Accenture and KPMG named among Canada's Top 100 Employers

Accenture and KPMG have been named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers (2019), according to a survey among professionals working in both the private and public sector. The two professional services giants are the only two consulting firms that breached the prestigious list.

Since 1999, Toronto-based publisher Mediacorp has been conducting its annual ‘Canada's Top 100 Employers’ research and rankings. The ranking’s goal is to identify the country’s best employers, with workplaces evaluated on eight criteria: (1) Physical Workplace; (2) Work Atmosphere & Communications; (3) Financial Benefits & Compensation; (4) Health & Family Benefits; (5) Vacation & Time-Off; (6) Employee Engagement & Performance; (7) Training & Skills Development; and (8) Community Involvement.

Based on the survey’s results, Mediacorp’s researchers annually identify the 100 employers in Canada that stand out from the rest. “These companies provide a catalogue of best practices for employers and job-seekers alike, including the most progressive and forward-thinking benefits, workplaces, and programs,” said Richard Yerema, who oversees the competition.

Among this year's top employers are some of Canada’s biggest banks (RBC, TD Bank, Desjardins), a large number of public sector organizations (BC Public Service, City of Toronto, Yukon Government, Canada Revenue, Bank of Canada), big retailers (Loblaws, Best Buy, Canadian Tire), and tech companies (Salesforce, Adobe, Shopify, Ubisoft).Two consulting firms made the list of top employers: management and technology consultancy Accenture and accounting and consulting firm KPMG. Globally, Accenture has 459,000 employees and US$39.6 billion in annual revenues, while KPMG has 189,000 worldwide staff and US$25.42 billion in revenues. Accenture has 4,800 employees in its Canadian offices, while KPMG has 7,000.

Accenture received an ‘A’ ranking in the categories of Work Atmosphere & Communications, Health & Family Benefits, Employee Engagement & Performance, and Training & Skills Development, while receiving an ‘A+’ in Community Involvement. Meanwhile, the company received a ‘B’ for Vacation & Time-Off, and a ‘B+’ for Physical Workplace and Financial Benefits & Compensation.

Accenture was lauded for investing in workforce development, spending over $3000 per person on training last year – including tuition subsidies, formal mentoring, and leadership training. The consultancy was also praised for its industry-leading parental leave top-up payments (up to 16 weeks), as well as its corporate citizenship initiative Skills to Succeed – an international effort to build employment skills which has already reached 2.2 million people worldwide.

“At Accenture we strive to be a place where our people can navigate and grow their careers while we collectively help our clients solve their most significant challenges,” commented Bill Morris, president of Accenture in Canada.

KPMG, meanwhile, received an ‘A’ in Financial Benefits & Compensation, Health & Family Benefits, Vacation & Time-Off, Employee Engagement & Performance, and Physical Workplace, as well as an ‘A+’ for Work Atmosphere & Communications, Training & Skills Development, and Community Involvement.

The Big Four consultancy was praised for committing to the wellbeing of its workforce, recently appointing a Chief Mental Health Officer to support the company’s progressive mental health strategy. The company was also recognized for its generous adoption subsidy (up to $20,000), maternity top-up payments (17 weeks at 100% salary), and its corporate social responsibility strategy – which includes a Community Leader Award that matches donations and provides flexibility to volunteer during the work day.

“Our commitment to provide a supportive and innovative workplace for our people has been recognized year after year,” comments KPMG Canada’s website. “KPMG stands behind its inclusive and diverse culture and these achievements could not be realized without our people and their endless commitment to the firm and community.”

Other firms recognized as Top 100 Employers in Canada included media & telecom giants Bell and Rogers, food and beverage companies Labatt and PepsiCo, and auto manufacturers Ford and Toyota.