BDO Malaysia (Audit) - If you are thinking of joining do not waste your time and energy
Pros
Newly furnished cafe which looks nice.
Cons
For those considering joining, it may not be advisable, especially if you are not fluent in Chinese, as the audit department comprises individuals—whether partners or staff—who are predominantly monolingual in Chinese and may have limited exposure to international perspectives. Conversations may lack depth and engagement, and integrating into the department or team could prove challenging. There appears to be an expectation for conformity/submission within the culture, and vocal individuals may struggle to thrive. If you are looking for a wholesome, well-rounded employment experience, you might find better opportunities elsewhere. Career progression here seems heavily influenced by internal perspectives; therefore, if you are seeking substantial growth and are willing to invest your energy, you may wish to consider other options. Office politics and instances of bullying are prevalent. Voicing concerns can often lead to indirect repercussions or revengeful retaliatory actions from certain members of the staffing team. Less favorable engagements are typically assigned to newer/remaining staff, while preferred engagements tend to be reserved for select, homegrown employees aligned with influential partners. Staff allocations appear to prioritize internal interests, often resulting in teams with less experienced members, such as new AAs paired with newer/remaining employees, which will impact project delivery. The allocation team seems to operate with its own agenda, and there is a noticeable misalignment between partners and managers. Although partners are aware of staffing shortages, minimal action is taken to address these issues, as the primary focus remains on billing. This environment can take a toll on mental well-being, as the odds are stacked against you. While HR's efforts are commendable, there appears to be a clear disconnect between the audit team and HR, suggesting they may not fully understand the challenges facing the audit department. Although the firm presents itself as an international organization, its mindset may feel restrictive and less open to external suggestions. Each year, there appears to be a decline in both the experience level and number of team members within engagement teams. Additionally, younger female partners often exhibit a high level of assertiveness, placing increased demands on employees, both mentally and financially. Among the partners, independent stances may be rare, as they may feel compelled to align with a group mentality to secure resources for their engagements or simply to maintain the status quo. What is depicted on LinkedIn reflects HR’s perspective and may not fully capture the actual dynamics within the audit department. The audit department is currently experiencing significant turnover, to manage the workload, support has been enlisted from the Vietnam office, though the quality of work does not always meet expected standards.