Anywhere but here - Tax Associate RSM Employee Review

1.0
Feb 17, 2016
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

Its a job. But so are all other jobs.

Cons

Everything else. Management is nonexistent and openly states that they do not want to manage staff, so don't expect career guidance, helpful feedback, or opportunities for growth. Expect to get assigned whatever rolls downhill, because partners / senior staff doesn't want to do it. Compensation is below market and benefits are WELL below competitors. Raises are lower than other firms too. Interns are known for "failing up". Those who don't get offers, go to Big 4 firms and have better careers, pay, work/life balance. Those who get offers and accept them actually end up worse off. Take special note of the employment contract that requires that you give notice, but that they can then "accelerate" your notice period and not pay you for this time. This is in line with the MANY ethical failings of this firm and its management. The CEO rose up within the firm, so its all he knows and the answer from him and all management to why things are done the way they are is "because they've always been done this way." A failure of Management 101. The nickname for CEO Joe Adams, of "Joke" Adams is well-deserved. If you like anti-social and undercutting co-workers and management, and being confined to a beige cubicle for the next decade of your life, with little-to-no career opportunities upon exit (because you weren't at Big 4 or a firm anyone has heard of... "what is RSM?" then this may be an option for you. Most of the happy employees are those who saw their parents struggle to come to this country and make a living wage, so they are grateful for working in a professional firm and making an above-living-wage, so they don't mind being openly treated like replaceable parts of a machine.

Explore other reviews about RSM

5.0
Jun 23, 2026
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

The people are nice and flexible WFH

Cons

The pay is below big 4

2.0
Jun 24, 2026
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

- As assurance associate that came over from another public accounting firm, some pros are the ability to work with several different teams. - Hybrid, 2-4 days in office - Learn from senior associates - At my last acct firm never did inventory observations, so got the chance to see what that was like here at RSM

Cons

- Some seniors associates aren’t able to explain or teach which plays a part in your development as a first year associate or intern. I feel first year, intern should be able to leave feedback on senior associates. As if I’m having trouble with a senior who am I supposed to go, due to the hierarchy system they have implemented at RSM. - Can be Clicky & your colleagues will be friends in your face and talk behind you behind your back, I’ve seen it happen to others so I’m pretty sure it happened to me. Houston office can be toxic - Hierarchy system, leave people thinking with senior job titles that they are above you and you can be treated like sh*t - Favortism, you don’t have an equal chance here, because every first year is not put in the same position to succeed. Some first years are able to work closely with partners and the same colleagues but different clients which is where they can have the opportunity to build great relationships while some have to bounce from senior to senior having to learn for each client and adapt to how the senior wants the job done which in turn doesn’t help build relationships. As one can senior want something done such as accounts payable one way then you get to another client and the senior wants accounts payable done another way which makes you look bad in their eyes. Which doesn’t set you up for success at all and can overall lead to a layoff.

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