CEO cannot be trusted - Anonymous employee SmartAsset Employee Review

1.0
22 Mar 2019
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

A lot of very smart people who are trying to do their best

Cons

CEO Michael Carvin has been lying to people at the company, especially about compensation. Pretended he didn't know people were being underpaid relative to what they were promised. Tells people the company promotes from within but almost never does, and offers minimal raises along with promotions. Flexible vacation became limited time off and sick days. Pinching pennies is more important than taking care of employees. Trust has evaporated and half the company is looking for a new job. You've been warned

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SmartAsset Response
7y
We’re incredibly proud of our CEO. All who work with him know him to be a trustworthy professional dedicated to the integrity of this company and the success of every member of our team.

Explore other reviews about SmartAsset

5.0
20 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Supportive leadership, strong team culture, opportunities for growth and a work environment built on trust rather than micromanagement. Employees are treated with respect and recognized for strong performance. This is a great fit for people who are self-motivated, team-oriented and appreciate being trusted to do their job without excessive oversight.

Cons

Like many growing companies, goals and quotas can evolve over time, so adaptability is important. Expectations are high, but so are the opportunities/rewards.

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SmartAsset Response
1w
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and for highlighting the supportive culture, leadership, and trust-based environment at SmartAsset. We’re especially glad to hear you’ve felt recognized and supported in your growth. We also appreciate your thoughtful feedback around maintaining adaptability and continuing to invest in employee development as we grow. Thanks again for being part of the team!
5.0
4 Mar 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

After spending years at high-growth startups, the biggest thing I appreciate about SmartAsset is stability. The company still has the pace and energy of a growing tech company, but leadership tends to be thoughtful and measured about decisions rather than chasing every shiny object. Remote work is real here — not the “remote but everyone actually lives in one city” type. People are spread across the country and it works well. There’s a lot of autonomy and trust to manage your own schedule and work style. Compensation is strong if you perform, and the company has been steadily growing the business rather than overextending itself. Some people might look at the benefits and think they’re not as flashy as big tech or some startups like to advertise. But personally I’d take a company that is growing profitably and building something sustainable over one that offers tons of perks but ends up doing layoffs when the market shifts.

Cons

Benefits overall are solid, but I would love to see the 401(k) match grow over time. For a company centered around helping people make smart financial decisions, that’s one area that feels a little light compared to other places I’ve worked.

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SmartAsset Response
2mo
Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful perspective on your experience at SmartAsset. We’re glad to hear that the balance between growth and stability has stood out to you. Building a company that can grow sustainably while still maintaining the energy and opportunity of a tech environment is something we care deeply about. We also appreciate the feedback around benefits and leadership engagement. As the company continues to grow, we’re always evaluating how our programs evolve and how we create more opportunities for leaders across the organization to contribute to strategic conversations.
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