Vault’s Verdict

Protiviti is a consulting firm where the vision for and investment in the firm’s people is just as strong as the services provided to clients. Training is a major emphasis of this firm, and Protiviti makes a concerted effort to ensure that its consultants are well-versed in the latest industry trends and technologies. The firm excels at recognizing disruptive technologies and using these emerging trends as learning opportunities for staff. The firm strives to make sure that everyone is able to have at least a baseline discussion with clients about the newest and most innovative solutions for virtually any project.

Protiviti’s emphasis on culture keeps employee morale high. Employees are kept in the loop by leadership concerning strategy and direction. Insiders believe that it is the culture, and how the people collaborate with their mutual desire to drive impact for clients, that truly sets Protiviti apart. Outlook for the firm is largely positive—meaning more growth in the near future—but it is the supportive, familial culture that makes this an exciting and rewarding firm to consider.

Firm Culture

• “Benefits of a small company with the ability to be in charge of your own career and have direct relationships with upper management, yet with all the opportunities of a big company.”

• “Company culture is amazing. The CEO is extremely visible and everyone in the firm can feel part of something special.”

• “I think the biggest factor that sets us apart from our competitors is how genuinely supportive of each other we are at Protiviti. We embrace our differences, celebrate our diversity, and encourage everyone to strive for their career goals. There is no back talk. There is no hostility. We are a firm that champions our people while helping our clients stride into the future with confidence.”

• “Protiviti is a great place to work. You will learn quickly and build professional skills. Throughout my three-and-a-half year career, I have consistently been challenged and have worked with clients in over eight industries.”

• “Our individual teams do a great job at creating a family environment. Management challenges and pushes you while also being open and flexible to your work/life balance.”

• “Whether you are a new hire or experienced hire coming into Protiviti, your life outside of work means something to the people here at Protiviti.”

Quality of Life

• "It's fairly easy to take time off as long as you schedule it out in advance.”

• "One of the best aspects of Protiviti's quality of life is how easy it is to take time off and the amount of vacation time that Protiviti gives its employees. In the past, I've worked at companies where taking time off was a hassle, but it's an easy process at Protiviti. My managers have even accommodated me needing to take time off on short notice. Another great aspect of Protiviti's quality of life is in regards to the social events that Protiviti organized for employees outside of the office. We've gone to SkyZone, participated in charity runs, gone on hikes, and attended happy hours together. These company-organized social events help employees build relationships.”

• "Travel can be extensive, but Protiviti does a good job of working with people depending on if they want to travel or wish to stay local. As we have many offices around the country, it is easy to find resources from other areas if needed. Additionally, many offices have the ability to keep individuals staffed locally on projects so those wishing not to travel do not have to. I do feel like I have the ability to take all of my vacation, and if I don't for whatever reason, I am able to carry over unused vacation days to the next year.”

• “Protiviti rewards its employees for frequent travel by providing points that can be redeemed for useful items online. Protiviti leadership also rewards employees who go above and beyond for the  client and for their teammates by providing awards and points to be redeemed.”

• “There is a lot of emphasis on work/life balance. Most employees have families and have ability to modify work schedule to accommodate activities. It is very easy for me to take time off.”

• “Work life balance is excellent. The firm is very flexible and vacation is easy to take especially with advanced notice.  The worst aspect is that expectations for overtime and weekend work is starting to increase, at least in some offices.”

Career Development

• “The promotion process at Protiviti is based on each individual's own career path and readiness to move up, rather than availability of openings at higher levels. At Protiviti, you are in charge of your own career, meaning you can move up the ladder much more quickly than at some other industry firms.”

• "We have a proven path with defined competencies for people to achieve to progress. We are a meritocracy with very defined and proven ways to advance. We have strong diversity and inclusion programs that are core to how we operate. Because we are smaller than some of our larger competitors, sometimes we all have to roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirtier than we may want!"

• "From day one, Protiviti takes an active role in your career development. You are aligned with peer advisors before your first day and then continue to work with career and executive advisors throughout your time with the firm. Coaching and development is a cornerstone to Protiviti culture, and it is often the case that unassigned managers take an active interest in the career development of staff. At times, you're staffed on a single client for extended periods of time. While great for building client development skills, being exposed to broad array of clients and engagements is crucial in the long run career development. Protiviti does a good job at cycling their staff through an array of opportunities; however, it is inevitable that at times you may be staffed at one client continuously."

• “Protiviti has a very well-established mentoring process, which includes three advisers (peer, career and executive advisers). Protiviti also requires a lot of feedback provided by your team if you have worked at least 80 hours on an engagement. Protiviti also allows for anonymous upward feedback to managers.”

• "The best aspect is that we are encouraged and financially rewarded for obtaining additional training. There is a lot of ability to grow and move on to good opportunities. The worst aspect is that international engagements can be limited by which practice you are in, and are limited in number. It can be difficult and/or time consuming to move to different practices within the company."

