Vault’s Verdict

BDO is ideally looking for motivated, driven, hardworking, collaborative, curious, eager-to-learn team players with strong communication skills. For students, the firm runs a highly rewarding internship program. Former interns rave about the hands-on experience, exposure to real client work, and supportive and helpful colleagues they encountered. For its full-time staff, BDO offers numerous growth opportunities, including excellent on-the-job training, a formal mentoring program, and stretch assignments for those seeking them out. One area of improvement, according to insiders, is the firm’s formal training offerings.

While the busy seasons can mean long hours and high stress, the firm offers a ton of flexibility that helps staff achieve a healthy work-life balance outside of peak periods. Insiders rave about the remote work options, generous PTO, BDO Flex policy, and understanding managers. Meanwhile, compensation and benefits are competitive. Although some insiders say salaries could be higher, given the number of hours they work, a majority say that benefits are extremely generous, with the firm’s 401(k) and ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) getting exceptional reviews.

BDO’s business outlook is said to be strong. The firm is in the process of going through a leadership change, getting a new CEO in the summer of 2026, and most insiders are encouraged by the C-Suite change. However, some staff note that not all changes thus far have been positive, such as some increases in in-office days, depending on location and practice. For the most part, though, insiders say BDO is very well positioned as a national, leading firm to continue to grow and thrive.

EMPLOYEE REVIEWS

Quality of Life

• “BDO Flex allows me to fit my work hours to my schedule without needing formal approval. Each time an appointment pops up, I am able to flex my hours as long as I make them up within the same week. I love this aspect and find it very helpful when maintaining a work-life balance.”
• “The best aspect of my firm’s overall quality of life is the flexibility and the ability to work from home, which has helped me be more productive and better manage my schedule. The most challenging aspect is the increasing push to bring people back into the office, which will likely impact productivity and overall balance. When working from home, I often put in extra hours because I’m not commuting; if commuting time returns, I’ll need to reinforce boundaries so that time is reserved for personal responsibilities and well-being rather than additional work.”
• “The best aspects are the flexibility of our hours that allows us to get more work done that fits with our personal lives and the variety of the engagements you get to work on, making the work more engaging. The worst aspects are the unpredictability of hours during busy season where last-minute changes can happen.”
• “Going into public accounting, you need to be ready to work long hours as that is the nature of the job. With that being said, I think that BDO does a good job of trying to create work-life balance. The push to use offshore resources during the night is one way that I see this happening. Of course, there will always be long hours, but I am at a firm where I feel supported when it comes to making sure I have a life outside of work.”

Compensation

• “I feel well compensated. We also receive ESOP distributions equal to about 10 percent of our annual W-2 earnings, which is a great perk. I’m also happy with our PTO policy. It’s accrual-based with a maximum cap, and if you plan it well, it can be very generous. I actually feel like I take more time off than friends at firms with unlimited PTO. I don’t use many of the other perks as much, but I do value the 401(k) match. I’m not sure how it compares elsewhere, but overall I have no concerns with my compensation or the benefits we receive.”
• “Our firm is amazing with benefits and perks, and they take great care of us. I do think with the hours we put in, though, that our base salaries should be higher.”
• “ESOP is a nice benefit. Also, BDO’s flex and health insurance benefits are good. 401(k) match is good as well. But base salary seems on the lower side to me and below market.”
• “BDO USA P.C.’s salary, benefits, and perks for entry-level and mid-experienced assurance professionals are a trade-off between slightly below-market base pay and a lower-than-average industry bonus on the one hand, and the long-term value of an ESOP stake plus solid benefits on the other—the ESOP can be a distinctive wealth-building and ownership-alignment feature that becomes more compelling with tenure.”

Career Development

• “BDO offers strong on-the-job learning through varied client work and the chance to take on increasing responsibility quickly. There are also solid training resources and good access to leaders for coaching and feedback, especially if you’re proactive about seeking stretch opportunities. Everyone also has a career advisor (someone at a management level), and many have a ‘Buddy’ that can offer mentorship. Development support can vary a bit by team, and during peak periods there’s naturally less time for formal coaching.”
• “Clear growth pathways and frequent coaching. There’s generally good visibility into what it takes to progress (skills, competencies, performance expectations), supported by regular check-ins and feedback.”
• “I think the firm’s formal training could use some development, but I also recognize that most of the work we do is better learned by actually doing it. I have had great experiences in my office with informal training. There are so many people in my office who have a passion for teaching and want to help.”
• “BDO offers some of the best opportunities when it comes to mobility within the firm. I have personally moved between teams three times in my career, including an international move. I have also always been very clear on what is needed for a promotion and believe the standards applied are fair. There is a pretty flat structure as well, so you get a lot of face time with higher ups that help move your career forward.”

