The headline may sound like a joke but that’s basically what departing RSM Australia CEO Jamie O’Rourke told Australian Financial Review in an interview:
Mid-tier accounting firm RSM Australia will not join its rivals in picking off partners from the struggling big four firms as it believes the competitive workplace culture fostered at the top four could damage its carefully curated ethos. [Emphasis ours]
O’Rourke said the firm’s focus on measuring the performance of teams over individuals “creates a culture where people are looking out for each other”, as does its preference for developing its own leaders over hiring externally for senior positions.
From: “Big four culture makes partner hires unattractive: RSM chief executive” in Australian Financial Review
O’Rourke called his firm’s culture “quite unique” and went on to brag about complimentary comments he hears from hires who’ve worked at other firms. “Whenever anyone joins us from another firm, I always ask them, ‘what’s the first thing you notice about RSM?’ And the common reply is that: ‘everybody’s trying to help … whereas where [they have] come from, it’s actually quite competitive internally’.”
Sounds to us like he’s laying it on a little thick. But a quick glance at r/AustralianAccounting unearths several positive — or at least neutral — comments about working at RSM versus Big 4.
While you’re here, check out RSM Australia salaries on Glassdoor.
If anyone in Australia with experience at either RSM or another mid-tier firm is welcome to reach out to let us know about your experience. Good, bad, or ugly.
