Accenture Inc.

Accenture's physical workplace is rated as very good. The company's head office is located in the heart of Toronto's financial district and is connected to the city's extensive underground walking network, which provides all-weather access to the subway, regional commuter GO trains as well as an incredible variety of restaurants, shops and services. Inside the 28-storey building, Accenture's offices feature a variety of flexible workspaces to accommodate the varying needs of each employee, with most employees utilizing laptops and working where required (including at their home offices). In addition, the head office features an employee lounge (with comfortable seating and television), fresh coffee; a variety of teas; filtered and sparkling water; secure bicycle parking.

Accenture's work atmosphere is rated as above-average. At work, employees enjoy business casual dress; organized social events. Accenture's "People Advocate" committee organizes a variety of client- and employee-focused celebrations and networking events throughout the year including the "First Friday" networking initiative where office-based and out-of-town employees as well as senior executives enjoy informal gatherings every month. In addition, the company keeps people up to date through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.

Accenture's financial benefits are rated as average. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. Along with ensuring competitive compensation levels, the company also provides signing bonuses for some employees; new employee referral bonuses (to $6,000 for some positions); share-purchase plan for all employees; defined contribution pension plan with employer contributions (up to 5% of salary); life & disability insurance; home computer purchase discounts; hotel room discounts (to 24% off posted rates); and year-end bonuses for some positions.

Accenture's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. The company's health benefits plan is managed by Manulife Financial. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. The health plan is a flexible plan with adjustable premiums and coverage levels. Employees who work 14 hours per week receive coverage. There is no waiting period before coverage begins. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($300 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. As part of the flexible plan, employees also receive private duty nursing (to $10,000 per year), orthopedic shoes and smoking cessation drug coverage. Accenture's family-friendly benefits include; fertility treatments; maternity top-up payments (to 85% of salary for 15 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 85% of salary for 15 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 85% of salary for 15 weeks); health benefits during maternity and parental leave. Employees also receive their full salary during the two week waiting period prior to commencement of their employment insurance benefits. Additional family-friendly benefits include; flexible working hours; telecommuting; 35-hour work week (with full pay); shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week; state-of-the-art "Tele-Presence" rooms with large plasma screens and multiple cameras to create an in-office feeling for home-based and traveling employees; and a weekend travel home policy for employees who work outside of their home city.

New employees receive 2 weeks of vacation allowance after their first year. Vacation increases after 3 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 4 weeks of vacation each year. Employees receive 2 personal days off, as scheduled by their employer. Employees receive 5 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. Depending on their position, some employees start at 4 weeks of paid vacation.

Accenture's employee engagement program is rated as above-average. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 6 months. Managers receive training in how to conduct effective performance reviews. Performance feedback is also solicited from co-workers and other managers familiar with each employee's work. As part of the review process employees can provide confidential feedback on their manager's performance. Exit interview provided for departing employees. Along with annual performance bonus programs for managers and executives, the company also maintains performance bonus programs for employees that is linked to individual and overall corporate performance. Exceptional employee performance is recognized through a formal 'points-program' that features points that are redeemable for a range of products and services. Employees may also recognize their colleagues' hard work through the "Thank a Colleague" peer recognition program. Accenture sponsors its own in-house employee satisfaction survey. (Surveys are conducted every 12 months); Accenture hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

Accenture's training and skills development program is rated as very good. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. In addition to tuition subsidies, employee can take advantage of subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; formal mentoring program; new employee orientation program; formal mangement training program.

Accenture's community involvement program is rated as exceptional. Every year, the company and its employees direct support to a variety of local, national and international initiatives. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Employees receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organizations. Last year, employees donated over 3,345 hours volunteering with charitable projects. Approximately 42 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. Employees and the firm directed their energy and financial support to assist community groups, various non-profit organizations, youth initiatives, immigrant resource groups and skills building programs for children living with disabilities. In addition to financial support, Accenture employees apply their expertise to help charitable organizations better administer and deliver their services. In the past year, employees supported a variety of initiatives across the country including the United Way, the Terry Fox Foundation, Junior Achievement, Engineers Without Borders, ACCES Employment, Immigrant Services Calgary, Breast Cancer Society of Canada, Fredericton Food Bank, Niagara Regional Literacy Council, and Autism Canada, to name a few.