Schneider Downs is a domestic mid-sized firm with ~500+ employees. Schneider Downs is primarily an accounting firm, serving as one of the 60th largest accounting firms. While Schneider Downs is primarily an accounting firm, its services span across wealth management, audit, and consulting. Within consulting, Schneider Downs’ primarily works in technical fields, rather than strategy and operations fields. For example, Schneider Downs’ consulting focuses on technology, risk, and financial advisory.
This article will share more about Schneider Downs’ history, Schneider Downs’ careers, and the interview process.
Firm Key Stats
Firm Website: www.schneiderdowns.com
Firm Headquarters: Pittsburgh, PA
Firm Number of Employees: 450+
Firm Number of Locations: 3
Firm Chief Executive: Steven Thompson and Christopher McElroy
Firm Revenue: Undisclosed
Schneider Downs History
James Schneider and Paul Downs founded Schneider Downs in 1965. At the time, the firm had a narrower focus and one office in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Over time, Schneider Downs expanded into the Midwest, reflecting its growing Midwestern client base. In addition, the firm launched new practice areas, including Business Advisors and Technology as well as Wealth Management. Today, Schneider Downs has over 500 employees and is one of the 60 largest accounting firms in the US. To read more about Schneider Downs’ history, please click here.
Schneider Downs Careers
By joining Schneider Downs, you would be working at a mid-sized firm that is fully US-based. Despite only being mid-sized, Schneider Downs is still one of the top 60 accounting firms in the United States, so you should expect to work with higher profile clients.
In terms of a consulting career at Schneider Downs, the toolkit you develop will be different from that you will develop at a strategy-focused consulting firm. Specifically, Schneider Downs does not specialize in strategy consulting, growth, blue sky problems, etc. Rather, they focus on technology, risk advisory, accounting advisory, etc. If these are areas you are passionate about and want to build out your toolkit, a Schneider Downs career could be a good fit. Otherwise, a more general strategy consulting firm may be a better fit to build out the traditional toolkit.
Other aspects of a Schneider Downs career include:
- Professional development opportunities
- Upward mobility
- A collaborative culture
Schneider Downs Internship
Similar to other professional services firms, a Schneider Downs internship is designed to provide an up-close understanding of what working at Schneider Downs looks like. Specifically, you will be added to a client service team and get hand-on learning opportunities. Additional perks of the internship include the ability to participate in community service activities and networking events. The internship is a funnel for full-time opportunities with 90%+ of interns receiving full-time offers.
Practice Areas
Schneider Downs practice areas include:
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- Audit and assurance services
- Tax services
- Consulting services
- Private client services
- Wealth management
- Retirement solutions
- Staffing solutions
Within consulting, services include:
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- Technology and data services
- Risk advisory services
- Financial advisory services
- Managed accounting services
- Cybersecurity
- IT risk advisory services
To read more about Schneider Downs’ consulting services, please click here.
Industries
Similar to other consulting firms, Schneider Downs works across industries. Example Schneider Downs industries include:
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- Hospitality
- Manufacturing
- Not-for-profit
- Financial services
- Transportation and logistics
- Energy
Schneider Downs Locations
Schneider Downs is a smaller firm with only three Schneider Downs locations. These locations are all located in the US. The locations are:
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- Pittsburgh
- Columbus
- Washington DC
Career Path
While Schneider Downs does not publish its career ladder, it does emphasize the ability for career growth at Schneider Downs. This is in contrast to other programs which are a two-year up and out commitment. Specifically, Schneider Downs enables career growth by providing its employees with training and development opportunities. In addition, employees have significant mentorship and sponsorship which can help propel them forward in the firm.
Exit Opportunities
Compared to MBB firms and Big 4 firms, Schneider Downs has a much narrower focus. Specifically, Schneider Downs does not focus on strategy consulting, operational excellence, etc. Instead, it focuses on things like technology services, cybersecurity, etc. When you think about exit opportunities following Schneider Downs, they may be more limited to things like:
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- Business school
- Working in a risk group in industry
- Working in cybersecurity
- Working in an FP&A role
- Working at another consulting firm
You may not have the typical “strategy and operations” type exit opportunities, given you would have been developing a more niche toolkit.
Notable Alumni
While Schnedier Downs does not publish its notable alumni online, its notable alumni include:
Target Schools
Schneider Downs’ target schools include:
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- Duquesne University
- Robert Morris University
- University of Pittsburgh
- Penn State
These target schools are all in Pennsylvania, reflecting Schneider Downs’ Pittsburgh headquarters.
Diversity Programs
Schneider Downs diversity statement is: “Schneider Downs & Co., Inc. is committed to ensuring diversity in our firm by actively recruiting, hiring, developing, and promoting a diverse group of employees based on individual merit and performance. We seek to create an inclusive environment in which each person is valued as a key component of our culture and a critical factor in our ability to provide quality service to our clients.” However, Schneider Downs doesn’t publicize any employee resource groups it may have.
Schneider Downs Culture
Schneider Downs has rated highly on review sites, with an average of 77% recommending Schneider Downs to a friend and 99% approving of the CEO.
Takeaways on the culture include:
- Great people (e.g., one review here said “the people are amazing and will support you 100% of the way)
- Caring management (e.g., one review here said “Management truly cares”)
- Limited training (e.g., one review here said there is "little guidance or training)
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Schneider Downs Interview Question
Schneider Downs prides itself on being a more personal firm, distancing itself from traditional CPA firms. Many current and past employees have reported that they did feel a much more personal touch while at the firm. You could expect that to carry over into the interview process as well. That said, one should not be too relaxed going into an interview and definitely be prepared. You could expect Schneider Downs interview questions to probe not only cultural fit, but your experience, and knowledge for the role you're applying to.
Firm Interview Process
Similar to other consulting firms, the Schneider Downs firm interview process can differ based on geography, title, industry, etc. Given the recruiting timelines are often pretty strict, it is best to clarify the firm interview process and timeline with your Schneider Downs recruiter.
Generally, interviews at other consulting firms can consist of an HR screen as well as multiple rounds of interviews with increasingly senior colleagues.
Schneider Downs Salary
Per Glassdoor, the Schneider Downs senior consultant salary is ~$115,000. Although this is a senior consultant role (i.e., not right out of college), the salary range is comparable to the salaries for McKinsey, Bain, and BCG right out of undergraduate. Specifically, for McKinsey, Bain, and BCG, the base is $110,000 - $115,000 with an additional ~$20,000-30,000 performance bonus. For a full report comparing Schneider Downs’ salaries to those at other consulting firms, see Management Consulted’s salary report here.
Conclusion
Schneider Downs is a mid-size accounting firm founded in the 1960s that has a fully domestic presence. Schneider Downs has ~500 employees. While Schneider Downs is primarily a tax firm, it does have a consulting arm. The consulting arm does not focus on strategy consulting rather it does more technical work (e.g., risk advisory services). Schneider Downs works across industries. Target schools include University of Pittsburgh and Penn State.
If you have an upcoming Schneider Downs interview and want to prep with an ex-MBB consultant, please click here.
Additional Resources:
- Top Consulting Firms of 2023
- Boutique Consulting Firms
- Consulting Resume: Complete Guide
- Case Interview: Complete Prep Guide