Hey guys,This forum has been an incredibily useful - massive thanks to everyone that contributes and makes this so.I am interested to hear what people's views are on which firms have the best work-life balance. I have recently joined one of the Big4 in the expectation that I would not be working 80 hours weeks.While I will without my verdict on the work-life balance at this Big4 player for now, I wanted to hear other people's perspectives on where the best place to work is when measured against this criteria.As a starter for 10, I have heard good work life balance things about:BainPWC,EY,KPMG,PA.Thanks folks. Don't work too hard.

(This might work better if you volunteer some info of your own to get the ball rolling.)I'm not sure if your opinion of Bain is true. I met a girl from there a few weeks ago who was describing a recent 'soft period'. She was still clocking up over 60 hours a week, which is pretty serious.This might not be indicative though.

LOL @ the Bain suggestion. I may be wrong, but do Bainees ever actually leave the office? Let's be clear: MBBB's idea of "work life balance" is "all work and no play" as far as I can tell. I once worked for a MBBB firm and was scared sh1tless to leave my desk, the atmosphere was that bad.

PA work/life balance should be fine as most of us are on the bench these days thanks to the downturn in Government jobs

"I have recently joined one of the Big4 in the expectation that I would not be working 80 hours weeks."Really? It doesn't sound like you researched the role too well. I work at ACN and have seen my work hours range from 40 - 100 hours a week, and average around 60-70. The hours vary a lot on the project and on the phase of the project, and the punishing hours only last for short bursts. I think most of the big firms are fairly open about the hours that you may be expected to work. If you want a 9-5 job, you are probably better off looking for a role in industry.

Just call in sick if it gets too much.