The data shows that 10 out of 12 lobbyists in 2023 and 10 out of 11 in 2024 had held government positions. This revolving door increases the risk of conflicts of interest and suggests an orientation towards maintaining established power structures, which undermines democratic oversight.

Ernst & Young Profile: Summary • OpenSecrets

Ernst & Young's PAC political contributions, while distributed between both major parties, include a slightly higher allocation to Republican candidates. From an anti-fascist perspective, these contributions are problematic because they facilitate significant corporate influence over federal electoral politics, potentially enabling candidates with authoritarian leanings to gain power. The data underscores concerns over corporate leveraging of political funds to shape policies in ways that may undermine democratic accountability.

Ernst & Young PAC Contributions to Federal Candidates • OpenSecrets

The contribution amount reported by the PAC is very small ($300), indicating minimal involvement in political funding. Although the existence of a PAC ties the company to political contributions, the negligible funds involved do not clearly support any significant authoritarian or far‐right political agenda. As such, this event has been rated neutrally.

ERNST & YOUNG POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE - committee overview

Ernst & Young’s substantial lobbying expenditure of $1.7M in 2024 underscores significant corporate political activity that may contribute to entrenching corporate influence over policy-making. From an anti-fascist perspective, such efforts can undermine transparent democratic processes and worker interests, warranting a negative score.

Ernst & Young Lobbying Profile • OpenSecrets

EY’s decision to boost its political donations by 75% to almost $228,000—especially when contrasted with PwC’s move to cease contributions after a scandal—demonstrates a continued commitment to influencing political processes. This persistent financial engagement can enhance corporate influence over policy, potentially undermining transparency and progressive reforms.

Rest of the big four decline to join PwC on political donations ban

The discovery of widespread flaws in EY's US audit practice raises serious concerns over the firm’s business practices and commitment to ethical responsibility. Given that robust audits are crucial for maintaining financial transparency and accountability – key bulwarks against authoritarian exploitation – these shortcomings are significant. Although EY has pledged to shake up its operations, the current lapse in quality reflects a dangerous vulnerability that could undermine the checks necessary to resist autocratic influences.

EY aims to shake up US audit business after ‘unacceptable’ number of flaws

The incident highlights serious ethical lapses in EY's business practices. The penalties for exam cheating and high audit failure rates indicate a disregard for ethical standards, undermining accountability and transparency, which are essential for protecting public interests and preventing abuse of power.

EY Hit With $3M Ethics Penalty; PCAOB Finds Flaws in 46% of EY Audits

Ernst & Young’s enforced forced arbitration policy requires victims of sexual harassment and discrimination to incur high personal costs to have their claims heard, effectively discouraging reporting and denying justice. This practice has been condemned by New York lawmakers as oppressive and harmful to worker rights, reflecting a severe lapse in ethical labor practices and human rights adherence.

New York Lawmakers Blast 'Oppressive' Ernst & Young Over Sex-Abuse Case

The protest centers on union-busting activities of Murphy International Ltd, an associate in EY’s network. Such actions undermine worker rights and demonstrate complicity with hostile labor practices, reflecting negatively on EY’s commitment to ethical labor relations.

Protest in Belfast at Ernst and Young over union-busting by construction company J Murphy and Sons

The review paints a troubling picture of EY’s labor practices, highlighting claims of bullying, sexual harassment, and racism that disproportionately affect marginalized groups. Although CEO Larocca’s apology and promise of change provide a hint of remedial intent, the scale and depth of the toxic culture indicate serious labor rights and human dignity violations, resulting in a strongly negative rating.

Bullied, overworked and subject to racism: EY's toxic culture revealed in landmark external review as firm promises change

The survey highlights systemic labor abuses at EY, where staff are overworked and subjected to bullying and harassment by senior management. This environment undermines worker rights and discourages reporting of misconduct, representing a negative impact on labor relations and human rights practices.

EY staff feel bullied, overworked, afraid to speak up

EY's admission of widespread cheating on CPA ethics exams and its failure to correct misleading submissions during a SEC investigation constitute a serious breach of ethical business practices. This misconduct undermines public trust in the auditing industry and highlights systemic failures in corporate governance.

SEC.gov | Ernst & Young to Pay $100 Million Penalty for Employees Cheating on CPA Ethics Exams and Misleading Investigation

The SEC's charges against EY highlight a significant breach in ethical business practices. By violating auditor independence rules, EY compromised the integrity of financial reporting, thereby eroding trust and accountability. Such misconduct undermines the financial oversight system which is essential for protecting investors and the public from economic mismanagement.

SEC Charges Ernst & Young, Three Audit Partners, and Former Public Company CAO with Audit Independence Misconduct

Under intense pressure from leading advocacy organizations demanding accountability for funding extremism, EY's decision to halt political donations to GOP enablers represents a meaningful step toward reducing corporate support for far-right agendas. This move is viewed positively from an anti-fascist perspective as it helps undermine financial channels that could bolster authoritarian politics.

Leading Advocacy Groups Successfully Pressure 13 Major Corporations to End Political Donations to GOP Enablers Following Insurrection – Color Of Change

Ernst & Young's unit engaged in lobbying congressional staffers on behalf of audit clients, which violates SEC rules and compromises auditor independence. This action reflects unethical political behavior by leveraging undue influence in a regulatory environment, aligning with authoritarian practices in corporate lobbying.

Ernst & Young to Pay $4M Fine Over Lobbying Row - Fox Business

The SEC's charges detail that EY engaged in unauthorized lobbying activities, which undermined auditor independence and compromised the firm’s objectivity. By acting as an advocate for its clients, EY blurred the lines between impartial auditing and political influence, thereby eroding democratic accountability and transparency in corporate practices.

SEC Charges Ernst & Young With Violating Auditor Independence Rules in Lobbying Activities

EY's failure to enforce its own policies on auditor independence—evidenced by the lack of proper, formalized training and oversight for its lobbying activities—compromised the integrity of its audits. This ethical lapse in business practices raises serious concerns about transparency and corporate responsibility.

EY Is In Trouble With the SEC For Lobbying On Behalf of Audit Clients

By rewriting compliance reports and minimizing the apparent severity of suspicious transactions, EY demonstrated behavior consistent with regulatory capture, effectively undermining the role of oversight bodies and weakening regulatory enforcement.

EY: Gold, drug money and a major auditor's 'cover-up'