Reading this you almost get the sense that this compounding workload was deliberately cruel and backbreaking. Is this some kind of hazing done to new hires, or does EY just have an unbelievably toxic work culture in general?
It's the knowledge that almost none of the associates (and lower) will stay longer than 1-2 years, so you can use and exploit them as meaty calculators. You also see this in any large private law or accounting firm.
I know a few accountants that have worked for EY etc... it is often toxic. but after their "indenture" and have moved on they dont seem to regret it.. its a weird accountant culture thing.
As I heard from a few people who went straight after qualification was that they're very open to new recruits non experience and to have their name on the CV was basically the best way to move forward with their career opportunities. They have to stay for a year or two and during that time they also get some accounting qualifications (in my friends case) which can be carried on.
Not to encourage the behavior, but it’s not simply “I was a victim” signal.
It’s abusive, but it’s also a sign you did something. You have to do the work asked of you, and the more work you do, the better for a CV. That’s why so many people tolerate this treatment, and why it’s not a negative signal for people reading a CV later.
The line between "tolerates abuse" and "persevered through legitimately hard challenges at work" is quite blurry, and the latter is a good signal on your resume.
