KPMG trainees furious after audit arm axes £1,000 bonus
TRAINEES at KPMG were “furious” when they learned the Big Four accountancy giant would not be paying them the £1,000 bonus it usually gives to its highest performers.
Adrian Stone, chief operating officer of the audit practice, broke the bad news to trainees via email at 4.15pm on Wednesday afternoon. The subject header read “First Time Pass Bonus”. The message was marked “confidential”.
“As you may be aware, our trading performance in the audit function has come under significant pressure from the challenging economic situation we are experiencing in the UK,” Stone wrote.
“As a result of this KPMG will be exercising its discretion under the training agreement and with immediate effect a discretionary bonus will not be paid this year to acknowledge achievement of first time passes in professional exams.”
In a sign of tough times at the audit division, Stone said he would only consider reinstating the bonus if the group managed to “hit its budget contribution for the full year”.
Stone continued: “I know you will be disappointed that the firm is not exercising its discretion to pay a first time pass bonus.
“However, I do hope that you will understand the balance which we are attempting to achieve between the interests of specific groups of team members and our overall team.”
One trainee told City A.M.: “Staff in the UK are furious, with emails flying across the UK offices. The feeling amongst staff is that the senior leadership appear increasingly out of touch from those in the lower grades.”