These advantages have led to accounting growing in popularity among the new generation of business school students.
According to the 2023 GMAC Corporate Recuiters Survey, while millennials today show a greater interest in tech careers, Generation Z are more likely to look for jobs in accounting and finance.
So, what are the top accounting firms to work for?
Each year, careers platform Vault/Firsthand surveys thousands of employees in accounting to compile a list of the best accounting firms to work for.
Companies are ranked using a weighted formula reflecting their overall prestige as well as the issues accounting professionals care about: quality of life, culture, satisfaction, work-life balance, and compensation.
Here are the top 25 accounting firms to work for according to Vault’s ranking for 2025.
Best Accounting Firms To Work For
25. Armanino
Falling eight places from joint-17th in last year’s ranking, Armanino is nonetheless one of the best accounting firms to work for.
Founded in 1969, Armanino is now the 19th-largest accounting firm in the US, gaining $658 million in revenues in its most recent fiscal year.
The firm is located close to Silicon Valley and has a number of high-tech clients, including local heavy hitters like AutoDesk, Yahoo!, and Wildfire.
Within Vault's broken down ranking metrics, Armanino comes fourth in ESG initiatives, which was noted in the one insider’s comments: “We are not only making the impact ourselves but also helping our clients with their focus on ESG programs.”
24. Cherry Bekaert
Cherry Bekaert is located in North Carolina and provides business advisory and non-attest services in transaction advisory, risk and accounting advisory, digital solutions, cybersecurity, and tax.
For those looking to get hired at Cherry Bekaert, recruiters at the firm are looking for hardworking, ambitious, motivated self-starting team players eager to learn and grow.
23. Akram | Assurance, Advisory & Tax Firm
Akram was founded in 2013 by Muhammad Akram, who worked for national accounting and Big Four firms before striking out on his own.
The company is now headquartered in North Carolina and focuses on serving the alternative investments industry—that means investments outside of conventional categories like stocks, bonds, and cash. Alternative investments can include venture capital, art and antiques, and commodities.
22. HCVT
Headquartered in Los Angeles, HCTV (Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt) employs more than 700 people, including more than 100 partners and principals. The firm has 10 offices in California, and three in Texas, Utah, and Arizona.
It scores fifth for ESG initiatives and eighth for compensation on the Vault ranking. Salaries get high marks from insiders, in large part due to the unique policy of giving overtime pay to staff.
READ: Master In Accounting Salary: How Much Will You Earn?
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21. Aprio
Atlanta-based business advisory firm, Aprio, has industry specialties including nonprofit and education, real estate and construction, and technology and blockchain, as well as restaurants.
Aprio scores well on Vault’s ranking for client interaction and hiring process, coming in third and eighth respectively.
It also ranks in the top 10 for internal mobility thanks to the development opportunities available. These include valuable internships for students, providing interns with hands-on experience, training, mentoring, and constant support from full-time staff.
20. Whitley Penn
Whitley Penn is a primarily Texas-based company with major departments covering audit, tax, and consulting.
Despite its...
Notably, Whitley Penn is one of the best accounting firms to work for when it comes to vacation policies. Ranking sixth in this area, employees report access to unlimited PTO in the slower season to compensate for the long hours during the busy season.
19. BPM
Based on annual revenues, BPM is one of the 35 largest public accounting and advisory firms in the US. The firm has offices scattered along the West Coast, as well as internationally in Bengaluru, India, and the Cayman Islands.
BPM has moved four places up the ranking from last year's list and ranks particularly highly for ESG initiatives, coming in sixth place, and work-life balance, coming in at eighth.
READ: What Are The Most Prestigious Companies To Work For?
18. KSM (Katz, Sapper & Miller)
A new entry to the Vault ranking, KSM is the largest accounting firm in Indianapolis and one of the 50 largest in the USA. It serves industries including construction, family offices, financial services, government, insurance, and technology.
