audit associate

tax intern

tax associate

senior consultant

summer associate

Armanino LLP

PROS:

The employees are outstanding. In my experience, teams were capable, responsive, and consistently willing to support one another through shifting priorities. Colleagues demonstrated high levels of professionalism and problem-solving, frequently stepping in to keep work moving when systems or processes were still evolving.

Earlier in my tenure, the environment balanced productivity with autonomy and mutual respect. Even during later changes, individual contributors and frontline managers remained the strongest part of the organization and were central to maintaining day-to-day client service.

CONS:

In my experience, the employee experience changed over time, particularly following a change in ownership structure that coincided with a shift toward private-equity-style growth and utilization targets, as communicated internally. During this period, there was an increased emphasis on utilization, scalability, and expansion, while investment in infrastructure, staffing, and operational support did not always increase at the same pace.

I observed decision-making becoming more centralized, with less frequent incorporation of feedback from teams closest to client-facing work. Organization-wide initiatives were introduced regularly and framed as strategic improvements; however, the day-to-day operational impact on teams was often substantial and required ongoing adaptation.

Over time, expectations continued to rise while staffing levels and support structures remained largely unchanged. These challenges were not due to resistance to change—teams adapted repeatedly—but rather the pace and sequencing of initiatives relative to available capacity.

ADVICE TO LEADERSHIP:

Continue to gather input from long-tenured and client-facing employees earlier in planning processes, particularly during periods of structural or ownership transition. Growth can be sustainable when timelines and expectations align with operational capacity. Acknowledging the scope and operational impact of recent changes alongside future-focused messaging may help rebuild alignment and trust.


Work-life balance
Work-life balance at Armanino LLP is ok in the slow season. Fall busy season is surprisingly busy for such a small firm. There is Unlimited PTO, but with strict PTO blackout dates and a very rigid and unclear system for approval. Sometimes you feel guilty for taking PTO.

Pay & benefits
My pay and benefits at Armanino LLP are good. Pay is actually decent and health insurance is really cheap if you're single. Add on a spouse or dependent, and the cost shoots through the roof. You might as well just buy insurance yourself.

Job security and advancement
In terms of job security at Armanino LLP, I think it's ok. A decent amount of layoffs during COVID, although it wasn't well communicated by leadership. Outside of COVID, it's pretty good job security as it usually is in public accounting. Advancement is a bit slow, and when you do get promoted, it's basically a pay raise and new title, but the responsibilities barely change. If you're in tax, you'll be preparing returns for a lot longer than you would if you were at a different firm.

Management
In general, managers at Armanino LLP, good at providing lip service at making you feel empowered, but at the end of the day, all that matters is billable hours. Micromanaging, especially since COVID, is a little nuts

Culture
Collaboration with my colleagues at Armanino LLP is solid

Overall
My experience working at Armanino LLP has been disappointing. When you interview, they make it seem like they're some cutting edge accounting firm but the reality is they are way behind their competitors. Other firms of the same size have much more resources and better processes. They seem to think they're a big firm, but operate like a small single office firm.

Management is terrible. the firm often promises internal hires a promotion or raise but its always a lie. Raises are locked at 3% max, most leadership roles are given to friends of the partners who absolutely are not qualified for it. And because they are not qualified for it they expect managers and staff to do their job for them. The main thing leadership is good at is throwing other people under the bus. For example most partners who don't hit goal or are below sales goal will punish their staff and managers for not selling rather than take accountability. Often when asking for work as a staff I was told to "just go sell" and then when selling was told, "you also have to keep your hours up" despite the fact that I asked for work and wasnt given it, and this is the norm there for almost everyone who isnt leadership. I left and since leaving got a promotion, a raise and my efforts praised. Do yourself a favor and leave, trust me you'll be better off. 

Awesome alternative if you are not looking for the competitive, cut-throat vibe you find at a big 4 firm. They like to do things less traditionally and try to take an entrepreneurial stance on when they can. The exposure to many different clients, industries, and controllers/CFO's in Northern California is a really cool aspect of working here.

Morale is usually very high, with the exception of busy season hours that all CPA's experience in that time of year. I was always happy to be there and if there was an issue, I had unlimited access to talk about it with partners and managers.

They hire very bright people, very outgoing people, and very hardworking people-- but they also focus on hiring people that embody their core values such as entrepreneurship, diversity, continuing excellence, and work life balance. If you make an effort to get to know the people around you, it will quickly feel like a family.

My experience as a Senior Associate at Armanino’s tax services division was extremely disappointing. While I expected a fast-paced and challenging work environment, what I encountered was a culture of toxicity and condescension, particularly from the key partner. She fostered an environment where belittling and dismissive behavior were the norm rather than the exception. Instead of mentorship and collaboration, there was a pervasive sense of micromanagement and unconstructive criticism that made professional growth nearly impossible.

The overall team dynamics suffered as a result, leading to low morale that still exists today. Employees were often overworked and undervalued, with little regard for work-life balance. If you’re seeking a workplace that values respect, support, and professional development, I strongly recommend looking elsewhere.

Much of the experience at Armanino is based on which office you're in and who you know. I, unfortunately, was not in the best office and did not have many of my managers fighting for me. A lot of what went on at the firm was based on if people like you, not on merit. Granted people would of course like it if you're doing a good job. However, there is no standard of what "doing well" is and it's not the ultimate measure when seeking to promote. Basically, you just have to learn how to get on people's good side if you want to succeed at the company. 

The company itself is a great company. They are forward-thinking, modern, inclusive. LGTBQ and racially inclusive. Women empowering, especially within management positions. They think about environmental and community impact. They really go above and beyond as a company. The jobs themselves are what they are, but sometimes the right employer makes all the difference in the world. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
RBZ was a great accounting firm to work for before Armanino took over, a bunch of self centered, arrogant people that think the world revolves around them.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Dealing with the upper management 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
It sucks to work at Armanino, they don’t appreciate hard work they expect it

provides a dynamic and supportive environment where professionals can grow their careers while working on meaningful and challenging projects. The combination of mentorship, innovation, and collaboration makes it an excellent place for accountants and consultants who are committed to continuous learning.

If you must work in public accounting, it might as well be fun, with a diverse client base, good people, and plenty of room for growth.  Armanino is that firm.  There is a reason they are one of the top 20 fastest growing firms in the country, and why employee retention there is high above industry average.  To me that speaks to leadership, and a purposeful commitment to leading people, be it employees or clients, rather than simply managing them.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Audit associate 16 salaries reported	$84,266 per year
Tax intern 28 salaries reported	$34.39 per hour
Tax associate 13 salaries reported	$83,136 per year
Senior consultant 12 salaries reported	$117,650 per year
Summer associate 4 salaries reported	$77,292 per year

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