Stay Away from Transfer Pricing - Anonymous employee BDO Employee Review

1.0
Jun 4, 2018
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I worked in transfer pricing at BDO USA, LLP. BDO is generally competitive with the Big 4 accounting firms in terms of salary and benefits, maybe slightly less. The office atmosphere was generally positive, and there are many good, intelligent people working for the company.

Cons

The leaders of the transfer pricing group are classic bullies. Soon after I began I was told that the guiding metaphor for the group was that one employee was always to be singled out as the "wounded wildebeest"--the employee that management, the keepers of this metaphor, wanted to hunt down and kill. They followed through on this approach to management: there was always one employee being targeted for dismissal, often based on purported underperformance that existed only in the minds of management. I was continually told that I was "too nice" to my subordinates because I refused to join in the predatory environment. I was also told that regardless of my actual performance I would never be promoted. Who would want to stay in such an environment?

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May 11, 2026
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Pros

Flexible work schedule and great leadership

Cons

Workload sometimes is a lot, but that is normal for the industry.

3.0
Jun 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
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Pros

Not everyone will be your person, but the ones who are, you'll keep them for life. The intensity of the work forges real bonds. When you go through the grind together, those friendships/mentorship stick long after you've moved on. Same goes for upper management.

Cons

During busy season (approx Jan to April), 40 hours is a floor, not a ceiling, and that's pretty standard for firms of this type. On the consulting side, you're constantly juggling multiple clients with overlapping deadlines, so if time management isn't your strong suit, you'll feel it fast. Compensation is solidly middle-of-the-road; don't expect it to wow you.

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