Toxic Management & Poor Pay - Accountant RSM Employee Review

1.0
Oct 31, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Met some nice people along the way

Cons

RSM in Adelaide operates very differently from what their national brand portrays. Upper management do not take on feedback, and any attempt to raise concerns or suggest improvements is quickly dismissed. The culture feels rigid, outdated, and resistant to change. The local office is small, and high turnover is treated as normal. They rely heavily on their national reputation rather than building a strong local culture. Salaries are below market, and there’s little room for growth, recognition, or variety in your work. Business development is minimal, and you’re often stuck working on the same clients and jobs year after year. Collaboration across teams is discouraged, and training opportunities are extremely limited. You’ll have little client contact, and management tend to make decisions behind closed doors with very poor communication to staff. It often feels like you’re kept out of the loop and expected to just follow instructions. The management style is highly controlling, with an obsessive focus on budgets and billable hours. If a job goes even slightly over budget, you’ll be questioned about it. They also monitor small things like when you leave for lunch or take annual leave. The overall culture is one of micromanagement and distrust rather than professional respect.

Explore other reviews about RSM

5.0
Jun 14, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Supportive RM team and growing visibility and strategic partnerships with business leaders

Cons

Some high stress situations; minimal recognition

2.0
Jun 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- As assurance associate that came over from another public accounting firm, some pros are the ability to work with several different teams. - Hybrid, 2-4 days in office - Learn from senior associates - At my last acct firm never did inventory observations, so got the chance to see what that was like here at RSM

Cons

- Some seniors associates aren’t able to explain or teach which plays a part in your development as a first year associate or intern. I feel first year, intern should be able to leave feedback on senior associates. As if I’m having trouble with a senior who am I supposed to go, due to the hierarchy system they have implemented at RSM. - Can be Clicky & your colleagues will be friends in your face and talk behind you behind your back, I’ve seen it happen to others so I’m pretty sure it happened to me. Houston office can be toxic - Hierarchy system, leave people thinking with senior job titles that they are above you and you can be treated like sh*t - Favortism, you don’t have an equal chance here, because every first year is not put in the same position to succeed. Some first years are able to work closely with partners and the same colleagues but different clients which is where they can have the opportunity to build great relationships while some have to bounce from senior to senior having to learn for each client and adapt to how the senior wants the job done which in turn doesn’t help build relationships. As one can senior want something done such as accounts payable one way then you get to another client and the senior wants accounts payable done another way which makes you look bad in their eyes. Which doesn’t set you up for success at all and can overall lead to a layoff.

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