Accenture Reviews in London, UK Area

Pros

The work at Accenture ideally prepares a fresh-faced graduate to get some *real* experience with some of the Big names in the Industry - which certainly looks good on a CV. The work you do is actual contracted work that a client has paid good money for - so unlike some in-house software projects, there is an implicit guarantee that your work will be used.

The culture to outperform your peers contributes as a key motivator to constantly evaluate oneself and be more retrospective as to how one can improve and be more valuable to the company - as this translates to the performance appraisal, promotion and rewards scheme. So. complacency is not something that is given much encouragement (which is another good thing).

You get to work with some senior people who have to deliver and add value to the customers requirements. So, with this kind of pressure, those whom you work with give you an insight as to how to plan, structure and deliver value to the client - without compromising on quality

There are some renowned experts - either technical or business minded. From a technical perspective, you get to see how some experts make technical and architectural decisions - which form a valuable learning experience.

Cons

Contrary to the published website literature, project managers always have the right to override HR policies.

Business requirements and promotion eligibility criteria fluctuate - and is hard to ascertain what exactly guarantees a promotion; you can do everything that is needed, and still not get it - as there was no business need to increase the level of promotees at the next level.

Long working hours is almost standard. Very few projects have a 9-5 working schedule.

Advice to Senior Management

Ensure that HR policies cannot be superseded

Pros

The level of project work and client base is incredible.

Cons

Can be merciless regarding client locations and work-life balance

Advice to Senior Management

We often sell work without concern for the individuals who will be leading the campaign; I know the expertise is there but its not always utilised.

Pros

Very smart people and strong networking

Cons

Working hours are very long

Advice to Senior Management

Help people to have a better work life balance

Pros

Good benefits and salary,
Good corporate social responsibility programmes eg Accenture development partnerships,
Lots of talented people work for the company.

Cons

Poor work-life balance,
The system used to determine your pay and promotion is not very fair, as it depends on how far your manager is able to push for you.

Advice to Senior Management

Management need to focus on ensuring their people management skills are improved, including common courtesy eg taking the time to thank their employees.

Pros

Great variety of work and opportunities to try new things. Some very talented people. Excellent knowledge sharing culture. Would recommend to others considering joining.

Cons

Can sometimes can feel like a "shout-ocracy", i.e. if you shout the loudest then you'll be noticed irrespective of your work level.

Advice to Senior Management

Out-of-town staff seem to be left behind in terms of rewards/recognition - out of sight-out-of mind seems to apply. This needs to be corrected and more needs to be done to compensate those who work extensive periods of time out-of-town.

Pros

Access to senior clients in top 100 companies
Interesting projects

Cons

too much game playing for promotion. Should be judge on performance and delivery to the cleitn rather than how popular you are with the senior executives.

Advice to Senior Management

I've been at Accenture for 3 years and I am still very confused about the Operating Model.

Pros

Excellent people and company to work for

Cons

very narrow carrier path in the technology services

Advice to Senior Management

Enable as much as facility and support to teams in technical services as consulting group

Pros

Company provides a wide variety of engagement themes and allows to work on a broad range of industry sectors and functional areas

Cons

Company compensation is very top heavy and provides poor schemes to compensate top performers within its large pools of managers, consultants and analysts.

Advice to Senior Management

Management consulting and strategy consulting should have different compensation packages, better reflecting what the competition is offering.

Pros

Accenture is a good place to start your career if you are not sure what you want to do long term and if you join as a graduate you'll have a lot if fun with your start group who will generally be like-minded.

The work can be interesting if you get on the right project.

The leadership do want to take the firm in the right direction.

Cons

Pay is bad considering how manyhoyrs you are expected to work and this seems to get worse the more senior you are. In addition the motivation to stat for senior levels is less because the pay for senior exec is fairly low in comparison to other firms. The brand name is only good if you want to be an IT project manager and not taken seriously as a strategic consulting house.

Advice to Senior Management

Make promotions and pay rises more objective and less about who knows the right people. Focus attention on selling interesting work rather than responding to every RFP to get your sales target

Pros

- Well run company that knows how to make money and keep big clients
- Tools and processes are excellent
- Training and career development is good
- Working with the biggest clients on the most prestigious projects

Cons

- Leadership dominated by "Accenture Lifers" who keep the machine going and all think and operate alike - the biggest 'old boy' network you will ever come across.
- Limited promotion prospects now growth has slowed down - the best people are leaving as they're not prepared to wait for years to get promoted to SE whilst doing the hardest job in the firm - Senior Manager
- Intolerable work / life balance and travel if you want any kind of life outside of work

Advice to Senior Management

Learn how to integrate experienced hires - the company will benefit from this diversity