Vault’s Verdict

Plante Moran is ideally looking for hardworking, kind, considerate, open-minded candidates with strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills who are willing to learn new things and help their fellow team members. For students, the firm runs a valuable internship program. Interns receive hands-on experience in a variety of areas and are treated like full-time staff. Interns also have access to a ‘Buddy System’ in which they’re paired with an experienced senior who becomes a resource for all types of questions. For its full-time staff, Plante Moran offers clear promotion paths, a variety of training courses to learn and refresh knowledge of standards and practices, and a highly regarded mentoring program.

Although hours can be long and the work stressful during busy season, a healthy work/life balance can be achieved most of the year. The firm’s flexible time off policy gets rave reviews, and senior staff are understanding of personal commitments. Plante Moran allows team members to work from home when needed and adjust their hours when personal situations necessitate it. Benefits also get very good reviews. Insiders especially appreciate the free parking, balance fund, wellness offerings, bonuses for passing the CPA exam, and a work environment that is mostly in person but gives staff the flexibility to work from home when needed. Salaries, though, could be higher, according to insiders.

The firm is very focused on DEI, and its efforts in this area are strong. The firm has a welcoming culture and many different resource groups, including those for veterans, women in leadership roles, African Americans, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, Hispanic, Neurodivergent, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those who are fully remote. Some insiders, though, say the firm could still improve when it comes to the diversity of its staff. As for the firm’s business outlook, it is very bright. Plante Moran is thriving, with a very high client satisfaction rate. Staff morale is also high, and the firm’s leadership team is strong and transparent.

EMPLOYEE REVIEWS

Hiring Process

“After I applied, Plante Moran contacted me promptly and I went through a few different interviews over the next couple weeks, which were all well planned out according to my schedule. I think the ideal candidate this firm is looking for is someone who is not necessarily graduating with a 4.0 but is willing to learn and work to improve each day. We also have a ‘jerk free’ culture, so we’re also looking for someone who is respectful and kind to those around them and willing to help other firm members.”

“We look to have speed and clarity in the hiring process. We have same-day offers that the partners deliver personally over the phone [to campus recruits]. We mostly hire candidates straight off campus that look to obtain their CPAs, are organized, demonstrate ownership and leadership ability, and have strong problem-solving and communication skills.”

“After you apply for the job, Plante Moran is great about getting back to you quickly to set up an interview. The interview lasts for around an hour to an hour and a half with two different people within the office that you’re seeking to work at. In my experience, I received a phone call within a couple hours from the partner, telling me that I got the job. They are very understanding regarding the time to make the decision, especially if you have multiple job offers on the table. They are always willing to answer questions and help whenever it’s needed. The ideal candidate is someone who has some background in accounting (i.e., a college degree) and someone who is hardworking and willing to learn. They also must fit into the culture of the firm, which is accepting, considerate, and always open to new things.”

“One phone interview with HR, two Zoom interviews (one with a principal, one with a partner). I applied in April for August start and was sent an offer by mid-May. I believe Plante Moran is seeking people who are coachable and enjoy being a part of a team and of service to others. My interview process was more discussion on collaboration and personality rather than technical questions or quizzes.”

Interview Questions

“They asked questions that were all action/evidence based such as: Tell me about a time that you were in a leadership position—how did that go? and Tell us about a time that you helped train or teach someone else.”

“Describe a situation where you lacked sufficient information and what you did to overcome it. Describe your leadership style and a situation where your style was key to the success of the team.”

“How do you handle conflict? Can you give some examples of how you worked on large and small projects? How do you pay attention to detail while also making sure to see the big picture? How do you handle something if you don’t meet a deadline?”

“Tell me about yourself. Where do you see yourself in five to 10 years? Behavioral questions on work and school experiences. The basic questions you get during interviews.”

Internship Experience

“I was able to get relevant experience on both the type of work and nuances of working in an office. Interns were treated the same as staff, included in firm events, and met with friendliness from everyone they talked to.”

