Tuesday, January 20th, 2009
| Website | Ey.com |
| Category | Accounting |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Head Quarters | San Jose, CA |
| Employees | 165,000 |
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. We aim to have a positive impact on businesses and markets, as well as on society as a whole.
I was a summer intern in the Advisory Services (TSRS) division of Ernst & Young and am scheduled to begin full time once I graduate.
The interview process consists of 2 rounds of interviews, first on-campus and then at the office. I highly recommend attending their pre-interview social that they usually hold before the interviews. This is a great chance to meet your interviewer beforehand in a more casual setting. I was lucky enough that I had talked so much with my interviewer that night, that when the actual interview came, we just continued our casual conversation. She didn’t ask anything about my resume or experience or anything. And she actually ended up being my manager when I started the internship, so that was a nice surprise. It was the least stressful interview I’ve ever had and it’s due to that social beforehand.
The second round interviews consist of 3 interviews at the office and these (for me anyway) were more focused on aspirations and goals. I received many questions on where I wanted to be, or what I wanted to do. It had a more professional/serious feel than my 1st interview for sure. It’s also a little mentally draining too unfortunately since having 3 interviews in 1 day is tough.
But it’s ok because the dinner they serve the night before is AMAZING. Filet mignon, potatoes, vegetables and chocolate cake! mmmm…if for no other reason, you should try to get to 2nd rounds for the dinner alone.
The actual internship starts with one week of in-office training where they give you a crash course in auditing. Then from there, you’re put on anywhere from 1 - 3 clients, spending about 2 wks at each client. You’re always on a team and never working alone so you always have support and help along the way. I asked many, many questions about how something worked, or the procedures that EY does and my managers were always willing to answer my questions. Overall I believe the teams I were with, were very supportive and helpful which definately helps break down the nervousness that interns undoubtedly have the first few days on the job.
At the end, all the interns go to Disney World as a sort of “end-of-
internship” celebration. This part is amazing as you’ll meet EY interns from all over the country and even internationally. It was so much fun to just hang out with everyone in Florida. Best week ever for sure.
Overall I really liked the friendly culture of EY. There’s lots of young people there so you can make friends easily. Also everyone remembers what it’s like to be new, so everyone was very helpful, patient and willing to answer questions.
I was an intern in both the audit practice and in the tax practice at Ernst & Young and will be starting full time in the fall. In each of my internships I have had a tremendous experience - challenging, enjoyable, and diverse. My interview process was slightly unusual so I will not comment on the process as others will have a more accurate description of what that is like. However, I will say that when the firm states their famous internal HR slogan “People First,” they certainly mean it. Upon arrival at the firm you are immediately assigned what is called an Epod. An Epod consists of a peer advisor (a staff level individual), a counselor (a manager level individual), and a mentor (a partner). These three people become your immediate resources for any questions you may have. Also if you have any particular desire to work on a specific engagement, if it is at all feasible your counselor will make that happen. Your counselor is also the person who will be in touch with you to make sure you feel like you are making progress towards your goals which you will discuss at the start of your internship. You will have several Epod socials which really helps you get to know them well (esp the partner) and establish those relationships.
As far as clients. EY has some of the bay areas top clients - For example: Google, Apple, Intel, HP, Facebook, Cisco Systems, Sun Microsystems, Electronic Arts. Having the opportunity to work for such high profile engagements is with out a doubt in the cards for the typical intern as the largest clients require the most help. Nevertheless I feel that my internships gave me a broad range of experience in all sizes of firms. In audit I was able to work on both a large firm with multi billions in revenue to a small firm with only about a million in revenue. Smaller clients allowed me to see the forest rather than just the trees in regard to the scope of the audit process while the large engagement really allowed me to understand the significance of teaming. Beyond size, in tax I was given the opportunity to work in a broad range of subareas of the tax service line. For instance in my last internship worked on international tax engagements, on provision (audit of the tax liability line of the financial statements), on compliance, helped with a merger, and even helped a little bit on an R&D Credit Study.
Regardless of the size of the client, EY makes a point to give their interns quality assignments (you will not be caught in the copy room all day or making coffee runs). Interns are typically given the work of a first year staff, which allows you to genuinely get a feel for work full time. Asking questions is key to understanding the larger picture and seeking those answers are what will fuel your growth. Again EY’s “People First” culture shines through whenever questions are asked. Seniors and managers are always always willing and eager to teach you the concepts behind any project. I once had a senior take almost a full hour out of his day to explain the consequences of Sub F and the international tax situation of the company in detail (to the extent that I was eager to know of course) so that I may understand the impact of the assignment I was doing. It is not everyday that you find that type of investment in a large firm’s people, especially interns!
As for training and Disney World, those were well covered by the respondent before me. But certainly wonderful experiences and not to be downplayed. Bottom line = EY is an incredible firm and in my perspective anyone that is given the opportunity should truly savor every moment.
P.S. During the internship you are also taken to sporting events (ie: Giants games if you are in the bay area) or other fun outings periodically throughout your time at the firm. Always a great time to get to know the other interns and staff/managers/partners that may attend as well. EY has such a warm and friendly culture, they make it difficult for anyone to feel like an outsider, starting the day you meet the recruiter.