Business Outlook

• “BDO continues to serve a segment that has traditionally been overlooked by the Big 4: mid-sized multinationals that still generate significant value and operate important businesses internationally. This allows us to stay busy and create work for younger professionals so they can gain experience across different technical areas. “
• “BDO’s outlook appears strong given continued client demand across tax, advisory, and compliance, and the firm competes well in the middle market with the ability to bring integrated specialists when needed. There’s also meaningful investment in technology and process improvement, and overall the brand and platform feel well positioned for growth. However, like the rest of the profession, the firm faces ongoing staffing and retention pressure, and margin/realization focus can increase workload intensity at times. Employee morale can also vary by office, depending on staffing levels and how consistently leadership communicates priorities and strategy.”
• “I'm cautiously optimistic because we have a new CEO taking over this year. He’s been at BDO his entire career, and I think he’ll bring new and exciting life back to our firm.”
• “We’re getting new leadership right now, and they’re trying to make a lot of changes. I don’t feel like all of the changes are necessary, and they don’t all seem super organized or actionable, but the intent is positive and it feels like leadership is still keeping the individual employee in mind.”

Intern Experience

• “Best part was gaining exposure to several different types of tax returns and gaining hands-on experience on preparing returns from start to finish, while also learning how to use the different software.”
• “The best parts were becoming more knowledgeable and the people I was surrounded by. I felt welcomed and encouraged to try, even when I was inexperienced in the area. As an intern, you know your job is to be a sponge, grow, and learn, and at BDO, that mindset was always emphasized. Throughout the internship, I felt important, even when my skills were limited. I was reminded that my work was appreciated and that I was making a meaningful contribution, even though I’m sure I only helped in a small way. In addition, I received helpful feedback that encouraged me to keep improving at work.”
• “My internship experience was incredible. I think the most challenging part of it was juggling school and work, but BDO was understanding and flexible so even that wasn’t a true struggle for me. The best part of the internship was the real work I completed. I was able to work on real client work and interact with real clients that gave me real, applicable experience.”
• “The best aspect of my internship experience was the people I interacted with. It always felt like each person cared about me and my future in accounting. They took the time to explain everything I was working on so that I not only knew how to do it but also knew the importance of why we were doing the work in the first place. One drawback was the internship was during the summer, so the work was slower than usual and I had some downtime.”

Hiring Process

• “Interview/callback process is generally structured and professional, with an emphasis on behavioral questions, resume walk-through, and practical discussions around client service and teamwork. Communication is typically timely, and callbacks focus on fit with the team, interest in the specific service line, and your ability to handle deadlines and competing priorities. Ideal candidates BDO tends to look for are collaborative, client service-oriented, and comfortable taking ownership early. Strong communication skills, intellectual curiosity, and a willingness to learn (and ask questions) matter as much as technical skills, along with a demonstrated ability to manage workload during peak periods and contribute positively to team culture.”
• “We are a well-respected national brand. I go to recruiting events at colleges (‘meet the firms’) and am involved in our interview process, and I can say that we get a lot of attention at these school events and the interviews are with very intelligent students (both on paper and socially). We are seeking candidates who have technical skills, are quick to learn, and have soft skills like communication and organization.”
• “We are looking for motivated individuals who are willing to learn and put in the effort. Public accounting is hard, especially during busy season. We are looking for individuals who want to and are able to work in a team environment. We have a strong focus on relationships, so that is important in a candidate.”
• “For me, the process was really smooth and they kept me updated throughout the whole process. I think BDO is looking for someone who is driven. You don’t necessarily need all the technical knowledge, but if you come in with a willingness to learn and grow, then you’ll do well.”

Interview Questions

• Tell me about yourself. Where do you see yourself in five/10 years? Tell me about a time when you had to overcome some challenges in a group work setting? Tell me about a time you had to navigate a difficult situation with a client?”
• “What are your strengths and weaknesses? What makes you strive? Where do you find joy in your work?”
• “Describe a time when you had to deliver an unpopular message to a client or team member. Describe a situation where you had incomplete information but still had to move forward. Describe a situation where you had to step into a role outside your formal responsibilities. Give an example of a time when you made a mistake. How did you address it? If a client challenges your conclusion, how would you respond? Walk me through how you would manage multiple deadlines at the same time.”
• “Why public accounting? Why BDO? What type of industries are you looking to audit? Explain a time when you experienced a challenge working on a team. What did you do to ensure the project was still successful?”

UPPERS

• “Excellent, supportive colleagues and good culture.”
• “The flexibility and ability to work remotely.”
• “Many learning opportunities and early responsibility.”

DOWNERS

• “The hours—working weekends and overtime takes its toll on you.”
• “Too many administrative chores that are burdensome and ineffective.”
• “Low compensation.”