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EY New Zealand

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3.9
  • > 100,000 employees

EY New Zealand Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Accounting & Advisory

What it does: One of the ‘Big Four’ global professional services organisations  

Staff stats: 300,000 spread across more than 700 offices in 150 countries

The good bits: Opportunities to learn, network, grow and move around within a huge company

The not so good bits: Long hours, especially during busy periods, bureaucracy

Hiring grads with degrees in: Business & Commerce, Engineering, Maths, IT & Computer Sciences; Finance, Accounting, Economics & Business Administration; Law & Legal Studies; Sciences; Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences; Medical & Health Sciences; Property & Built Environment; Teaching, Education & Human Welfare.

The EY story

EY started off in 1849 with the founding of Harding & Pullein in England. Since then, EY has gone through several iterations. In 1989, Ernst & Whinney, a descendant of Harding & Pullein and the world’s fourth-largest accountancy firm, merged with the world’s fifth-largest accountancy firm, Arthur Young, to create Ernst & Young. (In 2013 the name got shortened to EY).    

EY’s main service lines are Assurance, Tax, Strategy and Transactions, Consulting and Core Business Services. In contrast to its three major competitors, EY is not centrally managed. Rather it is organised into four regions: EMEIA (Europe, Middle East, India and Africa), Americas, Asia-Pacific and Japan. Each region has the same business structure and its own Area Managing Partner. EY believes this arrangement allows it to more effective service its global clientele. The company has annual revenues in the neighbourhood of US$40 billion. 

Globally, EY has more than 300,000 clients and annual revenues in the neighbourhood of US$36 billion (NZ$55 billion). In New Zealand, EY has offices in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. 

The culture

EY believes that “diverse perspectives, combined with an inclusive culture, drive better decision-making, stimulate innovation, increase organisational agility and strengthen resilience to disruption”.

It lives up to that lofty rhetoric, having won a trophy cabinet worth of awards for being a great place to work from publications such as Forbes, BusinessWeek, Fortune and ComputerWorld. It’s also been lavished with recognition for its initiatives to further gender equality, disability inclusion and LGBTI advocacy.

Social contribution

EY has a well-earned reputation as a good corporate citizen. It backs programmes such as Entrepreneurial Winning Women and Strategic Growth Forum that, respectively, provide encouragement to female entrepreneurs and facilitate entrepreneurs from around the world meeting up to share their experiences. In 2019, EY invested almost US$113 million (NZ$170 million) in community-strengthening projects. In the same year, EY employees spent 745,000 hours working on community and charitable activities. 

The recruitment process

EY seeks to recruit talented people from diverse backgrounds. Ones who possess passion, curiosity and drive, that can help its clients navigate the complexities of this transformational digital age.

You’ll require a bachelor degree in an appropriate discipline with at least a pass average. EY recruits students from many different disciplines, including accounting and finance, business, commerce, economics, engineering, IT and information systems, law and science. Those with psychology and HR degrees are encouraged to apply for the People Advisory Services team.

The process begins by going to the company website to fill out an online application and undertake cognitive and behavioural testing. The next step is to attend an assessment centre to undertake a group activity and interview (expect to have to deal with case-study scenarios and demonstrate industry knowledge).

Remuneration

Remuneration is on par with the other ‘Big Four’ graduate programmes, with salaries in the $50-70,000 range. There are attractive leave arrangements, including generous parental leave, the ability to purchase up to six weeks of extra annual leave and the option to take three months’ unpaid leave to enjoy a ‘career break’. There are flexible working arrangements and discounts on an extensive range of goods and services. EY will pay for or subsidise training and professional memberships. It also has a well-resourced health and wellbeing program that includes free flu shots and cheap gym memberships.

Career prospects

Unlock your potential through customised learning, experience of the latest technologies, and receive the personal support you need to reach your career goals. Globally, EY invests US$500 ($NZ758) million a year informal learning programmes for its staff. EY wants to be at the forefront of the fourth industrial revolution. To achieve this, it’s doing everything possible to facilitate employees acquiring “future-focused skills such as data visualisation, data science and AI”. 

Rather than annual performance reviews, EY managers provide “ongoing feedback that fuels meaningful dialogue about your career, development and performance”. 

Given the size of the business, there are always job opportunities coming up both domestically and internationally. EY sees its greatest asset being “high-performing teams”. If you’re a high performer and a team player you can expect to rise through the ranks from staffer to senior to manager to senior manager to partner to director.    

