Overview
Introduction
Whitley Penn is a top audit, tax, and consulting firm that encourages its people to think entrepreneurially and communicate openly. Its managers have an open-door policy, its young professionals get meaningful experience, and the firm takes a holistic approach to hiring, looking for dynamic individuals to join its collaborative team.
Company Stats
Employer Type
Size
Featured Rankings
Major Departments
Major Office Locations
Employment Contact
Vault Verdict
Whitley Penn is ideally looking for positive, driven, hardworking candidates who are eager to learn and work towards their CPAs. Strong interpersonal skills and a solid academic record are also desired. For students, the firm runs a valuable internship program. Interns are treated like first-year staff, get hands-on experience, and exposure to a variety of areas. The firm’s career development opportunities for its full-time staff are extensive. Informal training is said to be excellent, as senior staff are willing to teach, help, and answer questions. Promotion opportunities receive very good reviews. And formal training is continually improving.
Although hours can be long during the busy season (like at most public accounting firms), a healthy work/life balance ...
About the Company
Texas-based Whitley Penn is one of the 35 largest accounting firms in the U.S., as measured by annual revenues. Founded in 1983 by B. Glen Whitley, Jim Penn, and Mark Topel, Whitley Penn employs more than 800 people who work out of eight offices in Texas and one in New Mexico. Whitley Penn offers tax, audit, consulting, and digital services to companies in a wide variety of industries. It is a member of the HLB International network, whose member firms have more than 1,100 offices in more than 150 countries and include approximately 41,000 people.
In 2023, in addition to celebrating its 40th anniversary, Whitley Penn opened an office in San Antonio and expanded its services, adding data analytics and transformation solutions, bankruptcy and restructuring, transaction quarterback services, and data products and strategy.
Employee Reviews
“The best aspect is the ability to have a flexible schedule that allows attending almost anything you need to do with family. The worst aspect is simply the peak and valley of tax season work, but I think most tax accountants prefer that in moderation.”
“The best part is unlimited PTO during slower season and work from home most Fridays. Very flexible work hours to accommodate for things outside of work. The worst part is busy season, in which we are not allowed PTO since we are so busy and must be in the office every day. Long hours during this season make for very little time for other things. But they definitely make up for it during the slower season!”
“There is unlimited PTO, which is absolutely used by many employees, and management urges people to use vacation and personal time, especially after a busy period. Management is generally understanding of work-from-home implications and working to balance effectively. Busy seasons are hard, but that’s just public accounting. There is definitely less of a workload than with bigger firms, but it’s still tough nonetheless.”
“Whitley Penn has a great culture in place. Firm get-togethers are frequent, and they place an emphasis on work/life balance for their employees. Additionally, the time away policy allows us to easily use ample vacation time outside of busy seasons.”
Getting Hired Here
“The ideal candidate is eager to learn and has the ability to sit for the CPA exam. The interview and callback process happens quickly and allows you to feel comfortable with where you are in the process.”
“Driven, hardworking individuals will not have a hard time having a career here.”
“The ideal candidate is hardworking, working towards or has their CPA, has a bachelor’s degree, and will complement the firm.”
“Our firm only accepts applicants who have a good attitude, are willing to work hard and do their best, and aren’t afraid to speak to people (like our clients). They also look at your resume and your GPA in college.”
Perks & Benefits