RSM is one of Australia’s largest mid-tier accounting firms, combining the benefits of a large network with a supportive, people-oriented workplace.
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
RSM is the sixth largest audit, tax and consulting network in the world, with over 810 offices spread across more than 120 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.
Within Australia, we employ over 1,200 people across 30 offices in both metro and regional areas. Our broad reach means that we can provide opportunities for everyone, everywhere.
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.
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 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.
As one of the largest mid-tier accounting firms in Australia, we provide meaningful opportunities for students across the country in both metro and regional areas. We believe in a culture that rewards our employees with work/life balance, clear career progression, and meaningful work.
We are passionate about investing in your career early and believe in providing formal and experiential training, technical and professional development opportunities, as well as on-the-job coaching and mentoring, to develop you to achieve your best.
Beyond RSM is our national corporate social responsibility program which builds upon local office activities to enhance our overall social impact.
Our Beyond RSM framework is comprised of four distinct phases which include recognising the great work already done by the firm, aligning relevant practices to ensure they support our CSR vision, exploring how we can share our success with the wider CSR community, and providing our people with the opportunity to give back.
Workplace Giving Program
Workplace Giving allows you to contribute a portion of your pre-tax salary as a charitable donation to one of our shortlisted charity partners. It's a tax-effective, convenient way to donate, reducing the burden on charities to undertake costly fund-raising activities. A easy way to make a BIG difference.
Community Initiatives
Nationally, RSM contributes to several CSR initiatives including supporting charities, actively participating in community events, and providing pro bono services.
We also run a program called Camp Coin - Bringing financial smarts to classrooms and home.
Financial skills are important at virtually every stage of life. In an increasingly digital age where the use of cash and coin is also on the decline, the importance of having conversations about the history and value of money has never been more important!
The program targets primary school children and delivered by our accountants and financial advisers and is intended as both a community outreach and brand awareness initiative.
Pro Bono
We strongly believe in supporting those that work for the public good in our community, who are reliant upon funds and donations. We do this by providing business services on a without charge or reduced fee basis.
At RSM, we are committed to making our recruitment process as straight forward as possible.
We understand you have a lot going on between studying, part-time jobs, friends and family commitments so we have made sure the application process doesn’t take up too much of your time.
The standard process consists of submitting your CV and academic transcript via our website, completing a phone or video interview with someone from our P&C team, participate in a recruitment session/interview. There may also be an online test and accounting assessments to finalise the process.
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:
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 to upskill. employees 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. RSM is committed to setting their people up for success!
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.
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 820 offices in over 120 countries. Within Australia, we employ over 1,200 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.
Through our Graduate Program, RSM invests in your career early by equipping you with a combination of core skills and technical skills,, to kick start your career as a business professional. As a Graduate at RSM, you will take part in our structured 12-month Program, My GRAD
Journey, beginning with our iconic Graduate Week!
What is Grad Week? Think networking, training, social events, team building activities and everything you might need to equip you for the start of your career. 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 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 valued member of our team you will experience support from your peers, work on a diverse range of tasks, and have access to senior leaders who will guide and mentor you along the way!
What do we offer?
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 and give you a head start with on the job training, helping you to hit the ground running in the early stages of your career. A great opportunity to further develop your skills and gain relevant industry experience!
What do we offer?