KSM ranks ninth overall for work-life balance and secures an impressive third place for compensation.
One employee says: “Our compensation packages are extremely attractive. The firm does a great job retaining talent with compensation. We also receive retention bonuses and promotion bonuses. Education assistance is a new program that’s been another huge contribution.”
17. Withum
Headquartered in the famed Ivy League university town of Princeton, Withum boasts a people-focused attitude, emphasizing client service and staff development.
Insiders report that the firm’s internship program provides students with meaningful hands-on experience. Interns are treated like full-time staff and get a clear look at what a full-time role with the firm looks like day-to-day.
16. Grassi
Founded in 1980, Grassi is headquartered in New York City, with additional offices in New Jersey, Florida, and the Greater Boston area. The firm also has an office in Rome, Italy.
Grassi’s career development opportunities are extensive and include highly effective training, a focus on promoting from within, and excellent mentoring, according to survey respondents.
“There are many opportunities afforded to employees for career progression vertically. There is a good flow of information that allows lower-level employees to climb ranks and move up,” says one Grassi insider.
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15. Frank, Rimerman + Co
Frank, Rimerman + Co specializes in providing accounting services to clients considered to be leaders in their industries, which includes pioneers in Silicon Valley.
Vault puts the firm third for firm leadership, which is reflected in insiders comments, who describe the transparency from the top: “Our leadership team works hard to make solid decisions for the firm. They are open about their efforts and decisions.”
14. Eide Bailly
Eide Bailly is one of the 20 largest US accounting firms and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2017. The firm is a member of HLB, a global network of independent advisory accounting firms, with more than 1,100 offices and 40,000 people.
Vault ranks Eide Bailly third for internal mobility for full-time staff. Respondents emphasize the extensive career opportunities on offer, including valuable training and work experience in many different areas.
13. H&CO
H&CO is a global professional services firm that is well-known as one of the best accounting firms to work for. It has been recognized as one of America’s best tax firms by Forbes and one of the fastest-growing firms by Inside Accounting.
Surprisingly for a firm in the middle of this list, H&CO ranks in the top three in many important areas, including ranking second overall for:
→ Firm leadership
→ Compensation
→ Culture
→ Promotion policies
→ Satisfaction
→ Wellness
12. PKF O’Connor Davies
PKF O’Connor Davies has more than 1,500 employees, and offices in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, Massachusetts, Florida, and internationally in Mumbai, India. It ranked 25th on Accounting Today's 2023 Top 100 Firms list.
Vault’s ranking places it first for firm leadership and formal training, with survey respondents saying the firm’s internship program is exceptional, offering students hands-on experience and preparing them well for full-time roles with the firm.
11. Marcum
Marcum is headquartered in New York and has more than 40 offices across the US as well as in China, Grand Cayman, and Ireland.
Salaries and perks are something highlighted by insiders who mention Summer Fridays—finishing work at lunchtime—generous yearly raises, solid PTO and a health insurance plan. Wellness offerings, though, are extensive and include online meditation, counseling, workout classes within the office, and chair yoga.
READ: What Skills Are Employers Looking For In 2023?
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10. Moss Adams
A west-coast firm, Moss Adams is based in Seattle, and has offices in Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, Colorado Utah, and Texas. Home to more than 4,750 professionals across more than 40 locations, the firm is based primarily in the Western United States.
Moss Adams ranks 10th for internal mobility and respondents report strong provision of resources for progression.
“The people at this firm are highly interested in helping others find their sweet spots where they can thrive in their careers,” says one insider. “There are endless opportunities for advancement and new challenges.”
9. Schellman
Based in Tampa, Florida, Schellman has over 900 clients, including numerous publicly traded and Fortune 500 companies.
Schellman has made a massive leap from its 2024 placement at 22nd place. Insiders give strong reviews for the annual raise process and 401(k) matching, however some say parental leave and insurance coverage could be better.
