Suppose you are considering joining one of three accounting firms as your first full-time job in this career. One firm is located only within one large city but has a large portion of the small-business tax and audit business in that city. The second is a national firm with offices across the country, including the city where you intend to work. The third is one of the top three global accounting and professional services firms, and has offices in the city where you intend to work. Only the global firm has a detailed “careers” web page that describes the job expectations, culture, and career development opportunities.

The other two firms have minimal information on their websites. All three firms have a standard interview process, including a brief tour of the local offices. All the firms will have booths at a career fair event that you will attend. As a job applicant, what methods and information would you seek out and apply to assess how well the organizational cultures at each of these three accounting firms are compatible with your personal values?