Cash bonuses, extra holiday, a weekend in Paris — there is a list of incentives to encourage staff at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to perform well. But the job itself is reward enough — our survey shows employees find their work stimulating (a 74% positive score) and are proud to work for the firm (83%), the latter score topped by just one other big firm.

The professional services firm’s head office is in London, with 35 other sites around the UK. It provides assurance, tax and advisory services to clients including public and private companies, central and local government, banks and private equity houses, individuals and not-for-profit organisations. Staff say they are fully involved at work (74%) and feel their jobs are secure (76%).

Although they feel they spend too much time working, giving this question just a 46% positive score, staff get a great deal of support — both in terms of wellbeing and on the professional development front. They feel the company really tries to help them (77%) — a result that ranks PwC fourth — and say work does not have a negative impact on their health (70%).

To help people adopt a healthier lifestyle, PwC has developed a Zest for Life wellbeing initiative, and a health and fitness team provides marathon training for those who want a challenge.

Development is part of the culture of the company and is highly valued by staff, who say their job is good for their personal growth (82%). PwC believes it offers better development opportunities than any other organisation — a claim supported this year by a £42m investment in learning facilities. Employees say the experience they gain at the firm is valuable for their future (82%). The four-year PwC business diploma is run in association with the Centre for Management Development at London Business School. This is specifically for managers, and staff find the training of great personal benefit (76%), ranking PwC second for this.

People’s efforts to help good causes outside the business are supported (73%) and employees say PwC is run on strong principles (76%).

A strong commitment to giving something back sees PwC in the 20th year of membership of the One Percent Club, whereby it annually donates at least 1% of its net worth to community activities, with the aim of improving educational achievement and employability among young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

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