In the second annual Best Firms to Work For survey - a joint effort between Accounting Today and the Best Companies Group in Harrisburg, Pa. - we set out to find which firms are doing their best at keeping their workforce productive and content, even in these tumultuous times. The winning firms were divided into three categories for ranking: small firms with between 15 and 24 employees, midsized firms with between 25 and 249 employees, and large firms with more than 250 employees. Mark Bailey & Co. in Reno, Nev., Braver Schimler Pierce Jenkins in Atlanta, and BlumShapiro in West Hartford, Conn., garnered the first-place rankings in the small, midsized and large categories, respectively.

Small firms (15-24 employees)

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Accountants expecting noticeable increases in their salaries next year shouldn't get their hopes up.

The employment outlook in accounting and finance is expected to stabilize in the first quarter, according to a new survey of CFOs, although the hiring environment remains challenging for now.

Ohio’s CPAs are delaying their earlier prediction for when a sustainable U.S. economic recovery will begin, according to a new poll by the Ohio Society of CPAs.

For many, an internship is an introduction to a whole new world — it provides the foundation for a professional career.

One of the most vexing challenges for CPA firms large and small is how to effectively welcome women into the ranks of partnership. Graduation statistics and workforce demographics confirm that future new hires will most likely be composed of a majority of females. Not only does this impact the number of candidates for partnership, but it also has important implications for the gender of the firm¾

Although the unemployment rate nationally is close to 10 percent, accountants with a tax specialty are still in demand.

Reprisals from recently departed employees and a lack of adequate security budgets and resources are becoming major concerns for senior information technology professionals, according to a new survey by Ernst & Young.

Starting salaries in the accounting and finance, information technology, and administrative fields are expected to remain relatively flat or see modest declines next year, but some positions will buck this trend, according to the 2010 Salary Guides from Robert Half International.

The national average salary for finance and accounting professionals is expected to decline slightly next year by 0.85 percent, with CFOs and treasurers taking an even bigger hit of 7.7 percent, according to a survey by staffing company Ajilon Professional Staffing.

Eighty-four percent of CFOs plan to maintain their current accounting and finance staff levels in the fourth quarter, according to a new survey.

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants has created an online training resource to help accountants hone their career development plans.

Fifty-seven percent of accountants say they plan to stay with their current employer once the economy improves, but 23 percent intend to look for a new job when the economy rebounds.

About 54 percent of employed Americans plan to look for a new job once the economy rebounds, according to a new survey.

The Ohio Society of CPAs has launched a free online job-listing service to connect businesses with contract CPAs during the recession.

As a flood of rising technologies such as social networking sites, instant messaging and Second Life begin to get a stronger foothold in the CPA profession, firms should begin deploying them in business-centric areas of the firms such as marketing and recruiting.

One of the enduring lessons I’ve learned over my career is the valueof having mentors. In my experience, the advice, guidance, andencouragement of a wise and trusted mentor has been invaluable. Mentoring is an ideal way to reach across all generations and share knowledge and experiences that are different for all of us.