If you love auditing, you'll love KPMG... - Audit Associate KPMG Employee Review

4.0
Oct 31, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great people. Coworkers are (almost) always smart, interesting, fun and your (large) peer group is composed of people your age (with whom you likely share some common interests). Sexes up your resume. If you want a career in finance/accounting this is the place to start. A breeding ground for controllers. The partner/manager group is composed of good (actually pretty great) people who take time to know each member of their teams individually. Best Big 4 firm in Seattle.

Cons

The pay structure could be improved (pay relative to cost of living not 'market'). All your hard work gets the partners (not necessarily you) paid. While top talent is identified though a fair ratings process, it is subsequently exploited. In other words, if you get a high rating you will be subjected to a challenging, (i.e. crushing) workload because "you can handle it.' This is fine if you love auditing. However, if you don't take satisfaction from being treated like a cop by clients who don't respect you, then auditing may not be for you. Also, KPMG's technology lags behind the other Big 4 firms and, at times, is borderline mind-numbing.

Explore other reviews about KPMG

5.0
Apr 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The people are the best to work with

Cons

The hours are long and lots of meetings depending where you sit in the org

2.0
Jun 17, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You get to work with an awesome, highly resilient group of local peers in the advisory practice. The KPMG brand still holds value, but the internal team dynamics have become incredibly fractured.

Cons

We have outsourced 80%+ of our Risk Advisory work, leaving onshore seniors with massive gaps in their experience. As a manager, I am stuck doing senior-level work because I typically have only one or zero local seniors or associates on my teams. The best leaders have already resigned because this model prevents actual management and mentoring. Also, it might take you 30+ years to become partner in Risk Advisory, if at all.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All