senior accountant

accountant

manager

staff accountant

senior manager

Grant Thornton

What is the best part of working at the company?
I had the opportunity to work at Doane Grand Thornton LLP with a genuinely kind and supportive team. The people I collaborated with were professional and committed, which made the work environment pleasant on a personal level.

However, from an IT perspective, I observed several significant challenges. The department lacks clear structure and governance. IT is driven by the business side, which often does not fully understand the technical requirements or best practices in software development. There is no dedicated Release Management team, and deployments tend to be ad hoc and uncoordinated.

Project Management struggles to effectively connect cross-functional teams, which impacts project success. Business Analysts often lack an IT foundation and rely heavily on developers, who in turn dominate the process, frequently bypassing QA. This results in developers setting their own terms, which can compromise the integrity of the entire SDLC.

The absence of proper QA involvement and clear accountability has led to a noticeable decline in product quality. Unfortunately, this disorganization also translates to inefficiencies and unnecessary expenditure.

These observations come from over 20 years of experience in IT, and I share them in the hope that they may contribute to constructive improvement in the future.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The most stressful part of working at Doane Grand Thornton LLP was the lack of structure and alignment within the IT department. There was no formal release management process, and project delivery was often uncoordinated. IT initiatives were primarily driven by the business side, which lacked a clear understanding of technical realities and development lifecycle standards, leading to confusion and misaligned priorities.

One of the most frustrating aspects was the exclusion of QA from the early stages of project planning. QA input was rarely considered during scoping or design, and in many cases, products were delayed or released without QA sign-off. Despite raising concerns, QA’s influence on release decisions was frequently ignored, which undermined the team’s ability to ensure product quality.

Developers were often given disproportionate control, bypassing QA processes and dictating timelines and deliverables. This led to recurring issues with product integrity and significant inefficiencies.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The work environment at Doane Grand Thornton LLP is friendly and collaborative, with many well-intentioned individuals who genuinely try to improve processes and drive change. The team culture is inclusive, and the social atmosphere is strong — people are approachable, and there’s a genuine sense of camaraderie.

However, from an IT perspective, the organizational architecture is not well-suited for professional software development. The current structure lacks foundational elements like clear technical ownership, proper system design, and standardized development practices. While the effort to improve is evident, the absence of a mature IT framework limits the effectiveness of those efforts.

Overall, it’s a workplace with great people and strong interpersonal culture, but the technical environment needs significant structural improvements to support modern IT operations and scalable project delivery.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
A typical day at Doane Grand Thornton LLP involved a mix of technical and collaborative tasks. My day would usually begin with reviewing and updating test cases, followed by participating in or setting up online meetings with cross-functional team members to discuss progress, blockers, or requirements.

Throughout the day, I focused on executing test cases, triaging issues, analyzing defects, and ensuring clear documentation of results. I maintained ongoing communication with both developers and business analysts to align expectations and clarify issues. At the end of the day, I would compile and report key findings and test progress to management, along with setting projections and priorities for the next working day.

A typical day at work is full of challenges - new client scenarios, every client's records are different, new technical challenges arise regularly, and technology is always changing.  But amongst all that, management, other staff, and other technical specialists are always ready to help and support where they can.  Straight from the top - everyone is valued and everyone's ideas are sought and respected, and the culture is to support one another.  It is a great team culture ... every day .... even while working remotely during the pandemic or during busy season.  That supportive team atmosphere is the best part of the job there.   In this atmosphere, learning is continuous and skill development never stops.

Work life balance is more possible now than ever before  - you can attend to family emergencies, make it to those appointments, or drop off and pick up kids after school -  because at Grant Thornton the technology has been developed to enable working after hours from home, and management supports working towards having a family work - life balance while meeting clients' needs.   

There are lots of opportunities for professional development learning in Grant Thornton.  Lots of online learning and webinars and in-person development.  All provided during work hours.

Grant Thornton really is a terrific place to work in the public accounting sector, and in my opinion is the best firm to work for.

I was very disappointed with my time at Grant Thornton.  The job I was hired to do was nothing like what was described to me in the interview and on boarding process. 

I found Management to be very misleading and unprofessional.  I was given a salary range for the job during my first interview and the offer I received was below the range I was given. 

The culture of the company is very woke.  They company likes to talk about how great of a workplace they are,  but the pay and pension is lower than industry average. 

There is a very high turnover rate. Most accountants who work there start right out of school and only stay on for a short time.
 
Other employees who have been there for 20 years have no business in being in leadership positions.  I had a manager who insisted on reading everyone's emails and was the ultra micromanager.  

There were some perks of working there,  free lunches and drinks.  The office was very nice,  however the culture was very toxic. 

The company wasn't interested in bew ideas or ways to do things.  There were many system issues and process problems and nobody seemed interested in fixing them. 

I was terminated without cause.  I was honestly relieved because of the cancerous workplace.  I was the 4th hire in a row in my department who "didn't work out"  

My advice is to stay away. 


