Dysfunctional audit environment with inadequate structure — not a sustainable place for professionals
Pros
- Western Union is a recognizable name that may carry weight on a résumé - Subsidized lunch is nice a good office location - Managers and coworkers were kind, respectful people doing their best in a difficult environment
Cons
- The internal audit function operates with limited independence, often facing pressure from other parts of the business that undermines objectivity. - There is no meaningful onboarding. New hires are expected to “just ask questions” and figure things out on their own (often in uncomfortable or unclear settings). - Audit methodology and documentation are weak and inconsistently applied. While some materials exist, there are no strong, guiding procedures to ensure quality or consistency. - Due to high turnover and poor resource planning, audit schedules are constantly shifting. Audits are rushed, and risk matrices are often incomplete during planning. They are routinely updated mid-fieldwork due to unrealistic scoping and lack of preparation time. - Managers are stretched far too thin. They are good people, but unable to provide consistent support or coaching due to the overwhelming workload. - There’s a pervasive culture of overwork. Both staff and leadership feel pressure to work weekends and during vacation. Time off is discouraged in practice, even if not explicitly. - Because audit work spans multiple time zones, you often have to join very early morning meetings. Time overlap is limited, making collaboration difficult and adding stress to already tight deadlines. - The CEO has implemented building entry/exit monitoring, effectively creating a “butts in seats” culture. This approach focuses on tracking time in the office rather than actual results and does little to improve productivity or morale. - During a peak deadline, staff were told they might lose their entire Christmas break due to delays, which is an example of reactive leadership and poor workload planning. - The audit department is seen in a negative light across the company. This perception impacts how audit is treated and makes it harder to get things done. - This is not a good place to learn or grow. There is little structure, guidance, or investment in employee development. - More broadly, Western Union is behind competitors in innovation, systems, and strategic direction. Anyone considering employment here should research the company’s financial performance and declining market position over the last several years.
