Public accounting

We support CPA and EA professionals across North America - including Canada - to discover their next opportunity in public accounting.

Embracing our candidate-first philosophy, we delve into your career aspirations, motivations and ideal CPA firm environment. Combining this understanding with our vast market knowledge, we identify opportunities that align with your definition of success, be it professional development or an improved work-life balance.

We recruit across the full public accounting landscape, including:

Arran Jaiswal USA Director and public accounting recruiter at Distinct, talking with colleagues in the office

Building careers in public accounting

Most people aren’t just looking for a new job – they’re looking for the right firm. That might mean better leadership, more flexibility, capped hours, or a clearer path to progression.

We work with firms ranging from boutique practices to large national organizations across the US and Canada. Many offer hybrid or remote working, but more importantly, they offer environments where people can actually do their best work.

Our role is to look beyond the resume. We take time to understand motivations, working styles and long-term goals – so the opportunities we introduce feel considered, not transactional.

And because we act as a genuine partner, you’ll always have a voice in the process – from first conversation through to offer and beyond.

Imogen Talbot-Slack and Ian Hallam

Hiring public accounting talent

In a candidate-led market, attracting strong tax and audit professionals takes more than a job description. We work closely with firms to understand not just the role, but the wider context – team dynamics, leadership style and long-term plans. That’s what allows us to position your opportunity properly and deliver candidates who are aligned, not just available.

Our approach is simple: fewer, better introductions.

And because we’re close to the market, we’ll often introduce high-quality professionals proactively – even when you’re not actively hiring.

Your public accounting FAQs

We work with CPAs, EAs (Enrolled Agents) and experienced audit and tax specialists – typically with at least three years’ experience in public accounting.

We support hiring across North America, including Canada.

To date, we’ve placed professionals across 26 US states and Ontario Canada, with particularly strong networks in markets such as New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Illinois, Texas and Florida

With a team covering multiple states – and additional secondary markets – our reach extends across the majority of the US.

In short, wherever you’re based, we can help. To meet the team and see the markets they cover, visit our Team page, or get in touch directly.

We provide full support throughout your job search. During this process we ensure total confidentiality and our free of charge candidate services include:

  • Expert resume and LinkedIn profile advice
  • Thorough interview preparation
  • Clear communication at every step 
  • Advice on market trends and compensation
  • Offer negotiation. Including but not limited to;  job offer terms such as salary, benefits and start date and offer rejection.

 

We also stay in touch after placement to make sure everything is working as it should.

No – our services are completely free for candidates. We’re paid by the hiring company.

We begin with a short, informal conversation to understand what you’re looking for.

You can reach out in whatever way suits you – email or phone. And if your resume isn’t up to date, that’s fine – our public accounting recruiters will take it from there.

We start with a detailed consultation to understand your firm, the role and what success looks like.

From there, we leverage our network and attraction strategies to identify suitable candidates, before presenting a curated shortlist aligned on both skills and fit. We also support through the offer stage to ensure a smooth process for both sides.

Demand for flexibility continues to grow. Fully remote roles are still less common but hybrid working is becoming the standard across many firms.

To explore current opportunities, visit our job board and filter by “remote” to view fully remote opportunities: public accounting job board.

Explore job salary averages using our CPA Wage Insights Tool. Featuring ranges and averages for various public accounting job titles and states across North America, it allows you to compare and confirm your compensation against current market rates.

Public accounting jobs

$100,000 - $130,000

Tax Manager

Tax Manager (or experienced Senior) Chicago – Downtown | Hybrid You’re the person clients trust with the bigger picture. But maybe you’re not quite getting enough ownership, enough...

$140,000 - $180,000

International Tax Manager

Pure international work. Proper work life balance. International Tax Manager (NYC). $140,000 to $180,000 Busy season’s just gone. The max someone at your level hit was 51 hours....

$90,000 - $125,000

International Tax Senior

International Tax Senior – NYC ($90,000 to $125,000) Pure international work. Proper work life balance. Busy season’s just gone. The max someone at your level hit was 51...

$70,000 - $90,000

Senior Tax Accountant

Senior Tax Accountant If you’re in a role where you feel like you’re just doing the work and not really moving forward, this is the kind of firm...

$200,000 +

Tax Principal

Tax Principal There’s a version of public accounting that just feels solid. Not constantly shifting strategy. Not reacting to private equity pressure. Not hiring fast and cutting faster....

