What it does: Accounting
Staff stats: 1,100 in Australia, 41,000 globally
The good bits: Laidback, friendly culture
The not so good bits: Long hours during the busy season
The RSM story
RSM is the sixth largest audit, tax and consulting network in the world, with over 750 offices spread across more than 110 countries generating revenues in excess of US$5 billion (A$7 billion).
RSM’s origins in Australia can be traced back to 1887 when E.R. Woolcott launched a bookkeeping business in Perth. Thirty-five years later, Woolcott registered The National Service Company. In 1955, the firm was renamed CP Bird & Associates in recognition of Sir Cyril Bird’s pivotal role in the organisation.
CP Bird & Associates became a member of the RSM International network during the 1980s and eventually rebranded as RSM Bird Cameron. In 2015, a global re-brand saw the firm become RSM.
RSM prides itself on its forward-looking and innovative culture, the firm hired its first female accountant in 1928, bought a fleet of cars in 1929 and purchased its first computer in 1978.
Today RSM thinks like a 96-year-old start-up, working with businesses, not-for-profit organisations and governments alike to overcome complex commercial challenges. The firm has 30 offices in Australia with 50 principals and over 90 partners.
In addition to the core audit, tax and consulting services, RSM firms also offer specialist services. These include wealth management, consulting, risk advisory, forensic accounting, data analytics and global compliance reporting.
The culture
RSM Australia offers the combined benefits of a big firm including extensive networks, training and career opportunities within a highly supportive, people-orientated workplace. This combination provides a great environment to build skills and confidence allowing employees to achieve to their best.
The firm’s culture is built upon three core values:
In practical terms, this means valuing every member of staff regardless of their background and giving them “every opportunity to develop to their best”. For graduates, this includes payment of Chartered Accounting qualifications, payment of professional membership fees as well as the support of in-house learning and development programs.
Social contribution
Those who’ve worked at RSM and its predecessor firms have long been pillars of the community, doing everything from sitting on the boards of charities to acting as volunteer firefighters.
In Australia, RSM offices do pro bono work for selected Not-For-Profits, take part in local blood drives, raise money for Guide Dogs Australia, Movember and Biggest Morning Tea, as well as sponsoring several community sporting teams.
The recruitment process
While it’s not required, you may wish to do RSM’s Vacation Program if you aspire to work there after graduation. This involves 4-6 weeks of paid work experience. In the past, placements have been offered at the Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney offices.
If that goes well, you may wish to apply for RSM’s Undergraduate Program. This provides ongoing work while you are completing your degree, allowing you to amass considerable practical experience in the accounting industry prior to graduation.
If you’ve got a relevant degree and aspire to work in Assurance & Advisory, Business Advisory, Risk Advisory, Corporate Finance, Tax Services, Digital Services or Restructuring & Recovery, you can apply for RSM’s Grad Program.
The recruitment process begins with an online application made via the company website. This will involve uploading a CV and cover letter, as well as answering a handful of questions. If you make the cut, you’ll be invited to do a phone or video interview with an HR staffer. For those in capital cities, the next stage is called a “recruitment session” but is essentially an assessment centre visit. At the recruitment session, you’ll sit for interviews, make a presentation, participate in group tasks, undertake written exercises and network with your potential future colleagues. Regional offices will skip the recruitment session, only having to complete the one-on-one interview and written assessment. The final hurdle is cognitive testing.
RSM’s grad program begins with ‘Grad Week’. This sees all the incoming grads flown to one capital city. Once there, they are provided with opportunities to form relationships with other grads, as well as managers and partners. They also receive training in soft and technical skills.
RSM is passionate about providing “formal and experiential training, as well as on-the-job coaching and mentoring, to develop our grads to achieve their best”. Its multi-award-winning grad program is designed to “provide you with technical, personal and professional development to enable you to become our next generation of leaders”.
Grads are assigned a buddy, receive guidance from RSM’s senior leaders and are trained up in business development.
