How Accounting Students Select Firms

Source: The CPA Letter

Principal conclusions from the Top Talent Study by the Private Companies Practice Section (www.aicpa.org/pcps) include:

• Partners think selection decisions are motivated primarily by money. Recruits, however, say potential growth is the most important motivator.
• Compensation was rated third by recruits. Growth was rated fourth by partners.
• Rankings by recruits:

I. Growth.

II. Personal/vacation time.

III. Compensation.

IV. Mission statement.

V. Challenging work.

• Rankings by partners:

I. Compensation.

II. Health care benefits.

III. Personal/vacation time.

IV. Growth.

V. Overtime.

• Both groups agreed on why recruits stay:

I. Mission statement.

II. Growth.

III. Compensation.

IV. Challenging work.

AICPA has published Gaining a Strategic Advantage in Recruiting and Retention, which includes the survey results and advice on hiring and retention. It is free to PCPS members and $37.50 for non-PCPS members who belong to the AICPA. Order it at www.aicpa.org/pcps.

From The CPA Letter, A News Report to Members of AICPA, March 2007, p. 3. To read the entire article, click here.