BDO USA Reviews

Pros

Flexibility of adjusting hours for family situations or events. My manager frequently insist I do a double take when I mention the kids. My family loves it that I get flexible hours for special times.

Cons

Managers sometimes not giving full recognition where it is due. Difficulty with getting salary bumps especially in the down economy in spite of pulling doubly hard.

Advice to Senior Management

Focus on retention of prized staff as this will undoubtedly impact the firm when the tide turns. Not even attention or funding to educate the most deserving people.

Pros

The size of the firm allows experience in multiple areas, and receiving recognition for the work you do. BDO has the resources of a large multinational firm with the feel of a smaller firm.

Cons

BDO focuses on middle market clients. Although this allows for a variety of work, you may miss out on some of the larger clients which would also offer valuable experience.

Pros

-upward mobility
-support from senior managment/partners to develop and grow professionally
-work/life balance & flex programs

Cons

-compensation is on the low end
-technical training needs improvement. Lots of "self-training" courses available, but group trainings are needed

Pros

smart hardworking people.
less backstabbing and finger pointing than BIG 4
competitive salaries and benefits
Good client base
Free parking

Cons

invisible upper management
no articulated vision of firm
Audit and tax do not go to market as a team.
Need to manager on the basis of more than 2 week intervals

Advice to Senior Management

Your role is to make your employees better not tell them your achievements. Many partners should learn to listen and stop talking.

Pros

1.Family Environment
2.Good Salaries
3.International knowledge
4.Variety of Projects

Cons

1.No schedules
2.low level of organisation

Advice to Senior Management

Keep the good work

Pros

nice work place and good people

Cons

long work time and under pressure

Pros

-Workpapers and workflow are organized
-Get to work on different types of projects

Cons

-Long hours
-Low salary / No overtime

Pros

Good experience. Learned a lot

Cons

Nothing to complain. Long hours. but its expected

Pros

I received heavy exposure in the preparation of all tax returns (1040, 1041, 1065, 1120, 1120s). The tax group I worked in was decently sized, and I interfaced with all levels of the higher ups, from Tax Seniors to the lead partner of International Tax. The experience I received is highly transferrable, as I used a software system which is commonly used in all other accounting firms.

Cons

I worked during busy season, and was at the same time a full-time student. I am aware of how rigorous the busy season could be, but some Senior Managers expected me to miss my once a week night class to stay late. The turnover at BDO is high, but it seems like that’s similar to all other public accounting firms.

Advice to Senior Management

Please keep in mind that the Interns are students first, and employees second, even during the busy season. School is more important.

Pros

Open door policy
High ability to get promoted
Even staff are encouraged to offer suggestions
Great work / life balance

Cons

While promotions are fairly easy to get, as long as you are doing the required work, the amount of the raises was very low.