Vault ranks Schellman first in all of the related ranking categories available, including:
→ Benefits
→ Compensation
→ Culture
→ Firm leadership
→ Promotion policies
→ Satisfaction
→ Work life balance
8. RSM US
RSM is the leading US provider of assurance, tax, and consulting services focused on the middle market, and the fifth largest professional services firm in the country.
Insiders give positive reviews of RSM’s internship program saying it provides students with valuable hands-on experience, treating them like full-time staff and thus giving them an accurate picture of what a full-time role looks like.
7. Baker Tilly
Baker Tilly is an advisory firm headquartered in Chicago and, according to Accounting Today, is among the top 10 largest accounting firms in the US. The firm has more than 5,000 employees and specializes in assurance, tax, and consulting.
Coming in seventh for benefits, survey respondents note the generous PTO scheme, schedule flexibility, and remote work options, but say the bonus structure needs improvement.
6. CohnReznick
Located in New York, CohnReznick services clients in more than 120 countries. Insiders claim that the focus on work-life balance at CohnReznick makes it one of the best accounting firms to work for. Indeed, it ranks ninth for employee benefits.
“The firm encourages a work/life balance and provides opportunities to structure an individualized schedule that considers the employee’s circumstances and meets the firm’s objectives,” says one insider.
“Aside from a generous PTO policy, the firm provides two firm-wide closures during the week of the fourth of July and during the week of Thanksgiving for employees to reconnect with family and friends and recharge.”
READ: What Are The Highest-Paying MBA Jobs?
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5. Plante Moran
Plante Moran is one of the 15 largest accounting firms in the US. It’s headquartered in Michigan and has grown rapidly in recent years, adding a few hundred staff members and several dozen partners. It has been named one of Fortune magazine’s '100 Best Companies to Work For,' for 25 consecutive years.
Vault rank Plante Moran fifth for client interaction and third for firm culture, and survey respondents highlight the positive career development which allows them access to formal training, informal on-the-job experiential learning, and structured mentoring.
4. BDO USA
BDO USA is the eighth-largest accounting firm in the US, with more than 80 offices and over 11,000 employees, including 820 partners.
While compensation is competitive and fair, some insiders say the pay could be better. The perks and benefits, though, are generous: BDO offers flexible hours, a good amount of PTO, a casual dress policy, hybrid work arrangements, a 401(k) match, and access to counseling, therapy, and the Total Brain mental health and fitness app.
3. EY
One of the prestigious Big Four accounting firms, EY is a highly sought-after company for business school graduates.
EY has made the largest jump up Vault’s list of the best accounting firms since the 2024 list, leaping from last place into third.
According to Vault, EY has positive career progression opportunities, good diversity practices, and solid salaries. However, working at the firm does mean long hours, particularly for those at the start of their careers.
2. KPMG
KPMG is another of the Big Four to rank among the best accounting firms to work for. KPMG is home to more than 35,000 employees in more than 90 offices across the US.
The prestige of the firm means hard work, respondents divulge that during busy times of the year you may be working more than 60-hour weeks. This is offset with generous, competitive compensation packages, though it may not be the right trade-off for everyone.
“PTO and paternity leave are very generous,” says one employee. “Additionally, meals are paid for when in the office. I think I get paid well overall, but when you look at the hours and stress put in, I’m not sure the pay is adequate.”
1. PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
PwC is the best accounting firm to work for in 2025, according to Vault. A New York-headquartered accounting and professional services firm, PwC is the US member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited.
The firm operates in 157 countries, employs more than 328,000 people, and serves approximately 85% of Fortune Global 500 companies and more than 100,000 entrepreneurial and private businesses.
Despite some staff shortages, which most accounting firms have been experiencing in recent years, PwC continues to grow and is well-positioned to continue to thrive, regardless of the economic climate, according to insiders.
For information on how to launch your career in accounting, including free advice from b-school careers experts, download our BusinessBecause Careers Guide: What's Next After Business School?
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