Morning all,I'm currently consulting for one of the usual suspects.... I'm concerned abut a lack of opportunity at the current place and wonder whether anyone has a view of life at EY?In particular, interested in performance improvement and cost reduction. Perhaps the new 'process transformation' practice (why is it new? What did EY call this type of work before?).Any highlights or poorer aspects of life at EY?Thanks folks

EY are a joke of an outfit. They tried PI a number of times - the most obvious one being that joke F&PM. They tried to hire a lot of IBM's top guns, and it failed spectacularly. No reason to see why this attempt will be any different

Surprise, surprise. More EY-bashing from those who like to spin the same broken record.EY has definitely changed over the past few years, and the small, close-knit feeling of the team has disappeared. The economic context is affecting EY just like other firms, and there is big pressure on the partners to deliver their numbers -- pressure which is trickling down and being felt by the guys at the coal-face. A downturn in the commercial business is somewhat offset by a strong public-sector pipeline, but it's not exactly the most interesting work in the world.Morale is lower now than it was previously -- there was just a firm-wide email announcing that promotions will be limited this year and that there is an across-the-board pay freeze, not unexpected given the market conditions, but demoralising nevertheless.In terms of the PT team, I think that some of the skills used to be part of the wider business transformation agenda and some of the operational improvements (six sigma, etc) may have been housed in the Supply Chain team. I'm not really familiar with the PT team, but my sense is that the work is really operationally-focused.To summarise, EY isn't a bad place to work and I would still consider a position there. Times are tough and it's not all roses, but the business still has good potential and it's a good name to have on your CV.

EY, even despite the continuing redundancies, never ending pay freezes (and pay cuts in some places), and virtual complete blocks on promotions and training still is losing market share in the private sector.About 5 years ago, they made a big splash trying to take on Deloittes and Accenture, in particular, but they have failed miserably and are left squabbling with other second rate companies for the fag ends of public sector work.Ever considered the reason why EY bashing is so prevalent on this board is that it is because they are not a credible outfit.I agree that EY is a valuable brand to have on your CV, but only if you are an auditor or a tax accountant. They lack all credibility as a consultancy (oops, advisory) firm, and will damage your CV if you work for them.

Hi, thanks for your views guys.I'm not surprised to hear that promotions and pay have been frozen. Indicative of the times I'm afraid.I must admit that I was surprised to hear about the redundancies...Given that practically every consultancy gets a bashing on TC......Is the EY reputation as bad as is being suggested? Any reason for this? What good stuff do they do? Thanks

SandyI think there have been a total of 12 redundancies across EY Advisory and none affecting the BAS business. I'm not sure how you define a never ending pay freeze but there were pay rises last year and no pay rises this year so that qualifies as just the one freeze in my book.Not seen any stats on market share in the private sector but I doubt we're the only consultancy whose balance has shifted to a greater share of public sector business. We're still winning decent (if not spectacularly exciting) work with large private sector businesses and building a bigger footprint in PE so things are far from the disaster you present.As for the CV thing - that's just rubbish. EY on the CV is not going to stop you getting through the door for an interview but I suspect in your case being an idiot probably will stop you getting the job.Hope you get over it one dayGreenerGrassYou seem to have the right instincts so don't pay too much attention to the forum witterings (including mine) and get an interview sorted to make your own mind up

Promotions have not been frozen, there will be less than usual but no freeze, at least not where I am (FS).I continue to be baffled by the burning need to EY-bash, by people who don't work there.

It's certainly not limited to EY and is the nature of this type of forum I'm afraid.So, in the spirit of not being negative, what does BAS at EY do well?

What does BAS do well?Hiring, and then firing, IBM sh*te

It's only in the petty world of consulting that EY is seen as a poor brand. Ask people in industry and it's a solid Big 4 brand so doors will be open to you.I think a lot of the EY bashing stems from their disorganisation at the inception of BAS and also the fact that they poached so many people from Accenture and IBM. They were the Man City of the last couple of years but they now have to deliver some wins and it's been hit and miss. I left a year or so ago as the work I wanted to do was not a priority for BAS but there are some great people there. The culture is fairly touch and similar to Accenture with some machoism. Overall, it's a good place to work and will look good on your CV.

Could you shed some light on the area you feel was not a priority (and hence your reason for leaving)?More importantly, any detail on what you view their priorities to be would be a appreciated...Thanks

Could you shed some light on the area you feel was not a priority (and hence your reason for leaving)?More importantly, any detail on what you view their priorities to be would be a appreciated...Thanks