The KPMG Way(ang?)

The KPMG Way defines our common purpose and reflects what we stand for and what it means in practice, namely that we are:
Professional. We are knowledgeable, act with integrity, and strive to provide services to the highest professional standards at all times.
Understanding. We develop strong, enduring, and independent working relationships with our clients, both as individuals and as teams.
Challenging. We proactively seek to establish the facts and apply judgment, in order to provide insightful advice.
Successful. We recruit and develop some of the best people and demand the highest standards of performance for our clients and for KPMG.

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This came just when I was about to leave KPMG. A very idealistic but proactive move towards creating a perfect working environment for KPMG staff. Recently an email went around the small city of Singapore of an ex-KPMG auditor complaining to the Head of HR regarding certain instances of ill-treatment resulting in his/her eventual departure after only half a year in KPMG Singapore. The actual email is not posted here because:

1. Contents have not been verified;
2. Should remain P&C (even though it was forwarded by a KPMG staff); and
3. Bias as it came only from the ex-auditor.
   

Amongst the grievances:

1. Lack of guidance given by seniors;
2. Verbal and emotional abuse;
3. Late hours; and
4. Lack of empathy demonstrated by superiors.

The most worrying thing (for me) regarding the email, however, was not the difficult circumstances he/she was in BUT how it relates completely to my situation back in KPMG Singapore. I remember:

1. Working the first weekend I joined KPMG;
2. Spending National Day, Hari Raya, CNY in office;
3. Spending two nights and sleeping on the carpet at the client's place; and
4. Working virtually 18-hours weeks for a good part of the year.

However I do not remember having any desire to pen such a letter. In fact, I had excellent memories of my time in the firm. Seeing many of my colleagues "fighting" alongside me during those late hours, seeing the satisfied faces of my audit clients and having long lunches/coffee breaks bitching about our managers (who are still around). Yet, I asked myself, am I guilty of those charges brought by the ex-auditor? I do remember the insane deadlines and having to leave my juniors to fend for myself while I fend off the managers and clients. Did they ever feel the same and not complain because I was too oppressive? Did I drive them to insane hours causing them to age?

Perhaps these are questions I can never get answers. Hopefully I have been good. =)