associate

audit associate

tax associate

senior tax associate

senior audit associate

Whitley Penn

The culture of the department and office I was is was pretty friendly and fun, but that isn't enough to overcome the soul crushing workload. During my tenure, there was enough revenue growth to support a few additional partners, but there was nobody in the queue to replace them as managers, and so we were very short on managers. As a result there were limited engagements with a full team. Managers still have to senior as there are no seniors available, senior associates commonly have no assigned manager, and experienced staff often have to senior jobs, a huge cluster all around. This results in substantial and perpetual turnover. To top it off, there were so many clients that you were never unassigned or had time to catch up on old jobs to get them done. No dead weeks or catch up weeks scheduled, just client after client after client until you quit. Of the starting classes I'm familiar with, most incoming personnel quit after an average of about 3.5 years, and only about 1 in 6 or so will stay to make manager. This doesn't seem any better if you transfer offices either. The comp at Whitley Penn is about 10% below market, and the benefits are just okay. Several folks have left just after having kids because the insurance was not adequate. Finally, if you don't have your exams completed in your first year or two, then you'll be so thoroughly assigned to client engagements that you'll never have the time to do them.

This is a great company with many things to offer if you are right out of college with no other responsibilities and looking for experience. They have lots of online training at your fingertips, but no personal training when you need it. 

When you're handed an assignment you are expected to use all the videos you have watched and knock it out of the park in software programs you have never heard of even if you've had a long accounting career.

There is no structure with regards to procedures/processes and you're expected to figure it out on your own. It's a guessing game by assignment. 

Middle managers hand you your work, but you actually report to partners who never give you the time of day. Even when asked for expectations you are given a vague answer but expected to live up to them. 

I would suggest more of the departments have mandatory days that you work in office per week so you have more of the small firm feel they tout about. With everyone working multiple days at home you don't get to know people or feel included, which is the atmosphere they promote. There were a lot of nice people I met while there. Unfortunately, due to work schedules you may only see that same person once a week.



The reviews that you will read about this company are true. True and the aspect of each individual person experience collectively is saying the same thing. The culture is nonexistent. Training is nonexistent. Asking for help will get you different answers. Seeking knowledge will make you look as if you don’t know it and be questionable in the eyes of management. The staff on your level will be very open and helpful and friendly, but they are overloaded with work as well. The unrealistic billable hours during peak season are difficult as well. 80 hours a week billable equals about 100 hours a week total. Be ready to work all hours of the day and night during busy season. There are no systematic templates forms or processes to get work done. You are basically going to have to figure it out on your own. Whatever resources are created you will have to find them. Versus it being ready for you. Staff especially preparers are not experienced enough nor do they have training for all types of tax situation. Lol level tax repair it should not be responsible for the baseload of the work. There is no partnership or buddy system that you could have as far as shadowing or training or someone to ask for help

Like any public accounting firm, you get what you give here. You need to be willing to work and put in the time when necessary (mainly Springtime but also sometimes in the Fall). However, if you're willing to do the work you will be rewarded. Promotions and raises are basically guaranteed here as long as you do your job well. The partners are all super nice and never make you feel that you are "beneath" them. Most managers are also great to work with and are open to help you learn, as long as you are willing to try and take ownership of your work. I feel that i am always learning something new. Benefits are very good with 4 weeks of vacation from the get go, medical, dental,, etc. All in all, I love working here and can see myself spending a long time here. 

The company itself has a lot to offer and has many friendly employees. As part of the tax team, you have a chance to work with a wide range of clients. Guidance on returns I pulled varied a lot, and the team I worked with changed frequently (many of mine weren't even in my office). Hardest parts were the 60 billable hour expectation for busy season and differences in management/workpapers per office. Many times, I'd find myself attending trainings for new software and workpapers that other offices refused to adopt; I expect that the merger will only worsen the situation. Culture can be iffy, and communication/training was lacking at times. 

Whitley penn has great staff and seniors that are helpful and fun to be around. You learn all types of tax returns and gives you a solid broad foundation of tax preparation. The problems are the low raises given every year. They also give extra work to seniors and staff due to them not wanting to hire more staff and seniors. People are overworked during the off season and busy season hours get to 65-70 for multiple weeks. Its is an ok place for a staff but for a senior and a manager it is not enough pay for the amount of work. 

It is an excellent company for young people fresh out of college and wanting to learn Accounting. There are many opportunities to grow with the company.
It is a very large company and I enjoy working in a smaller more "family" oriented company so it isn't my ideal fit. I was formally with Null-Lairson for 12 years and then they merged with Whitley Penn which has an office in Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Texas City and Houston.

What is the best part of working at the company?
There is nothing good about working at that company

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The negativity, the way they treat their clients

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Work environment is tense and the culture??

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Stressful and condescending. They are not easy to get along with.

Good place to start and learn a lot about accounting and manage multiple personalities.  The hardest part are the deadlines and not having enough good staff to help you.  It has been good for promotion and to grow a career over the years.   However, making partners within the firm has not been as truthful as advertised by the Firm.

 This firm has a bad reputation in the industry. These people will overwork you and underpay you and then give you an ugly face when you ask for a day off. The culture in this office is horrible. People will help you out today and throw you under the bus tomorrow. No privacy within the office or with HR. The admins love to gossip and then talk bad about each other.

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