After a few years’ service, you can apply to work at EY offices across New Zealand and throughout the world. 

The vibe of the place

Being one of 300,000 people in one of the world’s largest businesses means you have to deal with bureaucracy. That noted, EY does what it can to make its people feel valued, in particular by providing the training and coaching they need to advance their careers. It’s a high-performance culture but teamwork is encouraged and most people find the workplace friendly and supportive.

Overall satisfaction rating among grad employees: 3.8 stars

From the Employer

Why choose your organisation?

We're change agents and entrepreneurs. Performance improvers and problem solvers. Data scientists and game changers. Risk managers and confidence builders. Disruptors and visionaries of tomorrow. We’re 300,000 global perspectives ready to welcome yours. 

Here at EY, you’ll build a legacy. You’ll grow your skillset and expand your mindset. You’ll ask better questions to get bet answers. You’ll focus your intelligence and imagination on the most crucial, complex issues facing business, government and society today. And every day you will help build a better working world. With access to on-demand learning, formal training, coaching and real time feedback to help shape your career and prepare you for the future.

The EY exceptional experience. It’s yours to build.

Career Compass Programme

How can undiscovered opportunities help you discover your best self? Discover your direction with the EY Career Compass Programme. During our structured learning sessions, you’ll learn how to evaluate your career options to make smarter decisions for your future. The Career Compass Programme experience is designed to give you a first-hand experience of EY, so you can find out as much about us as possible about EY people, culture, how EY teams operate and provide services, and most importantly, how we can help you to build your future. Demonstrate that you’re a high achiever, and you may be invited to interview for the EY Internship Programme.

Internship Programme

You want an internship that’s more than a line on a resume. You want an experience, a challenge and a launchpad for lifelong relationships and career growth. You can find that here. 

Throughout the programme, you’ll hit the ground running with dedicated on-the-job training, coaching and technology onboarding. You’ll work alongside EY professionals on real clients – right now. You’ll get the opportunity to be immersed in EY culture, network with EY people, and experience the transformative work done for EY clients. Plus, the best bit is, if you impress us, we might offer you a permanent position after you graduate.

Graduate Programme

Where do you start if you want to change the world? You start right here. Join us full-time as a graduate and we’ll help you achieve your career goals with continuous support, learning and experiences. We’ll propel you forward so you can start to build the future you want immediately. You’ll enjoy early responsibility, expand your network and build your skills. Just imagine the confidence you’ll gain through new experiences with leading clients in different industries. You’ll get to work with experienced professionals who’ll guide you to be your best. After all, we want to help you be the best you can be, because when you shine, we do too.

Recruitment Process

EY NZ

 

Remuneration & Career Growth

EY and you

Learn through our structured, formal programmes. You’ll be supported to achieve professional certification. Coaching will nurture you in your day-to-day work. Get feedback, counselling and mentoring from experienced people who can help and show you how to realise your talents and aspirations.

Be rewarded

We’ll reward you for your work and your commitment. Here are just some of the benefits you’ll enjoy during your first few years — and beyond:

You can take advantage of myPERKS, which offers you genuine discounts to a great range of popular retailers. You and your family can save hundreds of dollars each year on everything from your everyday groceries and petrol to travel, clothes, entertainment, insurance, homewares, electronics and more!

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The EAP provides confidential, free counselling support to EY people and their immediate families to help them work through personal or work related challenges in a positive way. EY's EAP also offers proactive support across financial, legal, dietician and wellbeing coaching services.

Health and Wellbeing programs: The myWELLBEING digital app and hub provide a one-stop-shop for EY wellbeing tools, resources, tips and events. From sleep and mindfulness guides, financial wellness support, seminars, challenges and more, our compressible wellbeing offering is here to support you at every stage of the journey.

Social Club: Our Social Club organises a range of activities, form sporting events to informal and formal social functions including an annual ball (in most offices).

Salary packaging: From your pre-tax salary, you can package your phone or iPad if it is used primarily for work purposes. You can also package airline club memberships, novated car leases, car parking, study expenses, as well as make extra contributions to your superannuation. 

FLEXIleave: You’ll have the opportunity to purchase up to six weeks extra leave. This provides you with more time for study, family or other personal pursuits.  

Flexibility: We aim to create a work environment around the world that enables flexible working and supports the health and wellbeing of our people. By providing our people with current technology and encouraging more flexible working, we're enabling them to work at the office, in transit, at home or from client sites. 

