Vault Releases Top Accounting Firms to Work For

Vault has recently released its annual Vault Accounting 50 list of the top accounting firms to work for. Vault uses a weighted formula to rank accounting firms based on prestige, firm culture, work/life balance, compensation, job satisfaction, business outlook and formal training. If you are looking for an accounting job, consider applying at the following top-rated accounting firms.

PricewaterhouseCoopers once again topped Vault's list of the top accounting firms. This firm is rated as having a high level of prestige and a challenging work environment. Some employees reported long working hours and a high-pressure work environment. Additionally, there were comments made regarding the limited opportunities to make partner at the firm. However, employees noted the availability of training and coaching that is designed to help employees grow within the company.

Ernst & Young LLP advanced to the number-two position on this year's list of top accounting firms. This firm was rated high for prestige, providing employees with great work experience and on-going training. The company culture and the friendly staff were also reasons Ernst & Young LLP was rated highly by employees. The reported negative aspects of working with this firm include frequent travel, corporate hierarchy and demanding workloads.

Deloitte LLP came in third place on the list of top accounting firms. Deloitte LLP ranked high for job satisfaction, ongoing training and company culture. However, employees reported dissatisfaction with pay, internal control regulations and high workloads. Of the top four on the list, Deloitte LLP was reported to have the highest potential for career growth.

Rounding out the top four, KPMG LLP was ranked high for flexible work schedules, growth and learning opportunities, and friendly coworkers. However, employees at KPMG LLP considered the firm to be the least prestigious of the Big Four accounting firms and considered the lack of overtime pay to be one of the worst aspects of working at the firm.

The following firms also made the top ten: Grant Thornton LLP, BDO USA LLP, McGladrey LLP, Plante Moran, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP and Crowe Horwath LLP. The Vault list is created by gathering employee comments, industry news and information from accounting job seekers. Prestige, firm culture, work/life balance and compensation were ranked as the most important aspects of a firm. On the other hand, job satisfaction, business outlook and formal training were rated as the least important qualities.

Vault's extensive list of top accounting firms reflects the fact that there are many employment options available for accounting job seekers to choose from. Whether you are a recent accounting graduate or a veteran accountant, there are plenty of top-rated firms to apply to. Since the accounting profession has a great employment outlook, many of these firms are expected to have available positions in the near future, if they do not currently have any already.

The Vault Accounting 50 list of top accounting firms was dominated by the Big Four, or the largest and most prestigious accounting firms in the world. However, there are many smaller firms that are also rated high for job satisfaction and career growth. Review all of the qualities of the top accounting firms to find an employer that best fits your life and career goals.

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