Pros
My comments refer to the Finance organization of AT&T (everybody reporting to the CFO): it includes hundreds of FP&A (financial planning & analysis) and accounting professionals, plus specialized finance functions such as treasury and pension plan management. Stable company with ample opportunities for lateral movement, high degree of professionalism, good place to develop corporate and functional skills, decent package of salary + benefits, company is respected worldwide, telecommunications is an interesting industry. Being such a large company with thousands of jobs openings at any given time and dozens of offices, AT&T usually work with you to find a new position if your job is "right-sized" or if your life and interests change. The culture is for the most part collegial and respectful of work-life balance. AT&T offers tuition reimbursement for approved higher-education degree programs and reimbursement for successful completion of CPA and CFA certifications. The company will also cover the ongoing fees for keeping the CPA and CFA designations.
Cons
Large, bureaucratic, conservative, not very good at flexible work arrangements and telecommuting. While there are plenty of good jobs at the "individual contributor" level, odds for landing supervisory jobs ('Director level") at AT&T Finance are long If you are not identified as one of the "golden boys and gals" in the first few years of employment, chances for promotion are essentially nil. As a result, a number of experienced, accomplished individual contributors leave after a few years to explore positions of more responsibility somewhere else. Package of benefits is still good (pension plan +401(k) match is a great combination!) but it is becoming increasingly less rich for managers. Everything from relocation packages to health care co-payments has been under pressure the last few years... a trend I see continuing. At least in the Finance organization, do not expect a generous training budget for experienced professionals. Good luck on trying to have a conference or special course approved.