$100,000 - $125,000

Assurance Senior

Assurance Senior | Macomb, MI | Hybrid | Mid-Sized CPA Firm Most audit roles are efficient at one thing: draining your energy while telling you it is “good...

$130,000 - $180,000

Tax Manager/ Senior Tax Manager

Tax Manager | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan | Hybrid Some firms talk about work life balance. This one has actually built it into how they operate. Two things worth...

$130,000 - $170,000

Tax Manager/ Senior Tax Manager

Tax Manager | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan | CPA Firm If you are ready to take the next step in your career, this role offers both challenge and balance....

$80,000 - $100,000

Tax Associate

Tax Associate | Dublin, Ohio | Hybrid Are you getting to the end of busy season, just to realise there were an awful lot of false promises? You’ve...

Public accounting candidates

Tax Supervisor
$ 0

UltraTax, CCH, Intuit Tax Pro, QuickBooks

CPA, TX

Represented by

Alex
Tax Manager / Senior Tax Manager
$ 0

Axcess, Lacerte, Engagement, QuickBooks

CPA, OK

Represented by

Alex
Tax Manager
$ 0

Lacerte, UltraTax, QuickBooks

Enrolled Agent (EA)

Represented by

Alex
Audit Director | CPA
$ 0

CPA

Represented by

Alex
Tax Manager | CPA
$ 0

CPA, OK

Represented by

Alex
Tax Senior Associate
$ 0

QuickBooks, Excel (Expert)

CPA candidate 2/4 exams passed

Represented by

Alex
Audit Director
$ 0

CPA

Represented by

Alex
Tax Manager
$ 0

Proficient in CCH Axcess, ProSystem Tax, Lacerte, and Thomson Reuters Checkpoint.

CPA

Represented by

Rebecca
CAAS Senior/ Manager
$ 0

5 years of CAAS, Quickbooks desktop and online.

Represented by

Rebecca

Public Accounting team

19 years experience

Arran Jaiswal

US Director
Public accounting
Specializes in public accounting recruitment working with CPA professionals with 3+ years of experience.
19 years experience

Alex Alcock

US Director
Public accounting
Specializes in public accounting recruitment working with CPA professionals with 3+ years of experience.
9 years experience

Imogen Talbot-Slack

Talent Acquisition Director
Public accounting
Specializes in public accounting recruitment working with CPA professionals with 3+ years of experience.
11 years experience

Ian Hallam

Talent Acquisition Director
Public accounting
Specializes in public accounting recruitment working with CPA professionals with 3+ years of experience.

Rebecca Sherman

Talent Acquisition Director
Public accounting
Specializes in public accounting recruitment working with CPA professionals with 3+ years of experience.

Ellie Butler

Lead Talent Acquisition Partner
Public accounting
Specializes in public accounting recruitment working with CPA professionals with 3+ years of experience.

Georgina Ross

Senior Talent Acquisition Partner
Public accounting
Specializes in public accounting recruitment working with CPA professionals with 3+ years of experience.

Lucy Weibel

Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant
Public accounting
Specializes in public accounting recruitment working with CPA professionals with 3+ years of experience.

Laura Serena Rose

Talent Acquisition Partner
Public accounting
Specializes in public accounting recruitment working with CPA professionals with 3+ years of experience.

Curtis Weston

Talent Acquisition Consultant
Public accounting
Specializes in public accounting recruitment working with CPA professionals with 3+ years of experience.

Jamie Egglenton

Talent Acquisition Consultant
Public accounting
Specializes in public accounting recruitment working with CPA professionals with 3+ years of experience.

Bethan Kirby

Talent Acquisition Consultant
Public accounting
Specializes in public accounting recruitment working with CPA professionals with 3+ years of experience.

Abigail Stephen

Talent Acquisition Consultant
Public accounting
Specializes in public accounting recruitment working with CPA professionals with 3+ years of experience.

Blogs

Public accounting salaries: 3-year view across North America

Public Accounting interviews: Recruiter tips for candidates and CPA firms

How to choose the right CPA firm: Advice from public accounting recruiters

Building a sustainable CPA career as an introverted leader: Chase Birky, CEO of Dark Horse CPAs

Busy season 2025: A snapshot of workload, stress & support in public accounting

Navigating the CPA journey: Honest advice from Jacob Giroux

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