Ending Soon! Save 33% on All Access

Ernst & Young to Cut 3,000 Jobs Due To 'Overcapacity' and 'Current Economic Conditions' The layoffs will impact nearly 5% of the accounting giant's workforce.

By Madeline Garfinkle

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

TOLGA AKMEN | Getty Images

Global consulting firm Ernst & Young (EY) said on Monday that it is cutting around 3,000 jobs in the U.S., impacting about 5% of its workforce.

According to multiple outlets, the company cited "overcapacity" and "the impact of current economic conditions" as contributing factors in the decision.

The job cuts come days after EY announced plans to overhaul its business by breaking up its auditing and consulting services. In September, the company announced intentions to split up divisions over regulatory conflicts of interest from the auditing and consulting arms of the business — a move dubbed "Project Everest."

However, early last week, the break-up plan was called off, per The Financial Times.

Related: Laid-Off Googlers Reportedly Won't Get Paid for Previously Approved Parental Leaves — And They're Trying To Do Something About It

"We have been informed that the US executive committee has decided not to move forward with the design of Project Everest," the company wrote in the note, which was seen by the Financial Times. "Given the strategic importance of the US member firm to Project Everest, we are stopping work on the project."

As for the current layoffs, the company said the decision was unrelated to the review, but it was "part of the ongoing management of the business," per BBC.

EY is not the only consulting firm trimming its workforce. Last month, McKinsey & Co. announced it would be cutting nearly 19,000 jobs, and, in February, KPMG announced 700 job cuts, Bloomberg reported.

Madeline Garfinkle

News Writer

Madeline Garfinkle is a News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate from Syracuse University, and received an MFA from Columbia University. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

'Creators Left So Much Money on the Table': Kickstarter's CEO Reveals the Story Behind the Company's Biggest Changes in 15 Years

In an interview with Entrepreneur, Kickstarter CEO Everette Taylor explains the decision-making behind the changes, how he approaches leading Kickstarter, and his advice for future CEOs.

Business Ideas

87 Service Business Ideas to Start Today

Get started in this growing industry, with options that range from IT consulting to childcare.

Business Models

How to Become an AI-Centric Business (and Why It's Crucial for Long-Term Success)

Learn the essential steps to integrate AI at the core of your operations and stay competitive in an ever-evolving landscape.

Marketing

5 Steps to Preparing an Engaging Industry Presentation

You can make a great impression and generate interest with an exciting, informative presentation. Find out my five secrets to creating an industry presentation guaranteed to wow.