Lack of career progression in a dying business - Account Manager QA Employee Review

2.0
1 Feb 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great health insurance, benefits, flexible hours and work-from-home balance.

Cons

Just know that the company is owned by a private equity firm, so it is not independent. Which causes a lot of volatility and constant changes. This causes a high stress environment for employees who want stability and career growth, therefore I do not think it’s worth it being employee there, on top of that for their already below market wages. In the last 12 months, the company has gone through 3 different CROs, 2 different compensation structures (each one pitched being worse than the last), in which employees never saw a dollar of a bonus that was originally communicated to them when they signed their contracts. The pay is extremely low and below the market (for example: a CSM’s pay is only $70k base salary, when the market compensation starts at $105,000 annually in New York). The company went through a major reorg (for a fourth time in 2 years). Recently, all teams were royally demoted as a part of the reorg. Talent that’s been with the company for years and whom have fought long and hard for their careers and positions, were essentially told that they need to rebuild themselves from the ground up at the snap of a finger… all while receiving the little pay that’s already below industry standards. It’s also important to note that their senior leadership team is a revolving door at all times. Having people being fired or quit abruptly around the clock in the past year, which caused as a major disruption to employees across the globe whom have received little to no support. Lastly, the business is not profitable and has not been profitable for quite some time. The product offerings that they sell hold only a short time value to its customers, making it very difficult for the sales and renewals team to expand their book of business and find new logos. They recently merged with a company called Cloud Academy, which is a company that’s never been a profitable company in its 11 year history and has always been in the red. Additionally, they are now referred to as QA ltd., as a part of the acquisition. Circus Street is owned by a private equity firm called CVC Capital Partners VI, which is now going in its fifth year of being unable to sell the business. It’s basically stranded capital. It’s a shame too, as it started out as a great company many many years ago, with amazing people who truly cared based out of the London offices. However, unfortunately Circus Street can not keep up with the market and its ever so changing demands and the business has taken a turn for the worse. Everyone there has been affected. Due to this, a significant amount of revenue was lost, positions were eliminated, employee pay continues to stay below market standards, mergers/acquisitions were created out of desperation (not strength), and the rest is pretty much history.

Explore other reviews about QA

5.0
13 Mar 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

good company helpful colleagues managers

Cons

nothing to say about this company

1.0
24 Aug 2025
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The skills platform developed by the former Cloud Academy team was innovative and well-received by customers.

Cons

Since my voluntary departure, the company has proven to be unreliable and somewhat cagey. Under the terms of their articles of association and ISD, they had 12 months to repurchase my preferred shares. Nearly 18 months have passed, and they refuse to repurchase my shares or communicate any reasons for the delay. One might conclude that they are dealing with financial difficulties.

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