Remuneration
While it doesn’t go into details, RSM promises grads a “competitive remuneration package”. It also provides an extensive range of benefits. The more impressive ones include:
Career prospects
RSM provides a transparent career path (i.e. grad→ accountant/analyst→ senior accountant→ assistant manager → manager → senior manager → principal → partner). At each stage of their career, employees are offered the training and development opportunities they need to progress to the next level. They also meet three times a year with their manager to discuss their career aspirations and develop strategies to make those aspirations a reality. Where appropriate, staff are offered the opportunity to attend national technical conferences and division-specific local group training. They may also be supported through the CA program and encouraged to enrol in a ‘future leaders’ course, leadership and management program or partner development program.
The vibe of the place
Unusually for a professional services firm, RSM is sincerely committed to work-life balance. Staff are encouraged to live their life outside of work and can access a range of flexible working arrangements to do so, including the option to purchase extra leave.
RSM aims to provide staff with a “highly supportive, people-oriented workplace” where they can build their skills and confidence.
About RSM
RSM Australia offers the combined benefits of a big firm including extensive networks, training and career opportunities within a highly supportive, people-orientated workplace. This combination provides a great environment to build skills and confidence.
Globally, our presence spans more than 750 offices in over 110 countries. Within Australia, we employ over 1,100 people across 30 offices in both metro and regional areas. Our broad reach means that we can provide opportunities for everyone, everywhere.
At RSM, we understand that starting your career is an exciting challenge. In our 96+ years of service, we have met many challenges along the way and have succeeded to become the largest nationally owned mid-tier accounting Firm in the country.
We offer a number of opportunities for students to connect with us, through our Graduate, Vacation and Undergraduate Programs.
Our Graduate Program
Through our Graduate Program, RSM invests in your career early to equip you with a combination of business and technical skills to kick start your progression as a business professional. As a Graduate at RSM, you will begin your career with our iconic Graduate Week!
What is Grad Week? Think networking, training, social events, team building activities and everything you might need to start your Graduate career. We will fly you to an exciting location in Australia for an immersive and unique orientation, where you will have the opportunity to network with Graduates from around the country, engage with Partners and build your personal and professional skills.
Working with the best and brightest minds in the business world, RSM will help launch your career by offering:
Check out our website www.rsm.com.au/careers to find out more information about life at RSM!
For any available opportunities, please visit our website or see them here on GradAustralia!
Our Undergraduate Opportunities
We offer a range of Undergraduate opportunities for those who are still studying their degree and want to get a head start on their career:
Please refer to our Student Opportunities section of our website www.rsm.com.au/careers for key dates in relation to our Undergraduate opportunities.
For any available opportunities, please visit our website or see them here on GradAustralia!
Undergraduate Development Day
Our Undergraduate Development Day is an opportunity to build on your personal development and get a head start on your career by gaining an insight into the professional world. On the day, you will have the opportunity to:
If you are in your first year of Uni, studying a Commerce or Business related degree and would like to find out more information about a career in Accounting, we would love you to come along!
Our Vacation Program
Our Vacation Program is an opportunity for you to get a head start on your accounting career by putting your theory into practice in a supportive environment. RSM’s Vacation Program involves up to 4-8 weeks of paid employment to gain practical experience during your university Summer and Winter semester breaks. A Vac placement with us gives you the opportunity to experience firsthand who we are and what we do.
As a Vacationer, you will be assigned a Buddy who will guide and assist you throughout your placement. As a valued member of our team, you will also receive ongoing guidance from your fellow work colleagues including our Partners and Managers.
What do we offer?
Undergraduate Program
Our Undergraduate Program offers you paid full-time or part-time employment to gain practical experience while completing your degree at University. This program could put you ahead of the rest for a Graduate role, so take this opportunity to impress and show how you fit into the RSM team.
What do we offer?
Our Recruitment Process