FactSet Reviews in City of London, England (UK)

Pros

Financial rewards are very good indeed when compared with other software companies in London and the rest of the UK, particularly the starting salary. Other benefits are also great, there is a good pension scheme and free lunch, snacks, fruit and drinks are provided every day.

There are lots of opportunities for growth in both technical knowledge and career (such as management roles) for those who perform well (I was able to achieve a senior role and management position within a few years thanks to high performance). Employees are encouraged to take on projects outside of their immediate responsibilities in order to help them grow, which also brings some interesting variation to the job.

The environment is definitely engineering focussed and very relaxed, senior managers chat and have lunch with new recruits. There are regular social events that are fully paid for by the company, things like go-karting, bowling, etc, which are great fun and many people regularly socialise together after work too. This kind of environment has been very hard to find in software enginering jobs in London in my past experience.

Cons

Pay is not as good as the banks (although it is close), this is a software company, if you want to work all hours of the day and be rewarded with a huge pay cheque then go to a bank. FactSet makes up for this by being focussed on engineering and encouraging a good work / life balance.

The company can be a little slow in identifying poor performers and acting on this, which can seem unfair if you are doing very well.

Advice to Senior Management

Really, the main thing FactSet needs to do is to get its name out to potential employees. Most people I speak to have never heard of FactSet and this puts them off joining when they have an opportunity at a better known company. Overall, I think they would probably be better off at FactSet and the company needs to do more to stop this being a factor.

Pros

Its a relaxed place to work, considering they are in financial services, and people are very relaxed. The environment is positive and everyone is very nice. You get a free lunch, and a number of benefits, such as a laptop etc. The work is interesting.

Cons

There is alot of internal politics. People who've been with the firm for long are favored, and not always the best performers. The levels of knowledge in finance, which is supposed to be the core business of the company, is very low, and the majority of people are the 9-5 types who can't go for a beer because they need to feed the cat. Very few ambitious people, but one gets the feeling that thats what is preferred, and is reflected in the salaries, which stagnate once you join.

Advice to Senior Management

If you want the London office to be more revenue generating, change the HR team, or hire recruitment firms. There are too many deadbeat people with limited ambitions.

Pros

A good start at the begining of your career as FactSet is a good name to carry in the investment arena. Good access and learning how to use FactSet products. Free lunch.

Cons

- Innefective middle management
- Salary is poor, very small increases every year
- Lack of progression opportunities after 4-5 years

Advice to Senior Management

- Reward the jewels of the team
- Offer different career paths with potential
- Make the departments look and feel more professional (most of the engineers turn up in trainers at 10AM - not good)

Pros

Good, intelligent people with aspirations that are all working towards the same goal
Down to earth company with a small company feel
Flexibility and good overall compensation packages
Friendly place to work with good atmosphere

Cons

Not enough visibility on earnings potential and not big enough to provide a huge choice of careers to everyone, but will always look after the top performers

Advice to Senior Management

Communicate more clearly changes and aspirations behind making these changes
Ensure that the direction and company goals are clearly communicated down the chain and visible to all employees

Pros

1. Helpful and great people to work with.
2. Manage time and day schedule independently.
3. Project management autonomy and independence.

Cons

1. Very low pay which stays low for a very long time.
2. Horizontal career moves being called promotions.
3. Inconsistent target and performance measures.

Advice to Senior Management

1. Pay structure should be looked into and revised to compete with competitors.
2. Management should organise soft skills courses for themselves.

Pros

Pay: FactSet employs many recent college grads, so the starting pay is very competitive with any other entry level job. they promote from within and are generous with bonuses (2x year). I do think the starting salaries could be higher.

Respect: Pretty good, you dont want to step on anybodys toes - you won't be held in high regard. if you work hard and bring good ideas to the table, you'll earn your spot here. there are some people who have been here too long and think they run the place, when they really aren't very senior at all.

Benefts: Great. I pay nothing for medical. We get free lunch too. Always a whole kichen full of snacks, drinks, fruit, coffee, etc.

Job Security: Good. Company is growing very rapidly and has been for the last umpteen years.

Work/Life: I've never had a problem. You do have to work hard and put in hours if you want to get promoted, but I've never had an issue if i need to leave for an appointment.

Career growth: promote from within, most people are promoted w/in 2 years

Cons

takes a while to progess through the ranks

Advice to Senior Management

provide better incentives to consulants