Vault’s Verdict

Withum is ideally looking for driven, intelligent candidates with strong
communication skills. For students, the firm runs a rewarding internship
program. Interns get hands-on experience and a clear look at what’s
expected as a full-time entry-level associate. For its associates, Withum
offers numerous career development opportunities, including excellent
formal and on-the-job training, one-on-one coaching sessions and group
coaching sessions, and the ability to move to various departments within
the firm.

While the busy tax season means long hours and deadline stress, a healthy
work/life balance can be achieved outside of that time. The ability to work
remotely goes a long way toward helping employees achieve that balance.
Meanwhile, salaries, perks, and benefits are generous, and insiders
especially appreciate the childcare benefits and health insurance options.
Withum also offers many wellness benefits, including fitness
reimbursements, break rooms, and on-site healthy snacks and drinks during
the busy season.

Withum has an inclusive environment, a diverse staff and is focused on
giving back and volunteering. With respect to its business outlook, the
firm’s leadership team is strong, employee morale is high, and, despite
some staffing challenges, the firm continues to grow.

EMPLOYEE REVIEWS

Hiring Process

“Two interviews: one with HR and one with two accounting supervisors.
Very responsive with the hiring process. The ideal candidate that the firm is
looking for seems to be someone with a background in accounting who has
the drive to learn as much as possible and who likes to work hard.”

“The firm is very proactive with recruiting, and once the decision is made
they call right away without making the candidate wait for weeks.”

“Intelligence is important, but I think the most important qualities for
candidates is being a good communicator as well as being a sponge for new
information.”

“I believe my firm is seeking great talent committed to learning, growing,
and sharing knowledge—someone who sees the value they could bring to
our firm.”

Interview Questions

“What are some of your strengths and weaknesses? Why did you choose
accounting? Do you have any industries that you are interested in?
Which class in college was the best and which was the worst and why?
Where do you expect to be in 5 years?”

“What background do you have that qualifies you for the position you are
seeking? What type of work are you looking for and would you be open to
any other positions if the position you are seeking is not available? Which
office are you hoping to work at?”

“Give an example of a time you were faced with a challenge you needed to
fix. What is your greatest accomplishment What do you do for
fun/hobbies?”

“Are you interested in attaining your CPA? What are your goals for taking
your CPA exams? Why did you choose accounting? What are your views
with working by yourself or with a group of people?”

Internship Experience

“The best aspect of my internship experience was the various tasks I was
able to work on (between extensions and preparing returns), learning
about both individuals and entities, and seeing how the work gets done
behind the scenes with processing.”

“The best aspect of my internship experience was the people in the firm
and in my niche. Withum offered a welcoming experience that I could buy
into and feel value in my job. The worst aspect was that I had a lack of
work. This was because as members of the tax group we were in the slow
part of our year.”

“The firm provided me with a general understanding of tax accounting and
what is expected as an entry-level associate. Unfortunately, there was not
much work to go around since this was a summer internship for tax
accounting.”

“The best experience was being able to get hands-on experience with
physical workpapers. I learned by doing and being given an opportunity to
show what I knew and learn what I didn’t yet. But I was not necessarily
provided direct feedback. I would have liked to have received more
communication as to what I did correctly and how I could improve for next
time, especially as an incoming staff accountant.”

Career Development

“The firm is open to employees exploring different opportunities within the
company. This is not just a statement the firm makes, but I have seen it in
practice. The firm provides ample support to pursue certifications and
higher education and has programs in place to promote this activity.”

“The firm has a team dedicated to talent development. They offer one-on-one
coaching sessions and group sessions to help guide employees on their
career path. The firm offers an abundance of free CPE courses designed to
help employees increase their technical knowledge in numerous topics
which is helpful in career development.”

“The firm provides excellent training, both informal on-the-job training as
well as formal training in the form of continuing professional education,
which is required to maintain a CPA license. The firm has a formal program
for people who want to switch from one area or specialty to another. The
firm promotes people when they have proven that they can handle the new
responsibilities and will work with people to help them get a promotion
that they are striving for.”

“Our firm has many opportunities for growth in different areas of tax. There
are many resources, mentors, and programs within the firm to help you
reach your goals. Growth is fundamental at Withum. They really set new
staff up for success.”

Quality of Life

“Best aspects would have to be the flexibility of our firm. Our firm stands
for a proper work/life balance and encourages a flexible work schedule and
is open-minded to WFH policies, which many firms and places of work do
not offer much anymore. The worst aspects would have to be the opposite
of above—in some cases, individuals/leaders at the firm do not believe in a
flexible work schedule and are not open minded to WFH policies. It would
be nice for it to be something that is viewed the same by all individuals
across the firm.”

