The 2025 Best Firms to Work For: RSM US LLP

CONSULTING SERVICE LINES: Financial Consulting, Transaction Advisory Services, Management Consulting, Business Applications, Managed IT Cloud and Infrastructure, Data and Digital Services, Risk Consulting.

RSM empowers middle market companies worldwide to take charge of change. The clients we serve are the engine of global commerce and economic growth. Our unique middle market perspective makes RSM the natural choice for growth-oriented, internationally active organizations seeking relevant insights and tailored, innovative solutions for a complex and changing world. With a global reach spanning more than 120 countries, we instill confidence in a world of change by bringing the full power of RSM to make a lasting impact on our clients, colleagues and communities.

CMAG: What characteristics and elements would you attribute to your firm’s inclusion as a Best Firm to Work For?

RSM’s recognition as a Best Firm to Work For reflects its commitment to cultivating a workplace where people thrive professionally and personally. The firm’s culture is built on empowerment and purpose, creating space for employees to lead, grow forward and make meaningful impact. Signature programs like FutureMakers spotlight our commitment to development, while our Community Impact Fund and Dollars for Doers programs support their personal passions and our communities. Innovation is a defining element of RSM’s employee experience. As a Digital First firm, RSM is embedding AI and automation into its operations to enhance decision-making and elevate both client and employee outcomes.

The firm’s $1 billion investment in technology over three years spans infrastructure, talent development and industry-specific solutions—ensuring teams are equipped for the future of work. The RSM NextWave initiative exemplifies this culture of innovation. It invites employees across geographies to submit bold, AI-enabled ideas aligned with the firm’s strategic pillars: Be Compelling. Be Digital. Be Global. This program fosters creativity, collaboration and a sense of ownership in shaping the firm’s future. RSM’s focus on the middle market is another key differentiator. The firm delivers tailored insights and integrated services to help clients navigate complexity, scale with confidence and seize opportunity.

Together, these elements reflect RSM’s belief that consulting is about more than solving problems—it’s about empowering people, embracing change and leading with purpose. That’s the power of progress. That’s the power of being understood.

CMAG: Are there any specific programs or initiatives that contributed to you being included as a Best Firm?

RSM’s recognition as a Best Firm to Work For is the result of a deliberate, people-centered strategy that blends innovation, inclusion and purpose. The FutureMakers program identifies and celebrates individuals who are shaping the firm’s strategic direction, delivering leadership experiences that deepen engagement and amplify impact. These efforts are complemented by 12 active Employee Network Groups, which foster belonging, peer recognition and community across the firm.

RSM’s culture is anchored in shared values and purpose which are brought to life through market and local culture councils that drive connection, engagement, outreach and appreciation—reinforcing our distinct identity in the marketplace. RSM’s Acceleration Center for Innovation and its five Centers of Excellence—including the Research Lab and Venture Studio—serve as incubators for bold thinking and digital transformation. These centers support rapid ideation and upskilling, helping employees stay ahead of industry shifts. Technology platforms like RSM Luca, RSM Atlas, myRSM Tax and MyRSM enhance both client service and employee experience, streamlining workflows and enabling smarter collaboration. The firm’s NextWave initiative—our internal, global ideation challenge—invites employees to prototype solutions aligned with RSM’s strategic pillars. It encourages cross-functional teamwork and empowers individuals to shape the firm’s digital future.

Together, these programs reflect RSM’s commitment to creating a workplace where people feel valued, supported and inspired to grow. It’s not just about recognition: it’s about building a culture where innovation, inclusion and purpose are lived every day.

CMAG: In describing your firm, what would you say sets it apart from other consulting firms?

RSM distinguishes itself through its unwavering focus on the modern middle market, its people-first culture and its strategic approach to innovation and global expansion. Unlike many consulting firms, RSM remains proudly partner-owned, which allows it to prioritize long-term relationships and maintain the agility needed to adapt to client needs. The firm is looking toward closing on a transformative transatlantic merger that will unite six countries, 23,000 professionals and $5 billion in combined annual revenue.

This expansion strengthens RSM’s global capabilities while preserving the personalized service and local insight that clients value. RSM’s commitment to innovation is reflected in its $1 billion investment in AI and technology over three years. This initiative is reshaping how the firm operates and serves clients through the integration of generative AI, responsible tech development and workforce upskilling. These efforts are designed to deliver intelligent, intuitive solutions that meet the evolving demands of the middle market.

The launch of RSM Catamaran, a reimagined outsourced solutions platform, demonstrates how the firm is helping clients navigate complexity with confidence. Catamaran is built to deliver agility, stability and deep industry expertise, with a goal of becoming $800M business within three years. RSM’s Total Consulting model brings together strategy, operations, technology and talent in a unified framework that delivers holistic, transformative outcomes. This approach is tailored to the realities of middle market businesses—balancing innovation with practical execution.

At RSM, our people are caring, curious, collaborative, courageous and critical thinkers. We refer to these as our 5 C’s the five characteristics of being a first-choice advisor. These behaviors help drive our unrivaled culture and talent experience, where everyone feels a sense of belonging equipped to serve clients effectively. The firm’s culture and empowerment are reflected in initiatives like FutureMakers and NextWave, which encourage bold thinking and personal growth. RSM is a firm that leads with purpose.

