After writing my first blog post, “Intern’s Corner: The Big Four Push” I began to think about how does one choose the right firm. I am lucky enough to have had to opportunity to experience different firms and different values over the past two years. I have been a member of Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) in that time period. By having those opportunities, I feel that I have been able to explore different options, and I know what is right for me. These are the steps that I took when choosing the firm I choose:
1. How does the office make me feel? BAP has given me the opportunity to tour almost every local firm within the past 2 years. Within the first hour there, I know if that is a place I would be able to work. Some firms feel more comfortable for one person than another. For example, I am a very laid back person, so certain conservative firms are not for me. However, some of my classmates are very conservative, so those firms work out great for them. Know yourself, and what you like.
2. What have you heard about the firm? It is true that you shouldn’t believe everything you hear, but do listen. Talk to people that are current employees there, and talk to employees that no longer work there. That will give you the feel for the office (the good, the bad, and the indifferent). Make sure to ask current and past employees about the overtime required by the firm. This will come back into play in step three and step four.
3. Does the firm support your core values? I know this might take some thinking and looking into, but it is imperative that you find a job that does this. For example, ethics has always been a hot (and grey) topic. Find a firm that has similar ethical values to yours. By finding a firm that supports your core values, hopefully you will not have to get put in a situation where you have to question yourself. Also, if family is a core value, look at activities the firm does. I cannot stress how important this step is. This step is the key to your happiness at a firm.
4. Look at the pay. Just coming out of college (with no experience for some people), $37,440 ($18 an hour) might seem great. But, is that what other qualified candidates getting? I know a girl who graduated last semester that was offered that. She took the job and was happy about the pay. That was until she heard that other graduates were starting at $10,000 more a year than her. That made her feel undervalued. And trust me, you do not want to have a career somewhere you feel undervalued. Also, make sure to find out if the salary offered is strictly for a 40 hour work week, or if it is a normal salary. There are many local firms that may start you out a bit lower than a big four firms, but they will allow you to bank your overtime. Take that into consideration.
5. Don’t quit interviewing after you get one offer. Make the firms work for you. You will not get stuck feeling undervalued if you get more than one offer.
Take these steps into consideration. Accountants are in high demand right now. There is no reason to take a job somewhere you are not 100% happy.