Giving back

Through our EY Foundation programmes, EY has shown an ongoing commitment to sharing the responsibility of caring for the community. Whether it’s for local businesses, disadvantaged people or the environment, we volunteer our skills and time to give back to those in need. Together we can build a better working world

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
3.9
Overall score based on 8 reviews
They Score Best in…
9.0
Culture
8.8
Diversity
8.8
Management
8.6
Sustainability
9.0
Culture
8.8
Diversity
8.8
Management
8.6
Sustainability
What Graduates Say About Them
  • Great driven people, stimulating work, tons of opportunities for corporate volunteering, and diversity and inclusion. You progress as fast as you're willing to work (i.e. there is the opportunity for upward and lateral progression)
  • They put a lot of effort into caring about the well-being of their employees. I'm given and encouraged to take opportunities to learn and develop. The work is very interesting.
  • The people are by far the best thing!
  • Sometimes workload can be a bit intense.
  • There are often times when you are put into the deep end, but there's always support and learnings available to aid you through the process
  • Level to perform at high is incredibly high

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
B
Business & Management
C
Creative Arts
E
Engineering & Mathematics
H
Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
I
IT & Computer Science
L
Law, Legal Studies & Justice
M
Medical & Health Sciences
P
Property & Built Environment
S
Sciences
T
Teaching & Education
Current Jobs & Opportunities

Internship, Clerkship or Placement

Tāmaki Makau Rau (Auckland), Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington), Ōtautahi (Christchurch)
You want an experience, a challenge and a launchpad for lifelong relationships and career growth. You can find that here.
Applications Close
10 Mar 2025
Start Date
Ongoing
Salary
NZD 50,000 - 55,000 / Year

Internship, Clerkship or Placement

Tāmaki Makau Rau (Auckland), Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington), Ōtautahi (Christchurch)
Kei a koe te mana I The choice is yours. We offer more than just an internship. We offer a launchpad for personal and professional growth.
Applications Close
7 Apr 2024
Start Date
Ongoing
Salary
NZD 50,000 - 55,000 / Year


Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories
The people are incredible. From day one, I have felt like people here have my best interests at heart and want to see me excel in my career.

Grace Cronin

  • Graduate stories
The people are incredible. From day one, I have felt like people here have my best interests at heart and want to see me excel in my career.

Grace Cronin

  • Graduate stories
A better working world is one in which all communities have the opportunities and resources to succeed and thrive. I contribute to building a better working world by working to accelerate Māori success.

Evy Ngawhika

  • Graduate stories
A better working world is one in which all communities have the opportunities and resources to succeed and thrive. I contribute to building a better working world by working to accelerate Māori success.

Evy Ngawhika

  • Graduate stories
The people are incredible. From day one, I have felt like people here have my best interests at heart and want to see me excel in my career.

Grace Cronin

  • Graduate stories
The people are incredible. From day one, I have felt like people here have my best interests at heart and want to see me excel in my career.

Grace Cronin

  • Graduate stories
A better working world is one in which all communities have the opportunities and resources to succeed and thrive. I contribute to building a better working world by working to accelerate Māori success.

Evy Ngawhika

  • Graduate stories
A better working world is one in which all communities have the opportunities and resources to succeed and thrive. I contribute to building a better working world by working to accelerate Māori success.

Evy Ngawhika


A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Zayad Khawaja

Zayad studied a Bachelors of Commerce (Honours) at University of Canterbury and is now an Associate Director at EY
  • Day in the life

Zayad Khawaja

Zayad studied a Bachelors of Commerce (Honours) at University of Canterbury and is now an Associate Director at EY
  • Day in the life

Zayad Khawaja

Zayad studied a Bachelors of Commerce (Honours) at University of Canterbury and is now an Associate Director at EY
  • Day in the life

Zayad Khawaja

Zayad studied a Bachelors of Commerce (Honours) at University of Canterbury and is now an Associate Director at EY

Videos


2022 Māori & Pasifika Job & Internship Super Fair | EY

Watch EY reps talk about how their graduate program and how to succeed in the Accounting & Advisory sector!

Your future is bright.

Your future is bright. It's yours to build.

2022 Māori & Pasifika Job & Internship Super Fair | EY

Watch EY reps talk about how their graduate program and how to succeed in the Accounting & Advisory sector!

Your future is bright.

Your future is bright. It's yours to build.