The Big 4 Accounting Firms

Breaking down the biggest accounting and cpa firms

Updated:Aug. 3, 2021
Big 4 Accounting Firms
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The Best Accounting Firms to Work For

The Best Accounting Firms
Truthfully, accounting can be one of the toughest career categories to break into, with fierce competition in every corner.

Additionally, finding a firm that suits your work/life balance and offers the learning opportunities you seek can seem impossible. Below are some of the best companies to work for as a CPA in 2020 and the reasons why they got there.

Ultimately, these top firms were ranked on a number of factors, including work/life balance, learning opportunities, diversity, and more.

The 6 Top Accounting Firms of 2021

Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young LLP has some of the best opportunities to help their employees grow, not only professionally, but personally as well. Essentially, they offer a plethora of programs, including those for veterans, students, new parents, athletes, and young professionals alike.

They strive to help you achieve your goals, whatever they may be. (website)

Grant Thornton

Grant Thornton LLP is one of the most diverse CPA firms to work for; they have branches all over the world. Hence, you’ll have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of clients from many different industries with a large scope of responsibilities.

It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting your career in financial services or are a veteran in the accounting industry. Ultimately, they’re sure to have a position for you! (website)

Deloitte

For the past 16 years, Deloitte LLP has ranked on Forbes “100 Best Companies to Work for.” Additionally, they offer a plethora of activities and programs to help you grow personally and professionally. Furthermore, they have a program named Deloitte University which serves as an education portal for rising accountants.

Whether you are looking to impact your personal life, the lives of your clients, or the world around you, Deloitte is definitely one of the best accounting firms that can help you reach your goals. (website)

PwC

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has consecutively reached the top 100 for more than 4 years. One of the biggest reasons why is that this public accounting firm supports learning and growth among its employees. Most of their employees spend more than 2 weeks a year participating in programs geared toward learning more about their careers.

In addition, all employees start their careers at PwC with 15 paid vacation days, which jumps to 22 after 2 years. (website)

KPMG

KPMG looks to foster growth through various programs for its employees. Basically, by encouraging employees to share their success stories, they have become more aware of their work environment and how employees view their experiences with this “big four” consulting firm.

Additionally, they offer several different programs that empower employees to achieve the work/life balance they are seeking. (website)

Plante Moran

Plante Moran has made it onto more than one list over the years. Honestly, this is quite an achievement in the accounting industry. Basically, this firm has made the top 100 list for 16 years consecutively. Upon hire, each new employee is assigned an experienced partner to help them learn the ropes. Additionally, this encourages him or her to develop long term relationships with their colleagues. (website)

Furthermore, they offer many programs, and opportunities to help employees find happiness, both personally and professionally.

Essentially, there are many factors that go into rating and ranking accounting firms. Some of these categories include diversity, learning opportunities, vacation time, and pay rate. However, the firms on this list ranked the highest among their peers in all these metrics.

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