U.S. — EY plans to spend $100 million to reward U.S. employees who develop human skills and experiment with technology. Individuals and teams whose work makes a material difference to the firm can receive cash awards of up to $25,000.

Individuals can also earn spot awards of up to $500. "How we reward our people defines what we value as a firm. And what we value are confident professionals who continuously push themselves to learn fast and drive a lasting impact," EY Americas Chief Talent and Culture Officer Ginnie Carlier said. "With these awards, we are empowering our EY professionals to bring a curious mindset to their work, to challenge what is possible and to ultimately shape the future of EY US."

Professional services firms including PwC, KPMG, and BambooHR are emphasizing human skills like critical thinking and judgment as essential for career advancement in the age of AI. 76% of KPMG's latest summer intern cohort said future career success will require both strong human skills and the ability to effectively direct AI. KPMG is a provider of audit, legal, tax advisory, financial, and business advisory services.

Despite the recognition of AI's utility, concerns about its impact on cognitive abilities persist within the industry. 43% of KPMG's latest summer intern cohort worried that overreliance on technology could limit their critical-thinking abilities. "For early-career professionals who aspire to leadership roles, the ability to evaluate information, apply context, exercise sound judgment and explain the ‘why’ behind a recommendation will be critical," KPMG U.S. national partner-in-charge of university talent acquisition Derek Thomas said. "Those are the capabilities that help people earn trust and grow into leadership roles."

The emphasis on human skills coincides with data indicating instability in the finance and accounting hiring market. A BambooHR survey found that one-third of new accounting and finance hires quit within their first year. The same survey found a 3-to-1 ratio of senior-level hires to entry-level hires in accounting and finance.

Why It Matters

The financial commitment by EY and the survey data from KPMG and BambooHR illustrate a broader shift in how professional services firms view workforce development during technological integration. The $100 million investment targets the specific behaviors firms believe are necessary to maintain service quality and client trust as AI tools become more prevalent. With one-third of new finance hires leaving within a year, the focus on judgment and critical thinking may serve as a retention strategy by differentiating roles that require human oversight from those that can be automated.

The disparity between senior and entry-level hiring ratios suggests a potential bottleneck in career progression for new professionals. By rewarding the development of human skills, firms aim to accelerate the readiness of early-career employees for leadership positions. This approach addresses the concern that overreliance on technology could erode the foundational skills needed to evaluate information and apply context, which remain critical for long-term career success in the sector.

Timeline

On September 1, 2025, PwC U.S. talent acquisition and development leader Margaret Burke stated that AI needs people who can think critically, ask better questions, and apply judgment. On the same date, Burke described the period as a moment for learning agility and noted that helping a team move forward in the face of change constitutes leadership.

What's New

Additional reporting includes statements from EY leadership regarding the strategic intent behind the investment. EY Americas CEO and U.S. managing partner Dante D'Egidio said the investment reinforces the firm's commitment to building the workforce of the future by recognizing the skills and behaviors needed to lead the profession and serve clients with excellence. D'Egidio also stated that the pace and complexity of change in the industry require confident leadership. Contextual information identifies KPMG as a provider of audit, legal, tax advisory, financial, and business advisory services.