Is this an ethical action?

[xtremeski2001]

Currently, my company uses E&Y for our external audit for SOX 404 and other financial complacency auditing.

During the course of the audit, which is still being conducted and has been for quite a few months, I've become some what friendly with both auditors, but more so one over the other.

I was wondering what others thought about a question I have. AFTER the audit is complete next month, I'd like to get in contact with a recruiter from EY. Considering how friendly I've become with one of our auditors (we also went to the same school for undergrad) ... would it be ethical for me to e-mail him and ask about getting in touch with a recruiter?

Thanks for any thoughts!

-Erich

P.S. I've decided to delay getting my CISA certification. I don't have enough experience to get the certification after I pass the test, so I figured I'll get the certification at a date closer to when I'm ready to get an auditing job. In the meantime, I'm going to get an accounting/finance post-baccalaureate certificate from Penn (4 classes at grad level).

[harrywaldron]

Hi Erich - It might work better to directly apply with EY through their Human Resources or online facilities for jobs if there is interest in the future. You can certainly use your friend as a reference, but I'd avoid working directly with him.

Many times if you apply on-line, there might be provisions to indicate company employee referrals. Unless going through a job recruiter is required, I'd avoid that as it adds expense to the job hiring process verses a direct hire.

You can still informally and privately network with your friend for possible openings, etc. These suggestions are mainly to ensure the audit service firm / company relationship isn't impacted.

[xtremeski2001]

[Denis]

I take a contrary view and would not say this is unethical at all. In fact I would not be surprised if E&Y run a referral programme for employees who refer potential candidates to the firm - and thus avoid the exorbitant recruiter fees.

Also lmao at the mental image of financial complacency auditing
_________________
"The art of life is to deal with problems as they arise, rather than destroy one's spirit by worrying about them too far in advance" - Cicero

[harrywaldron]

Denis - You have an eagle eye -- I'm laughing also as I missed the sentence on financial complacency auditing. Yes, I believe Erich has coined a new term I guess those of us in IT can't spell as well as we should

I also didn't see a violation of ethical standards by "networking" with someone in the company (as it's a fairly accepted practices in our "at will" employment environment). Still, I shared my ideas as perhaps a better approach for seeking employment, so that there might not be any impacts in corporate relationships.

[xtremeski2001]

[xtremeski2001]

Update ...

Just thought I'd let you guys know what I did

I contacted an EY recruiter vis-a-vis LinkedIn. We'll see what happens, but at least doing it this way doesn't have an affect on the auditors on site.

[xtremeski2001]

I swear I'm not trying to get my post count up

The recruiter replied to my e-mail and I'm happy to say she is/was very pleasant!

Looks like I made the right call!

If you haven't joined LinkedIn already, you might want to ... so far it's a great tool for networking

[xtremeski2001]

Long story short ... I'm in between a rock and a hard place now.

I spoke to the recruiter and manager at EY in a informal setting (now that 2006s audit is complete) over the phone.

Turns out, they feel it could be problematic if they hire from a company that's also their client. For example, EY doesn't want the client (my company) to be impacted by hiring me because it would appear un-professional and unethical.

This stinks because it appears this particular branch of EY likes me a lot and thinks I'm a great fit. I spoke with the manager last night for close to two hours and I spoke to the recruiter about the current predicament.

In conclusion .... the recruiter and manager are going to talk to the partner and see what they think. Unfortunately, EY isn't hiring for the group I'm interested in at present, so I won't know the end result for a few months.

Just thought some might find the situation interesting.

[harrywaldron]

Hi - I'd definitely recommend patience, continuing to learn as a professional and doing the best job you can at your company. You obviously have good skill sets to have these folks interested and there's always a chance later. It's good particularly in your 1st couple of jobs to have a few years of service and a good track record (verses bouncing from job to job - unless you truly move ahead with each step).

Good luck in the steps ahead and keep investing in your career by taking classes and using learning opportunities where possible

[Chhaava]

Hello

I agree with Dennis. Although, you have followed more than apt due diligence in this matter, there is no ethics violation on your part. Ethically, E & Y should not approach you for getting hired if known to the Senior Management . Who knows your friend at E & Y may have a silent approval from his partner to approach you for you being a valuable resource to Ernst & Young.

Well all the best in this matter and for your CISA (I believe that you can still take the exam as auditing is not the only criteria for certification(as long as you are involved in the control framework). Moreover, CISA governing bodies keep on changing the syllabus for the exam in line with future expectation for the IT industry. I would advise you to keep track of the syllabus and should be prepared to take the exam when the current syllabus is in line with your core competency and preparation. So do not delay in taking the exam.

All the best once again.

[xtremeski2001]

[xtremeski2001]

For anyone interested, the situation has come to a close.

EY has told me that they've decided not to pursue me.

Thanks for everyones help here on this manner!

[Chhaava]

It is okay. We are better off pursuing opportunities with direct clients rather than with Big 4, as their business from SOX outsourcing is coming to an end as more and mre clients are bringing sustenance inhouse.

I have been given to understand that market for us is going to open soon for this inhouse sustenance.

All the best.

[xtremeski2001]

Well, after looking around and interviewing for non-big4 firms, I was just made an offer an accepted. While some of my work will be SOX related, it's only ~30%.