Big Four Firm Promotes True Leadership

Today PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) launched Project “Make [responsibility] Count”. This two-day community outreach initiative in New Orleans involves 150 partners, staff and college students from across the country assisting in the city’s ongoing recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina. The project is part of PwC’s larger commitment to create responsible leadership by promoting a culture of volunteerism, youth education and leadership development.

The initiative is being coordinated locally with HandsOn New Orleans and will provide assistance at four locations in the city, each relating to one of the four core pillars of PwC’s Corporate Responsibility commitment: Marketplace, People, Communities and Environment.

Students participating in the program were randomly selected through a nationwide campaign that PwC conducted using Facebook and on-campus events at colleges and universities across the country.

“PwC recognizes that college students today are actively looking for an employer whose brand and reputation is synonymous with being a responsible corporate citizen,” said Shannon Schuyler, Managing Director for Corporate Responsibility at PricewaterhouseCoopers. “Being a leader is about taking deliberate actions that help to build a sustainable future for our communities, which is why we are committed to a long-term investment in community service efforts in New Orleans that started immediately after Katrina.”

PwC also tripled the time dedicated to firm-sponsored community service programs for all 31,000 partners and staff by creating a “Summer of Community Service.” This community service program spans the months of May through July. Previously, the program occurred during June and was called the Month of Community Service. Additionally, the firm will continue to provide 10 hours of paid time off for staff to donate their time and skills toward personal causes in the community.

“Today, students are looking at a company’s investments in community outreach and sustainability,” added Schuyler. “Our CR efforts allow us to give the full picture of the PwC experience — there are high expectations to deliver superior quality work products, but also to demonstrate responsible leadership by excelling in an inclusive work environment, giving back to our communities, and respecting the environment.”

As a former Big Six (I’m old) recruitee and proud alum, I am impressed that the accountants and consultants are embracing true leadership. They have to if they want to attract the top talent.

Image Credit: Editor B, Flickr