These advantages have led to accounting growing in popularity among new generations of business school students. According to the 2024 GMAC Corporate Recruiters 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 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 most care about: quality of life, culture, satisfaction, work-life balance, training, and compensation.
Here are the top 25 accounting firms to work for according to Vault’s ranking, which looks ahead to 2026.
Best accounting firms to work for
25. Cherry Bekaert
Dropping one place but staying on the list, 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.
Survey respondents cited competitive salaries and career development opportunities among the company's positives.
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.
24. 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.
Vault ranked Akram second in its hours category and fifth in relationships with supervisors.
23. Frazier & Deeter
The first new entry in this list of the best accounting firms to work for, Atlanta-based Frazier & Deeter is one of the 50 largest CPA and advisory firms in the US.
Its internship program offers students hands-on experience and the opportunity to learn alongside senior managers. It also offers employees wellness benefits such as in-office health screenings and group fitness challenges.
22. Calibre CPA Group
Another newcomer to the list, Calibre is one of the largest public accounting firms in Washington DC and has a strong commitment to cultivating a diverse and inclusive culture—it has an active D&I committee.
The firm also offers students a valuable internship program, giving interns hands-on client-engagement experience.
READ: Master In Accounting Salary: How Much Will You Earn?
©NYU Stern FB
21. Aprio
Atlanta-based business advisory firm Aprio has industry specialties including non-profit 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, as well as for ESG initiatives.
The firm ranks 11th 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. KSM (Katz, Sapper & Miller)
KSM is the largest accounting firm in Indianapolis...
KSM ranks eighth for culture and also for compensation.
One employee says: “Salaries are very competitive, and I have never felt underpaid. They have many benefits that personally help me.”
19. Cg Tax, Audit & Advisory
This New Jersey-based firm has a community-oriented approach and provides accounting and profitability consulting to a wide range of individuals and companies.
Cg has an active diversity committee as well as an employee experience committee that focuses on mental health, physical health, and financial health. The company topped Vault's rankings for firm leadership and hiring process.
18. 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 places the firm third and fifth for informal and formal training, respectively. As one employee observes: "The training is extensive and always available. There are numerous resources to help individuals dive into a deeper topic for better understanding. There is a lot of mentorship; I can go to my career counselor at any time for any questions."
17. Schellman
Based in Tampa, Florida, Schellman has more than 900 clients, including numerous publicly traded and Fortune 500 companies.
Schellman, which made the top 10 last year, continues to draw strong reviews from employees for its work-life balance, approach to remote working, and career development.
Vault ranks Schellman first in these ranking categories:
→ Benefits
→ Compensation
→ ESG initiatives
→ Overall diversity
READ: What Are The Most Prestigious Companies To Work For?
16. Withum
Headquartered in the famed Ivy League university town of Princeton, Withum boasts a people-focused attitude, emphasizing client service and staff development.
Insiders praise the company's flexible work schedules and career development: "The firm provides excellent training, both informal on-the-job training as well as formal training in the form of continuing professional education, which is required to maintain a CPA license," observes one employee.
15. 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.
“My experience with Grassi regarding my overall career development has been tremendous," observes one insider. "The partners truly care about their staff and want them to grow. They recognize top performers and act accordingly. They also want and encourage feedback on how the firm can do better."
14. HCVT
Los Angeles-based HCVT is one of the 35 largest CPA firms in the US. The firm has 10 offices in California and three additional offices in Texas, Utah, and Arizona.
HCVT's full-time staff get access to extensive training, resources for CPA licensure, a mentorship program, and tuition reimbursements for a master’s degree in taxation. The company ranks second in Vault's hiring process, compensation, and formal training categories.
13. Whitley Penn
Whitley Penn is a primarily Texas-based company with major departments covering audit, tax, and consulting.
Improving on its overall placement this year (it was at 20 in 2024) Whitley Penn ranks within the top five for many important areas including benefits, training and internal mobility.