“The work/life balance that I’m able to achieve is the direct result of being a
remote employee. I would not be able to work the number of hours that
my job currently demands if I was not allowed to be completely remote. I
have not been able to use a vacation during my two and a half years at
Withum since the amount of work would not currently allow for it.”

“The firm cares about their employees and takes opportunities to remind
us of the importance to disconnect and spend time with family and friends.
They also strive to spread the work out so that not one person is
overloaded. Most challenging aspect is just the industry itself. Tax seasons
are very demanding.”

“Best part are the flexible hours and flexibility on days to work from home
or go to office. On the downside are the large number of hours during busy
seasons and the fact that busy season can last longer than expected based
off clients and workload. Also, you can be given more hours than other staff
when performance is higher.”

Salary and Benefits

“For the location I live in and the location I work in, I feel as if I’m fairly
compensated. On top of that, the firm offers numerous benefits to its
employees.”

“I’m happy with the salary and very happy with the benefits offered. I feel
that my employment is valued and I’m not stiffed when it comes to
benefits. Benefits were the primary reason I said yes to my position
because other companies do not offer this good of a package.”

“The health insurance is excellent. I also think there are a lot of group-specific
benefits that are great but not applicable to lots of people in the
firm. For example, Withum offers a childcare reimbursement for 25 percent
of qualified childcare costs. This is a great benefit but only applies to people
with younger children. Overall, the retirement match is low for what I
would expect from a professional company.”

“Salary is good but lower than competitors. Generous raises, bonuses, and
great perks, including for families. Childcare reimbursement is an amazing
benefit.”

Wellness Efforts

“Withum provides a $250 Wellness match when employees spend $500 on
exercise/wellness expenses during the year. Withum also provides a
Wellness Day to employees who participate in the biometric screening. In
addition, Withum pays for the December month of health insurance
premiums if the employee completes health tasks that total 30 points in the
year.”

“The firm encourages wellness by offering a day off for annual doctors’
visits. They provide services that can be accessed via our insurance plan,
which encourage good health and ways to improve your health, as well as
coaches to help employees increase their wellness. They will occasionally
send reminders to ask for help if you need help, take time off, and just take
care of yourself in general.”

“The firm is pretty responsive when it comes to wellness by providing
resources, an extra day off for Christmas when Wellness Day is achieved,
education reimbursement covering CPA materials and fees, fitness
reimbursements, and having a break room for reading, naps, and massage.”

“Dedicated program I signed up for and receive emails on how to
participate and challenges. There is a 50 percent reimbursement program
for fitness-related items, which is great. The firm also takes care of its staff
by having plenty of healthy snacks and drink options available. During busy
season, food will be ordered in and there are always weekly bagels and
such available.”

Community Engagement

“The company has done an excellent job of setting up structures and
messaging around diversity and inclusion. The tone at the top is excellent.
Some of the lower managerial tone is still holding on to outdated ideas, but
those are also slowly changing. Giving back to the community is a core
value that is truly considered as part of the employee's impact.”

“Withum does have a safe environment in terms of working. I don’t hear or
see any drama regarding any sort of bad behavior.”

“Withum has a Week of Caring each year and pushes everyone to donate
their time and money to various causes. I think Withum treats women very
well, but more so for those that have been with the firm. I think they make
a big deal when they promote a woman to partner, or a leadership role, but
I do not see the same attention or respect given to newer female staff.”

“I think the firm makes it a priority to be diverse in hiring. I am an ADA
candidate and was hired here but passed over at other firms for my
physical disabilities. I also feel Withum works with my ADA
recommendations and understand my medical needs. In addition, giving
back is very important at the firm.”

Business Outlook

“Overall leadership appears to be great. Culture, even with remote work,
stands strong, and communication among team members is fantastic.”
“Seems like we continue to grow, but we are struggling with the staff levels
and need to learn how to effectively motivate the team to be more
productive.”

“The firm’s growth has been significant the past several years, which is
great for our staff looking for opportunities for promotions, etc. However,
with the increased growth comes increased workloads, and that at times is
hard to absorb with all the changes over that same time frame. This has
dampened employee morale in some cases.”

“Excellent employee morale and retention rates. Firm leadership is
welcoming and available to staff and makes a sincere effort to make
employees feel valued. The firm focuses on time utilization and teaches
staff to use time efficiently and effectively.”