Pros
Protiviti provides an opportunity for recent college graduates to gain exposure to a variety of different companies and industries. Assignments and engagements vary in nature, with most involving internal controls testing and other SOX work. Protiviti has started to transition to a more diverse offering of consulting solutions, allowing consultants to work on accounting investigations, restatements, credit analysis projects, and bankruptcy & restructuring engagements. Although the company’s culture is still developing, it is clearly influenced by the numerous Arthur Andersen alumni that fill the management ranks. Overall, the company has a young and energetic energy, with most employees being friendly and easy to work with.
Cons
Protiviti is currently working through a restructuring and re-branding effort in light of the drastic reduction in SOX revenues. The company has relied on an employee base proficient in SOX to drive its business for the past six years, and management has not been able to deploy these resources to the specialty engagements it is now trying to win. This fact has led to a series of layoffs and lowering of morale over the past year. The deteriorating economy has only made it more difficult for Protiviti to sell new work, especially work for which it does not posses the deep skills or competencies that clients seek.