• “We have outstanding training opportunities, both internal and external.  We have a great on-boarding practice for experienced hires that follows us through our entire first year and ensure that we create a sense of belonging and engagement.  We focus on providing our team members with great client-facing opportunities to develop their skills on the job in a strong team setting.”

Compensation

• “Great salary progression. 401(k) could be better. They currently only match one third of your contribution while many companies match 100%.”

• “Huge signing and end-of-year bonuses. We’re also partially compensated for our phone bill. The worst aspect is no reimbursement for parking or transportation.”

•  “In line with the encouragement of a strong work life balance, Protiviti offers informal flexible hours and remote work arrangements (informal meaning as long as your project manager approves, you don't need a formal arrangement in place). This could mean making up hours during the week if you need to leave early or working from home if you're on a deadline, have after-work commitments, or have been traveling frequently.” In addition, employees are eligible for a bonus every year. Worst: 401k match has gotten better but is still lagging behind what other companies offer. "

• "Some of the best aspects include salary progression, reimbursement for two certifications, including a bonus for the first. Some of the not-so-great aspects include having to pay for parking and no reimbursement.”

• “The best parts of our compensation are salary progression and bonuses, which have been paid out in full for over 5 years. The worst aspect is that the 401k() program is weak compared to most industries (though it aligns with our industry) and we do not have some of the more unique and cool benefits such as ESOP or free food/beverages.”

• Medical coverage and 401(k) matching are average or slightly below average compared to other similar firms.  Protiviti's main benefits are related to flexibility of working hours, time off (we get 20+ days of choice time off, plus 10 holidays), and they offer a one-to-three month sabbatical program to any employee after the first year of employment.”

Outlook

• “Our firm leadership is transparent and keeps all offices in the loop with upcoming strategy changes and innovative technologies.”

• “Protiviti is a young firm that is not stuck in traditional ways. We are adapting to changing needs, environments, and clients.”

• “Protiviti is very innovative and always doing research, conducting trainings and publishing articles to ensure that our people are up-to-date on the latest trends and technology advancements.”

• “The firm's leadership is very strong and has great strategic vision to move us forward. The focus on innovation and digitalization is extremely important to keep us competitive in the market.”

• “We have the opportunity to grow significantly in many markets. We are consistently winning work from other firms, and there is no reason that shouldn't continue (assuming the macroeconomic outlook is positive), as our clients are satisfied with our work and are buying more work from us.”

• “Within our office, our market outlook is high and we are continually winning out work from larger firms. We have maintained a great market share and are constantly hiring people because of the amount of work we are currently winning.”

Hiring Process

•  “I think we have a strong and effective interview process. The interviews are rigorous but fair, and we turn around a decision within a week or so, typically. The ideal candidate is someone who is able to communicate comfortably about anything, who is able to work agreeably with a team, and someone who is enjoyable to interact with.”

• “Our ideal candidate would not only be knowledgeable in the solution we are hiring for, but would demonstrate leadership, character, and would fit well in the Protiviti culture.”

• “Protiviti focuses strongly on a candidate's alignment with the firm values and culture. Protiviti understands that many people are academically capable of performing work. However, what sets Protiviti apart and makes it the unique, successful firm it is, is our people.”

• “The ideal candidate differs based on the current needs of the office and firm. However, the firm overall is looking for individuals that are self-motivated, hardworking, and smart, with a great personality and strong teaming skills.”

• “The interview process, for me, was smooth and quick. I believe the firm's ideal candidate is someone who is willing to learn and remain professional for the purposes of interfacing with the client. Our culture requires someone who is approachable and willing to take initiative and take constructive criticism.”

•  “We call every candidate to let them know the result of their interview. We are seeking candidates who love to learn, enjoy solving problems in collaboration with others, and have strong analytical skills.”

Interview Tips & Questions

• “All of our new hires will go through a case study that they are given beforehand. During the interview, we ask them questions to learn their thought process.”

• “Our case studies and interview questions are standard. One unique aspect of our interview process for campus hires is to require them to pitch their business case to the entire group of candidates and Protiviti management.”

• “Problem-solving case study where process flows are reviewed and areas for improvement are identified. Situational and personality-based interview questions.”

• "Tell me about three recent things you are particularly proud of, and how you achieved these. Tell me about a time you had to work with others to get something done. Tell me about a time when you disagreed with someone on how to perform a task, and how did you work through it.”

• "Typical interview includes a group presentation with other candidates in front of the office. Interviewees must also meet with three employees at the manager level or above. One interview comprises of a case question where prospects are to identify process deficiencies in an example company.”

• “We structure our campus hiring into two components: a behavioral interview and a case study. The behavioral interview focuses on understanding how a candidate is able to articulate any process they are familiar with, as being able to communicate a process effectively is crucial for our job. The case study allows us to challenge a candidate to think through the various risks a client may face.”