Top 20 Accounting Firms in Compensation, Hours, Diversity an

In Vault's 2010 Accounting Survey, in addition to prestige, employees at accounting firms were asked to rank their own firms in regards to several quality of life categories. And dominating this year’s quality of life rankings was Marcum LLP, which ranked No. 1 in 7 out of the 15 categories: compensation, hours, formal training, informal training, office space, diversity with respect to minorities and overall business outlook.

Marcum, the result of a recent merger between two formidable accounting firms (Florida-based Rachlin and New York-headquartered Marcum & Kliegman), is now one of the 15 largest accounting firms in the U.S.  Based in Long Island, N.Y., it has a strong presence on the East Coast, and has aspirations of creating a national firm. It has also become a firm known for treating its employees well: Marcum pays its employees at the top of end of the national scale, works but not overworks its staff, and maintains a family-like culture, despite having nearly 1,000 employees.

Below are the top-ranked firms in each quality of life category, along with quotes from their accounting employees:

Overall satisfaction: Armanino McKenna (“I came to this firm in 2000 hoping to grow professionally and looking for an opportunity to advance. This firm has helped and allowed me to do both, and I honestly could not imagine a more rewarding professional experience than the one I've had so far.”)

Firm culture: Kaufman, Rossin & Co. (“The firm culture is very people-oriented and supportive. The partners maintain an open-door policy, and are approachable and responsive.”)

Hours: Marcum (“We work hard at Marcum, but the hours are very reasonable.”)

Manager relations: Kaufman, Rossin & Co. (“Office doors are always open. All managers are very approachable and willing to help.”)

Formal training: Marcum (“Training is top notch. Marcum places a heavy emphasis on training.”)

Informal training: Marcum (“Through the Career Development Program, employees are assigned 'coaches' who help them along their career path. My coach is very supportive and has been instrumental in my growth at Marcum.”)

Office space: Marcum (“The brand new offices are state of the art and spacious.”)

Compensation: Marcum (“Marcum pays at the higher end of the pay scale. Compensation is extremely competitive.”)

Selectivity: PricewaterhouseCoopers (“We only strive to hire the best candidates.”)
   
Green initiatives: Goodman & Company (“Goodman has implemented a green office environment, with recycling programs throughout the office, and encourages green-type behavior related to electricity usage, etc.”)

Overall business outlook: Marcum (“Marcum is set up to thrive as soon as the economy turns around.”)

Overall diversity: Kaufman, Rossin & Co. (“Gender, sexuality, race and religion are not factors in people being hired or promoted.”)

Diversity with respect to women: Goodman & Company (“The firm has been very supportive of diversity with respect to woman. There are many female partners and employees, and various options for flexible work schedules for working mothers.”)

Diversity with respect to minorities: Marcum (“We hire people solely on talent and ability.”)

Diversity with respect to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals: Kaufman, Rossin & Co. (“There is no discrimination against GLBT persons.”)

See the complete 2011 Accounting Quality of Life Rankings.