Vault’s Verdict

Frazier & Deeter is ideally looking for candidates who are humble, hungry, smart, quick-minded, adaptive and ambitious. The firm runs a rewarding internship program for students, offering interns the opportunity to work closely with partners, managers, and seniors on a wide variety of transactions and accounts. For its full-time staff, FD offers excellent advancement opportunities, including reimbursements for continuing education, a formal leadership program, and the ability to work in different areas of the firm to determine your interests.

FD offers many initiatives that help staff achieve work/life balance such as unlimited PTO, flexible schedules, and the ability to work remotely. However, the busy seasons typically involve rather long hours, making balance during this time hard to find. Meanwhile, salaries, perks, and benefits are competitive, and wellness offerings are extensive and include fitness reimbursements, wellness challenges, counseling and nutrition education.

Frazier & Deeter has an inclusive culture and many active affinity groups in place, and the firm is diverse at the staff and partner levels. FD also offers various opportunities to volunteer and give back to the communities it serves. As for its business outlook, the firm is growing fast and on track to meet its goal of becoming the top midsized accounting firm in the U.S.

EMPLOYEE REVIEWS

Hiring Process

“We have a robust college recruiting program and host regular events to attract potential hires. We also attract talent from the existing relationships of our team members. Candidates go through preliminary interviews with a dedicated recruiting team followed by one-on-one interviews with key team members within the specific departments they wish to join. In general, our firm seeks individuals who are humble, hungry, and smart. They have excelled in their academic pursuits, possess a drive to grow as part of a team, and believe in the importance of providing quality service.”

“Our firm is seeking someone they want to work with every day. They are looking for not only people who know accounting but also people they want to spend time with. The interview process was extremely quick, and I was able to receive an offer letter within a couple weeks of first contacting them.”

“The firm has a very inclusive approach to the decision-making process of deciding new hires. There is a significant interview process, but it can vary depending on whether or not the hire is a known contact prior to interview. The firm seeks individuals who are quick-minded, adaptive, and ambitious, using the phrase ‘hungry, humble, and smart’—and 'smart' doesn't mean book-smart but rather quick/adaptive thinking.”

“We’ve increased our strategic strikes of experienced professionals, as directors look to leave Big 4 firms because of partner timelines. We recruit exceptional people.”

Interview Questions

“What made you choose your major/career path? Do you have any expectations from the firm you want to work with? Describe an instance where you worked as part of a team to achieve a goal. Describe an instance where to took ownership of an assignment and what drove you to do so.”

“How do you go about balancing speed and quality of work performed? Describe a time when you took a risk or made a sacrifice despite an uncertain outcome. How did it turn out and/or what did you learn? What do you think of when you hear the concept of a growth mindset?”

“Describe a situation when you had to resolve a conflict with a coworker or team member. What was the conflict, and how did you resolve it? Describe a situation when you had to learn a new skill. How did you go about learning it, and what was the outcome?”

“What do you enjoy most about the work you do? What do you enjoy the least? What motivates you to do your best?”

Internship Experience

“FD treats interns just like entry-level associates and allows for significant growth as an intern. Interns are given the opportunity to touch just as much work as associates, which helps them see the expectations of a full-time employee.”

“I got to work with a wide variety of clients on interesting transactions and work closely with partners, managers, and seniors. Office comradery was high.”

“The best aspects were getting a well-rounded experience. I got to work on many different types of returns and clients and see the entire tax return process. The staff was friendly and helpful. The most challenging aspects were the stress levels of spring tax season and charge-hour expectations.”

“The people at FD made everything worthwhile. Coming into the office was fun, and there was always a nurturing and positive environment.”

Career Development

“Very open to assisting and reimbursing for continuing education and master’s programs. Offers many classes almost weekly on various topics from auditing to tax to leadership to listening effectively.”

“No shortage of opportunities for advancement. But we tend to promote people too early, before they are ready for the next level. We don't communicate effectively to people that they have room for development.”

“The best aspects are the Accelerate Leadership programs and the positive attitudes surrounding helping one another. The worst aspects are unclear timelines and expectations for promotion.”

“The firm allows us to work on a wide variety of client engagements until we find a niche we want to stick with. They encourage cross training and learning new skills. We could benefit from more formal and technical trainings sponsored by the firm. “

Quality of Life

“The firm has great benefits in place to promote work/life balance (fitness reimbursement, exam reimbursement, unlimited PTO, firm-led mental health sessions, and various groups). However, culturally, depending on the leadership, expectations of work hours and commitment vary and can be unpredictable, which can make it difficult to balance work with life.”

