Adios

I was a high performer in my first three years at ACN and built a great reputation. Early last year, an old SM I enjoyed working with begged me to come help him turn a failing project around. Silly me, I agreed.

I get on the ground, and sh– is a disaster. Client leadership is frustrated, client regular joes hate us, we're WAY behind what we promised. I came in, work my a– off, work my team's a– off, call in favors, and we knock this thing out of the park. So much so that they asked us to extend to do a few more things. MD's happy, SM's happy, we had a big celebration for pulling this off and they asked me to come back for round two, but I politely decline saying I needed a break. All good right?

Then... come review time, I got f—ing clapped. Basically it turned into, "hey thanks for making sure we met our legally binding contract, but we're going to dock you for how hard everyone had to work, Sh– THAT HAPPENED BEFORE YOU EVEN GOT THERE, and lack of entrepreneurship for not staying on." I was already fuming, but the f—ing cherry on top - THE F—ING CHERRY - they docked me ONE WHOLE LEVEL ON TOP because I was late on my time / expenses a few times. We were working 90 hour weeks and weekends to pull this thing out and this is what they wanted to focus on. On top of it, it turns out a lot of my team ALSO got bad reviews with examples of sh– that were the fault of the last manager.

I call my CC about the situation and he basically goes, "sorry about the dock, but dem's the rules". I call the MD of the project - for the expenses he basically goes, "boy, I wish you had told me you were working so hard "... b–ch what? And for the examples of pre-me f—ups he goes, "well client experience reflects on the team"... b–ch then why are you evaluating me individually instead of the team?

I started looking for a new job right after that. Within weeks found a great local boutique doing similar work with a 50% pay raise. Couldn't be happier now.

Final bit? I gave HR my two week notice, told them where I was going, and they turn all my sh– off ASAP. Fine. A few hours later, my CC calls me and basically rants at me for being 'unprofessional' for not consulting him first. Then, he threatens me and goes, "I hope you're not going to [client]... that will be a problem for you." I try to end the conversation cordially and say something like, "well, I hope our paths cross again in the future" and he replies with, "no, I don't share that." Well f— you and f— ACN.

Well actually I guess that wasn't final bit. This expenses thing is the final-for-now bit. Just a sterling example of the incompetence.

Comment! It's anonymous!

6 replies (most recent on top)

Hey @Rjva - This is the first time I am posting here.

I jumped the ship and joined the client about 6 mo after quitting. The partner knew, and they never complained. I was in Strat.

Sorry to hear as it doesn't seem fair but everyone knows that non-compliance in myT&E submissions and required trainings will negatively impact performance reviews. I know of people who didn't get promoted because of it. And because it is so silly, it's one of those "just do it" kind of things (just like expense audits) because it is simply not constructive to fight it. Also, you may want to check the separation documents that you signed because at least in Strategy, you are not allowed to do work with a former client for 12 months after joining a new firm. I have no idea if Accenture would go after you or not but you should at least be aware of the possibility.

That's cold. Sounds like you were dealing with lifers who tend to do everything with a knee jerk reaction and step on anyone to move up. Word of advise, if you want a good review, bonus or raise it pays to be on the current project at review and the time they give out the results. Best of luck at your new role.

Career mgmt at Accenture is multilayered - doing good work on a project is just part of it. You need to manage decision makers, manage up and down, and horiznotally. You need to be working on your brand and that often requires s—ing up and shmoozing etc. Yet, this is very similar in many enterprises, it may not be so 'in your face' or 'emphasized' like in Accenture

Glad you've seen the light, OP. I used to work at ACN and I'm not at all surprised by your experience.

Anon's "you are responsible for managing your career" is accurate for Accenture but it breeds a culture where those that get ahead are the ones who have a buddy-buddy relationship with their CC and are constantly self-promoting. Those who focus on doing good work for their project and customer (and aren't assigned on a project with their CC) are often overlooked.

You should have known better.

You are responsible for managing your career. Here and elsewhere.

Thread regarding Accenture layoffs

Adios

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