How to choose between mid-tier accounting firms
All mid-tier firms are essentially the same, so the specific office and team you join matter far more than the firm's brand name. When you are working 60-hour weeks during busy season, choosing the firm that pays the most and has the shortest commute prevents burnout.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Choosing the firm that pays the most and is closest to home
- 2Focusing on the specific office and team rather than the firm name
- 3Targeting top regional or local non-national firms
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Same poop, different scents of stinky. I’d go with the one that pays you the most and is closest to your home”source ↗
“All the mid tier firms are basically the same beast just different branding. What matters more is the specific office and team you land in, that can make or break your experience way more than the firm name on the door”source ↗
“When you're pulling 60+ hour weeks in busy season that extra 45 mins each way will destroy your soul”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 2Why can't I get an interview at a public accounting firm?
- 4How to find a responsive accountant for a small nonprofit
- 2How to get clients for a new accounting practice
- 2What do year-round accountant services actually include?
- 6Does starting in private accounting ruin your career?
- 2Is switching to an accounting major worth it?