“As an intern, it was like I was staff. Interns are not treated like they are lesser than staff, and I think that was in huge in terms of development. The firm sets up each and every intern with success in mind.”

“The best part of my internship was the opportunity to work on real clients and actually get some real hands-on experience. I was treated more like a new hire staff than I was an intern. The team I was on was and still is fantastic. I felt as though they were really interested in investing in me, and they wanted to guide me throughout my internship. I felt like they really cared about me personally and wanted to see me excel and hopefully come back.”

“Best parts: 1) Opportunity to Work with Partners: There were several instances in which I worked directly with partners, providing excellent learning experiences; 2) Variety of Technical Work: Plante Moran does not assign interns to specific industries—I was able to work on a variety of tax types and client industries; and 3) Buddy System: Every intern is given a ‘buddy’ (an experienced staff/senior) who is a great resource for all types of questions, whether technical or personal. Worst part: 1) The Hours: As with any public accounting job, the hours were long. I worked in spring busy season and averaged in the mid-50s. Not awful, but certainly more than I was used to at that point.”

Career Development

“One of the best aspects of career development is that Plante Moran is patient with their staff while helping them grow at a pace that suits them and the team well. I have not felt pressure in stepping into new positions or future opportunities that fit my potential. A downside to this is that everyone is progressing very quickly, and it may be daunting to those who may take a little longer to grow.”

“The best aspect of Plante Moran's firm career development is there seems to be a straightforward path on upward promotion and a normal course of development that the team is eager to see me progress on. Like a lot of new things, it takes time to learn and grow, and the team is there and confident in their ability to help us along the way. There doesn’t seem to be a bad part of the development opportunities. I would maybe say that it seems like it takes a little longer than anticipated to make senior, but that might just be because I am eager to do well and hopefully make the next promotion.”

“Career development is very much up to staff, and the job is constantly challenging staff to learn skills so they can advance. In my first four years at Plante Moran, I was promoted twice (staff to senior to manager). I have a good advisory team consisting of a partner and a principal who have advised me every few months as to what skills I should be focused on developing for career advancement. That is important because the skills needed for each position are very different. Staff are focused on technical skill and project management. Seniors are focused on both of those, plus staff management and client relationships. Managers are focused on technical advisory, project management, team development, and industry focus.”

“Plante Moran offers a variety of training courses and company/department-wide sessions that allow both experienced staff and newer hires to learn and refresh their knowledge of standards and practices. The firm also uses a ‘buddy’ mentor system that assigns each new hire with someone with more experience that they can go to with any questions they might have. People stay friends with their buddies long after rising the ranks in the company and can always go to them for questions and advice.”

Quality of Life

“Plante Moran holds work/life balance as a high priority. As professionals, we are able to do what needs to be done to create the balance we need. Communication is key, but the opportunity is there.”

“The firm really has a good understanding of work/life balance. I think that there is the understanding that during busy season you will be working more than usual, but nothing like 100+ hours. There is a huge stress on communication if you feel like you are drowning and need help. They also really stress the importance of taking time off and actually utilizing FTO. As a new hire, I feel like I shouldn't be taking time off, but I was even reassured by my partner that I can and should take time off. The firm really cares about their staff and wants to ensure that we are at our best to be able to perform at our best.”

“Firm philosophy of ‘the whole person comes to work’ and ‘workplace for your day’ provide plenty of flexibility and support to staff, allowing us to work from home when needed and adjust our hours when life situations necessitate it. On the other hand, having our team spread across multiple office locations makes it more challenging to build strong team connections.”

“We have a flexible time off policy. They treat us like adults. We know we have work to do, we get the work done, and we have total autonomy otherwise. I NEVER feel ‘tied’ to a desk nor am I forced to come into the office just for the sake of it.”

Salary and Benefits

“The benefits and discounts are amazing. The parking here is $20 a day but the company covers it, which is really nice. The weekly free lunches are amazing as well, and so are the team outings and women in leadership events. The balance fund has been life-changing for me. Flexible time off that we are encouraged to use, a hybrid schedule, and fertility assistance are some of my other favorite perks. There are also bonuses for passing the CPA exam, and the firm includes free access to Becker or Wiley, and reimburses exam fees. However, the salary is really not good. I feel underpaid here, especially in this economy.”