In this fast-paced environment, I was the front line person and the first person, a client sees when they walk in the door. I was responsible for greeting clients and directing them to the appropriate departments. I was responsible for setting up meetings between our clients and managers/ accountants. As well as my general administrative duties, I was responsible for e-filing of all personal and corporate tax returns for our clients and preparing the final tax return packages. I type-checked and finalized many financial statement packages for our corporate clients. I was responsible for making travel arrangements for managers and partners who were attending out of town/province conferences and meetings. I provided vacation relief for our in-house bookkeeper by preparing and processing of payroll for various clients. I organized many lunch and learn meetings for staff, as required. I processed many interac/credit card transactions every day for services rendered. I processed client cheque payments and arranged to have them couriered to our National office on a weekly basis. The hardest part of my job was having to prepare important reports for various managers/partners at once but with very little notice. The most enjoyable part of my job was the satisfaction of a job well done and being recognized for that accomplishment.

I have worked at Grant Thornton LTD on the Insolvency side of the firm for the last 5+ years. 
The last year and half the firm has lost an estimated 75 percent of the staff, which includes a large number of Trustee's and lower end Management , the reason for this is because it is such a stressful environment,  they dont recognize the staff for working hard, the better you do the more work they pile on , the only people that tend to grow are people that are good friends with the Partners, favoritism is a huge part who gets to move up. Anyone that tries to speak up are told they are being negative and not a team  player. 
The Management is driving the Insolvency side of the firm into the ground, it use to be a great place to work. 

They are very unprofessional there has been staff that have given their notice and once that happens no one speaks to them, they have told people to leave  meetings that they were scheduled for, in front of the rest of staff, they are told they arent needed to log off. 
The Managing Partner on the east coast is a flake, she never follows through on anything. It is not a good environment to be at, they are bad for staffs self confidence and mental health

After graduating from college with a advanced diploma I started as a Accountant with the company, workplace environment and culture was okay sometimes but most times there was lots of gossiping, favoritism, politics, etc. I was the only Indigenous person in my office and I didn't feel like i belonged there, my name and race was always mentioned by staff, and especially when the media was talking about Indigenous issues. There was lots of opportunities for advancement but I felt like the Management was always picking over me because of my race. Workloads and hours were horrendous, lots of client and records management, report writing, documentation and file maintenance, audit preparations, etc, work has to be on time if not have to work overtime which happens most of the month but somedays we do get a nice 7 to 9 hour work, and the office i worked at was extremely understaffed which meant more work and files for the rest of us. I could say alot more things than good actually so I'll just leave it at that. I worked there for 3 years on the dot, took a 6 months mental health break for myself, and found a new job at a airline company that works with Indigenous communities as a Accounting Officer and I couldn't be happier with my job. 

great place to work depending on office and manager. Togetherness depends on how many people like you. Managers (there are lots) are stuck up, not sure why, but very selfish. depending on office that you work, they always use excuse of being busy to avoid teaching you , but complain the minute you mess up. The learning curve is alot to handle, I have seen people quit on day 2, faking emergencies. Its a lot and they say they will help but the more you ask , the more they are frustrated at you.
When you get a file, its your job, to get it done and hand in in time with very little errors. There's alot of pressure and expectation. Orientation is one week and you start working alone ( experience or not).
very long hours to complete anything. Just because everyone leaves at 5, doesn't mean work is done.
If you don't thrive under pressure, this is not for you. And if you do, you will be exhausted and wear out before year 1 is done.

This company has been been named Best Workplace for 8 years in a row for one reason - the people. In Grant Thornton, you are able to connect to your colleagues and peers at all levels - no one ever makes you feel that you are "below" them. Everyone is willing to help you, train you and guide you to the right direction. Never have I felt a time where I'm lost and no one is there to help me. There is ALWAYS someone there to help me. The work environment may be of fast-paced but that is only because everyone is striving to meet deadlines and giving their 110% every day. I remember my first day in the company, everyone in my department (and others) came up to my desk to introduce themselves. I never felt so welcomed before, like I said in the beginning, it's the people who built this "Best Workplace". Working in Grant Thornton has given me so much pride at times that I would brag to all my friends about how much I love working here and how much I love my job. This company has definitely set extremely high standards for the type of culture and environment people need in their workplace on a day-to-day basis.

I would cash receipts, assist clients, make phone calls and follow up with clients and appointments while completing all the necessary office tasks at the same time. I would work to relieve the other members of the office.
I was able to learn that with hard work and dedication anything was possible, and in taking the initiative I would be able to move through the company and progress.
Manager was often present, however, they did not give regular directions as I was expected to work independently and complete tasks as I seen that they need to be done, without the need to be told to do them.
The hardest part of the job was month's end. Making sure everything was completed on time and to the best of my abilities and the expectations set out for me.
The most enjoyable part of the job was working with the people and having the ability to learn what was necessary to progress within the company and prove myself essential.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Two days before my probationary period was over, I was let go without explanation and they could not even look me in the eye when I asked them why I was being let go. All I was told was that they were “reevaluating the position”. All feedback I had received from interoffice coworkers (both verbally & in writing) was positive and I was never given any negative feedback whatsoever. I think somebody needed to give their friend a job and I lost mine because of it. I have over 20 years of experience in the same type of position.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
No matter how good of a job you do, no job security.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
In the office I worked at the people were fantastic and I had no clue there was going to be an issue with somebody who didn’t even work in my office coming in one day to fire me for no reason.

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