“We have unlimited PTO and three to four in-office days, depending on the time of year. We do have PTO blackouts for busy season, which is to be expected. We are extremely flexible and do not have to set a weekly schedule for in-office days (hours that we arrive/leave, etc.). However, busy season hours are what they are. We work late and on weekends for several months out of the year.”

“Client service comes first and inherently drives seasonal swings in hours required to meet deadlines. The firm’s culture places people first and demonstrates the value of its people on a daily basis through progressive PTO policies, health and wellness groups, and a robust feedback and development program. However, there will be periods where to advance you must put the needs of the team ahead of outside obligations. The ability to rely on one another is a key aspect of our culture, so if you are unable or unwilling to support the team on a regular basis during busy times, it will impact your ability to advance.”

“The worst aspect is the tax deadlines and how busy it is before the deadlines (which is out of the firms’ control). The best aspect is the firm’s flexibility on working from home/remotely.”

Salary and Benefits

“Competitive compensation, unlimited PTO which people actually utilize, and great benefits. I don’t care for our new health insurance provider, though.”

“I’m paid very well for my current role, and the health insurance appears adequate. But the 401(k) matching leaves much to be desired.”

“The firm adjusts for market inflation and offers feedback and explanation regarding salary, which is much appreciated. Health insurance has invoked an additional cost (beginning last year), which is not favorable. However, the 401(k) and other additional benefits and flexibility regarding travel, free meals, and benefit expensing make up for it.”

“F&D has good health benefits, which I really enjoy. As far as salary, I think my salary compared to other people at my level (both at my firm and at other firms) is low. I have asked questions about salary increases and have not received concrete answers.”

Wellness Efforts

“Lots of support and programs, including access to Modern Health, a fitness reimbursement, free wellness tools through our healthcare provider, etc. We have a wellness committee, but it's not all that active. We have wellness challenges periodically, but I'm usually too busy to join them!”

“We have wellness initiatives and retreats, brain breaks during busy seasons (walking sessions, massages, arts and crafts, games/puzzles, etc.), lunch and dinners are ordered in, team outings and happy hours. We also come together as an office once a month for updates and celebration of milestones.”

“My firm has a $50 fitness reimbursement to expense monthly. Has mental health sessions periodically throughout the year and has begun diversity groups to connect with like-minded individuals.”

“Lots of virtual classes offered. Very good insurance that includes counseling, nutrition, and exercise.”

Community Engagement

“Women in partner roles and leadership is very common at our firm, but we room to improve in having women leaders in the C-suite. We have a diversity and inclusion program that is employee-led and focuses on support groups and outreach/education to the firm as a whole. We could do a better job with philanthropy. We have the FD Foundation and an annual community day. However, we don't participate in a lot of charitable giving drives throughout the year, although this is getting better.”

“We have a diverse staff. We also have affinity groups that meet regularly to discuss and address topics that are most meaningful to the group. We also have a charitable match option, promote different philanthropic opportunities to give our time and money to. The firm has an Impact Day, which is a day dedicated to giving back to the communities in which we serve.”

“Good diversity among partners but not enough among senior leadership team. Diversity and inclusion committees are empowered to do what is most helpful based on input from their members and have sufficient funding.”

“We are trying and do have intentions to be inclusive, and the women are treated fairly on my team as far as I can tell.”

Business Outlook

“The firm is very entrepreneurial, which has allowed us to grow more quickly than other firms our size. As far as I’m aware, the firm is very profitable, and I expect that to continue. However, the focus on financial results and performance can have a negative impact on morale. We are going through a leadership change currently, so I’m cautiously optimistic about how that will impact the firm.”

“We are focused on being the best mid-sized professional services firm in the world. While we are competitive with the Big 4 firms, our foundation is building relationships with our clients and being their trusted advisor. There are, though, areas within the U.S. and overseas where the brand recognition regarding the firm is limited.”

“FD is in great markets, and we have great leadership. I am confident in our future.”

“The firm has a very positive business outlook. They are often looking to acquire firms in the Sunbelt market that we effectively operate in. The company is always looking to expand and has the goal of being the best midsized firm in the U.S.”