EY allocates $100 million in employee rewards for human skills

KPMG and PwC similarly emphasize critical thinking, judgment

Ernst & Young’s U.S. division will invest $100 million this fiscal year in employee rewards to recognize skills such as adaptability, innovation and judgment, as well as experimentation with artificial intelligence, the professional-services firm said Monday.

Individuals can earn spot awards up to $500. Individuals and teams that make a material difference to the firm can receive cash awards ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 — five times previous award maximums — EY said.

“This isn’t a problem that can be solved with a training course or a single program; it’s going to take a sustainable, radical change,” said Ginnie Carlier, EY Americas’ chief talent and culture officer.

The new bonus program reflects a broader shift at the major professional-services firms. KPMG revamped its U.S. audit internship training this summer to focus more on teaching critical thinking and judgment. Earlier this year, PwC U.S. rolled out a curriculum meant to emphasize AI skills alongside traits like empathy and creativity.

EY says its aim with the rewards is to recognize “the skills and behaviors that matter most to the future of the firm and its clients.” Employees can nominate colleagues at any level, with no cap on the total an individual can receive, according to Carlier.

“What we recognize signals what we value,” Carlier said.

The reward program is part of a broader effort to change training and development at EY at every level, from interns to senior leaders. The firm has invested in immersive boot camps for AI, data and software-engineering professionals and recently announced a “career residency” that will include up to 12 months of additional training after the standard eight-week internship, intended to give young employees more coaching and practical experience.

EY said 95% of its partners have completed experiential, in-person sessions on how AI can revamp business models, workflows and operating models.

The firm reported that its AI-related revenue rose 30% year-over-year in 2025, the most recent data available. Artificial intelligence is also prompting many professional-services firms to shift parts of their business from hourly billing to outcomes-based pricing, since AI is reducing the time required for routine parts of the job.