CMAG: Where your workforce is concerned, what would you say your priorities look like for the upcoming year and beyond?

RSM’s workforce strategy for the coming year and beyond is focused on building a globally connected, digitally fluent and inclusively engaged talent ecosystem. As the firm approaches its 100th anniversary in 2026, it is aligning its people's priorities with broader enterprise goals to support sustainable growth and long-term resilience. A central focus is strengthening the global talent infrastructure, enabling cross-border collaboration and dynamic, multidisciplinary teams.

This includes smarter talent deployment based on skills and client needs, supported by platforms like Dayshape and enhanced CRM capabilities. RSM is also evolving its approach to performance and development. A new coaching framework is being introduced to foster continuous feedback and growth, while talent analytics are helping leaders make more informed decisions. Year-end evaluations are now fully integrated into Workday, streamlining the process and improving transparency. To attract and retain top talent, RSM is expanding its workforce channel strategy; diversifying recruitment pipelines and using digital insights to match people with the right roles at the right time.

This is complemented by a strong culture of talent mobility, encouraging employees to explore opportunities across service lines and geographies. Upskilling and digital enablement remain top priorities. Programs like RSM NextWave and Talent Development & Mobility (TDM) are preparing employees for the future of work—enhancing technical capabilities while cultivating innovation and leadership. Together, these priorities reflect RSM’s belief that investing in people is the foundation for delivering exceptional client service and driving meaningful progress.

CMAG: What opportunities do you see as the most promising?

At RSM, we see significant opportunities emerging from the very forces reshaping the modern middle market. Chief among them is the acceleration of AI and digital transformation. According to our 2025 AI Survey, 78% of executives are already using AI in some form and 77% have adopted generative AI solutions. Yet, 92% still face challenges with scaling—particularly around data readiness, governance and talent.

This presents a clear opportunity for RSM to help clients move from experimentation to enterprise-wide implementation. Another promising area is the evolution of private markets and alternative investments. Through our partnership with Arch as an example, we’re helping family offices and financial services clients streamline portfolio management using AI-powered automation and real-time insights. As demand for transparency and efficiency grows, this tech-enabled approach positions RSM to scale. Together, these opportunities reflect RSM’s commitment to helping clients lead through change and seize what’s next with confidence.

CMAG: What market forces do you see as the most challenging?

RSM sees several converging market forces that are reshaping the middle market and presenting complex challenges for clients and the firm alike. Chief among them is the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence. While AI offers transformative potential, many organizations are still grappling with how to scale it effectively. In regions like Canada, for example, 75% of firms report they’re not fully prepared to implement AI at scale—citing gaps in data readiness, governance and workforce capability.

Cybersecurity remains a persistent concern. According to our Middle Market Business Index, 72% of executives anticipate attempted breaches this year, with ransomware threats continuing to rise. These risks are compounded by increasingly complex global supply chains and regulatory environments, which demand greater agility and compliance readiness. Geopolitical instability and protectionist trade policies are also disrupting global commerce. Regional conflicts and shifting tariffs are forcing firms to reassess cross-border strategies, especially those without the scale of multinational corporations.

Labor market pressures add to another layer of complexity. Rising wages and talent shortages are straining margins, while firms shift focus from headcount growth to productivity and workforce transformation. The pace of change—driven by technology and evolving employee expectations—can be difficult to manage without strategic support. These forces underscore the importance of RSM’s consulting approach, which integrates strategy, operations, technology and talent to help clients navigate uncertainty. Whether it’s adapting to AI-driven disruption, strengthening cybersecurity posture or responding to global volatility, RSM works closely with clients to develop tailored, forward-looking solutions.

To meet these challenges head-on, RSM is investing $1 billion in AI and technology, advancing a global merger to expand capabilities and continuing to prioritize its people-first culture and independence—ensuring the firm remains agile, trusted and future-ready.

CMAG: What impact do you think Best Firm to Work For honors will have on your employees? The firm overall? Clients?

Being named a Best Firm to Work For is an honor and means a great deal to us —not just as a recognition, but as a reflection of the culture our people help build every day. For employees, it’s a moment of affirmation. It reinforces that their contributions matter, that their voices are heard and that they’re part of a firm that genuinely cares about their growth, well-being and sense of purpose. For the firm overall, this recognition is both encouraging and motivating. It reminds us to keep listening, keep improving and keep investing in what makes RSM a place where people want to stay and grow forward.

Programs like FutureMakers and NextWave are just a few examples of how we try to support our people in their careers and in their personal aspirations and ideas. Clients benefit from this recognition too. When our teams feel supported and inspired, they bring that energy into their work—building stronger relationships, thinking more creatively and delivering solutions that reflect both expertise and empathy. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being intentional, responsive and committed to doing what’s right.

As we approach our 100th year, we see this milestone as a reminder of the values that have guided us and the responsibility we have to carry them forward. We would be very proud of the recognition, but even more grateful to the people and clients who make it possible. It’s their trust, feedback and collaboration that continue to shape who we are and who we strive to be.