PricewaterhouseCoopers cuts 500 jobs in Tampa

PricewaterhouseCoopers has announced that the company will be cutting 500 jobs.

Jonathan Stoner is one of the tax advisory and consulting company's public relations representatives.

"PWC is making these changes as part of a thoughtful, strategic plan that will allow the firm to best serve its clients," he said. "The firm is one of the largest private employers and recruiters in the U.S. and as we make these changes, we are simultaneously increasing the number of jobs in other areas of the U.S. firm. All impacted employees will be encouraged to apply for other open positions at PWC."

Stoner says the changes are taking place across their IT organization, of which the majority is in Tampa.

As of Thursday, there are 1100 individuals and they plan to cut 500 jobs, leaving the IT division with 600 employees.

The company says the workers were notified Thursday afternoon. PWC felt it was important to give the workers a heads-up and the time until the end of the year to apply for other open positions.

Stoner says that the employees who are facing layoffs will be given a generous severance package.

Less than 2 percent of the overall company workforce has been affected by the changes. Right now, PWC employs 30,000 employees in the U.S.

In the last 18 months, PWC established two on-shore delivery centers in Tampa, which brought 200 jobs to the area.