What is the definition of insanity? - Grainger's Internal Audit Department. - Internal Audit Grainger Employee Review

1.0
Jul 24, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The HQs in Lake Forest has a nice building. They're good at bringing talent in - but can't keep anyone past 2 years. (it's amazing anyone stays that long if they come into the company through internal audit). The parking lot is always salted.

Cons

The Internal Audit department is comprised layer upon layer of managers, directors, and executives with little to no audit experience. They have no idea what they’re doing, talking about, reviewing, etc. The IA Department has the worst reputation throughout Grainger, and it’s more than deserved. All the talent lies at the senior level – from which they draw a great deal out of Big 4 and other large public accounting firms. However, the seniors spend so much time “dumbing down” audit information to the managers and directors that there is little time for anything else and most seniors do not last more than 2 years. This is a department that loves anything classified as no-value added: countless status update meetings, no decisions are ever made, project trackers, moving the same information from Excel to Word to our IA software (which no one knows how to use) – the list goes on forever. In short, if you’d like to spend your career with a smile plastered on your face as your brain slowly turns to mush – this is the position for you.

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5.0
Jun 18, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Pays well Hours are flexible if needed Acknowledgement Happy employees

Cons

Extreme time management Lack of ability to take time off

4.0
Jun 6, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Benefits are decent and reasonably priced. They offer a 401k match, BCBS insurance, FSA, HSA, dental, vision, life insurance, and accidental D&D coverage. They also do a 3‑to‑1 match for donations to non‑religious 501(c) organizations. There’s a big emphasis on volunteering, with plenty of opportunities to get involved. The building itself is beautiful, with a free on‑site gym, a coffee shop, real trees in the atrium, a waterfall, and a large cafeteria (though the food can vary). They’re also flexible about which days you come on‑site, depending on the team’s schedule. If I needed to switch a Monday for a Thursday, it was never an issue. My manager was also supportive of remote work on days when the weather made commuting difficult.

Cons

Admins do not get an annual bonus. They're really strict on Overtime, really weird about worrying about mini costs. Like they'll spend 50k on a week-long training but freak out if people want to rent a car while being in town. Can't buy lunch for this 3 hour meeting to cut costs, but we'll drop 10k on this other thing. It's also so unfair that some people get to work remotely and others are forced to come in 3 times a week, for the exact same roles. Every meeting is basically online, so it's just silly and a power trip.

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