs. Good luck.

DH is really happy at the practice he's in and we've invested a lot of money in it by taking out a loan for him to buy into the partnership- I think it would be quite difficult to extricate him really so I wouldn't want to relocate without a very very good reason.

Anyway KPMG interview done- director plus partner, both very nice, all sounds much more positive than expected, they seemed to like me- recovering with a half of cider in the sun!

Good luck.

I'm at a top 10 but have friends across a variety of firms and KPMG seem to get a good name and look after staff.

Just come back to give an update - KPMG were apparently very impressed with me and although they haven't formally offered me a job, they arranged for me to meet the office people manager and also a female assistant manager so I could ask more questions- all of which went well (except the current AM I met was a scary amount younger than me- guess it serves me right for doing 8 years at uni before starting a proper job!)

I also had a first interview at EY which to be honest I felt hadn't gone that well, so was very surprised to be asked back for a second interview, which is in the process of being arranged. Hopefully that will be more useful for getting a feel for the place, as the first one was via video conference which made it a bit weird.

I'm stunned to be in this position to be honest!

So I accepted the KPMG offer tonight- they seemed really keen to have me (which still amazes me!) and I'll be getting a moderate pay rise as well, which I didn't expect.

Eeek! But also yay!

Well done!

Congratulations!

Thank you- I've just been to the pub with DH for two celebratory pints and am feeling quite the lightweight...