Notably, Whitley Penn is one of the best accounting firms to work for when it comes to vacation policies, ranking fourth in this area, although one team member commented that it can be challenging to plan leave in view of the accounting department's monthly deadlines.
WATCH: 5 Of The Best Masters In Accounting In Europe
12. Moss Adams
Slipping out of the top 10 since last year, this west-coast firm 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, Moss Adams is based primarily in the Western United States.
Although its category rankings are down this year, Moss Adams staff still praise the company for its flexible approach to hybrid working and PTO.
"The quality of life is fantastic. We are encouraged to take our PTO and truly respect the time away. The team is always working together and striving to make everyone’s lives easier," says one reviewer. Employees also get free Headspace subscriptions, gym memberships, and counseling.
11. Eide Bailly
Eide Bailly is the 20th largest US accounting firm and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2017. The firm is a member of HLB, a global network of independent advisory accounting companies, with more than 1,100 offices and 40,000 people.
Vault ranks Eide Bailly in the top 10 for benefits, internal mobility, and diversity for women. Respondents highlight the company's flexibility, approach to work/life balance, and diversity, while some note that salaries could be more competitive.
READ: What Skills Are Employers Looking For In 2023?
©AntonioGuillem/iStock
10. CBIZ
The highest new entry this year, this accounting, tax, and advisory firm is based in Cleveland, OH.
Full-time staff at CBIZ have access to training conferences, professional development programs, and internal mobility options. Staff praise its career development and "industry-leading annual level trainings" as well as its flexibility, PTO, and sick leave programs.
9. 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 is the 26th-largest accounting firm in the US by annual revenues.
Vault’s ranking places it top five for culture, wellness, internal mobility, and compensation. Survey respondents praise the firm's work-life balance policies and profit-sharing initiative.
8. RSM US
Retaining its 2024 placing, 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 career development, compensation, and benefits, although some respondents feel work-life balance can be compromised during busy periods.
7. Baker Tilly
Baker Tilly, which also retains its position from last year, 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 11th for benefits, survey respondents note Baker Tilly's generous PTO, parental leave scheme, and schedule flexibility, while some believe salaries could be higher and that the bonus structure needs improvement.
6. CohnReznick
Located in New York, CohnReznick services clients in more than 120 countries. Insiders praise its salary packages, benefits, culture and focus on work-life balance (though a recent mandated return to three days in the office has not been universally popular).
Vault ranks CohnReznick in the top 10 for LGBTQ, and racial and ethnic diversity, and eighth for wellness.
5. BDO USA
BDO USA is the sixth-largest accounting firm in the USA, with more than 70 offices and over 12,000 employees.
While compensation is competitive and fair, some insiders feel the pay could be better given "the intense workload and inflation". 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 a newly launched employee stock ownership plan.
4. 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 more than 20 years.
Vault rank Plante Moran first across a number of categories, including culture, training, internal mobility, and relationships with supervisors, and second for benefits and work-life balance.
“Plante Moran has a culture of kindness and caring, and that is really exemplified by everyone who works here," as one respondent puts it.
READ: What Are The Highest-Paying MBA Jobs?
©HEC Paris/FB
3. KPMG
KPMG is one 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, but many praise KPMG's efforts to accommodate work-life balance. This hard work is offset with generous, competitive compensation packages, though it may not be the right trade-off for everyone.
“Salaries are competitive, as are benefits and perks. The firm monitors our competition’s activities in these areas and ensures we are at market—but no better,” observes one insider.
2. EY
Another of the prestigious Big Four accounting firms, EY is a highly sought-after company for business school graduates offering career development opportunities, including coaching, mentoring, training, web-based learning, and experience working with multinational clients.
According to insiders, EY offers competitive salaries and a focus on career development. Respondents also highlight the firm's ability to hire from a diversity of backgrounds and cultures.
1. PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
PwC is once again the best accounting firm to work for, 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.
Respondents observe that while compensation is adequate, benefits are generous and they also praise the company for its flexibility and training options.
Register for free to continue reading
The best of our Premium Articles