Those in leadership positions regularly reinforce the importance of performing quality work, complying with professional standards, adhering to policies and leading by example.
The EY approach is based on shared values involving:
- People who demonstrate integrity, respect and teaming
- People with energy, enthusiasm and the courage to lead
- People who build relationships based on doing the right thing
These values and the commitment to audit quality are embedded in everything the organization does.
Every two years, the EY organization conducts a Global People Survey. The most recent survey, conducted in 2019, found that 86% of people in the Assurance service line agreed that EY has created an inclusive environment where people with diverse backgrounds and experiences can succeed. This is an increase of four percentage points compared to the previous comparable survey, which was conducted in 2017.
Culture
The EY culture strongly supports collaboration and emphasizes the importance of consultation when dealing with complex or subjective accounting, auditing, reporting, regulatory and independence matters.
Culture plays a large part in defining an organization. A positive and healthy culture means people feel engaged and supported, free to speak up and be themselves at work. Recognizing the importance of a strong culture, EY leadership commissioned a Global Culture Assessment to understand the views of EY people.
Inclusive culture
86%of people in the Assurance service line agreed that EY has created an inclusive environment where people with diverse backgrounds and experiences can succeed. (Global People Survey 2019)
The assessment was concluded in early 2019, with more than 24,000 people from the Assurance service line sharing their opinions on what they value personally, how they experience EY’s culture, and what attributes they think are necessary to achieve the greatest potential. To help drive change management and instill expected behaviors, the EY organization has identified and is promoting four key behaviors that reflect the EY culture: serving the public interest; trust and integrity; a curious and questioning mindset; and high-performing teams.
Ethics and integrity
The EY approach to business ethics and integrity is contained in the EY Global Code of Conduct and other policies, and is embedded in training programs, internal communications and the EY culture of consultation.
The EY culture strongly supports collaboration and emphasizes the importance of consultation when dealing with complex or subjective matters.
All auditors at EY member firms around the world are required to confirm compliance with the Global Code of Conduct each year. This discusses how EY people work with one another and the companies audited, act with professional integrity, maintain objectivity and independence and protect confidential information.
The guiding principle is that no client is more important than professional reputation – the reputation of the EY organization and that of each EY auditor.
Summary
Don Zimmerman, EY Global Vice Chair, Professional Practice, explains that the internal and external messages sent by EY leadership, including audit partners, establish and encourage a culture based on a commitment to quality, a dedication to continuous improvement, an emphasis on values, a global mindset and the importance of teaming. By doing this, they set a clear tone at the top.