“Excellent benefits, especially healthcare, but base salary sometimes feels low compared to the level of effort incurred in my work.”

“Best: 1) Food/Bev: I am a foodie, and we consistently receive opportunities to try restaurants and bars in downtown Chicago. I have discovered most of my favorite restaurants in the area through work; 2) Time Off/Flexibility: My hours vary by season, allowing me to have quite a few days off each year. I always take Christmas through NYE off, as well as at least two other vacations (May, October). Worst: 1) Pay = Pay is competitive and good for public accounting, but I don't think it matches the complexity of the work I am doing.”

“Salary and bonus structure makes me feel fairly compensated. Would always like more, but for the most part, I’m not thinking I’m missing out. When you couple in the flexibility in my work schedule and where I can work from, it feels like a fair trade. Worst aspects would be the 401(k) match and healthcare expenses from an employee side.”

Wellness Efforts

“The firm partners with different programs, such as Ulliance Counseling, to provide good support for staff throughout busy season. We also have unofficial resources so every staff has a designated go-to person to discuss challenges they are facing, client-related or not.”

“The firm offers free counseling, reimbursements for expenses spent on our financial, physical, and mental well-being, and plenty of education on things of that sort. There is also a movement club, EAP, and balance fund that provides funding for you to explore physical and mental wellness.”

“On-site gym/fitness center, yearly physical incentive, certain mental health apps subscriptions for free, counseling program for free, etc.”

“Besides having the option to stand at our desks, we have a wellness room that is available for anyone to take a moment away from their desk. There are plenty of talks on wellness, which also includes doing some desk yoga. We also are given a balance fund—roughly $1,200 a year to spend on something we consider to help our well-being. I plan to use it on the yoga and Pilates classes I attend as well as my monthly massage membership.”

Diversity, Philanthropy, and Green Initiatives

“Plante Moran has a lot of different resource groups, including veterans, women in leadership, and a pride group. These are firmwide, so you get to meet virtually with people across the firm in other offices. Great networking.”

“DEI: Lots of energy and initiative and all staff through partners involved. We have had a DEI council for 20+ years, so DEI is not new here. Conversations, though, have increased, and I think our staff notice. ESG: We are tracking and reporting on areas we can keep a focus on, and this will be a process. We have staff resource groups for Women, Pride, African American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Veterans, Neurodiverse—all are well staffed, well attended, and offer great access for our staff.”

“Our culture is positive and supportive and that extends to all people. We do a good job of being welcoming to all, and our official DEI initiatives have grown over the years. The DEI group is a very visible part of our internal team. Overall, our DEI efforts are great, but it still feels like our office is primarily white, which could be a result of the pool of applicants we receive.”

“Many individuals in the LGBTQ community in the office—no one treats them any different than anyone else. Same with any diverse individual in the firm. There are trainings and staff resource groups for diverse peoples and veterans.”

Business Outlook

“The firm has done consistently well in my time here (almost six years) and Plante Moran is transparent about its financial position. We receive quarterly updates from office leadership about office and firm financial metrics. We expect to continue growing revenues at a low double-digit pace, with similar growth in bottom line income. Pay has followed good performances in recent years.”

“We continue to grow our business opportunities, services offered, and client base. Recruiting new talent that fit into our awesome culture is challenging, as the overall pool of accounting students continues to become smaller.”

“Plante Moran continues to see growth, and leadership is optimistic and continues to thank us for our hard work. Leadership is often in the office and makes a point to introduce themselves to new staff and in general be involved. Morale is generally better than what I hear from friends at other firms.”

“I think the outlook of our firm is very strong because we hold a large portion of the middle market and we are good at what we do, with a very high client satisfaction rate. Everyone here loves their jobs, and I can only see this company growing in the future.”