Although at first glance this may not seem that important, one of the most critical aspects of an incoming staff accountant's growth is in being exposed to a diversity of assignments. A period ranging from two to six weeks is close to ideal, even when the same assignment, if repeated twice a year, totals two to three months to one client. Smaller firms usually have short assignment periods whereas the larger ones will include lengthier assignments. The usual frequency of rotation from any given client is every three years. If an accountant stays on for more than three years he is prone to start not seeing certain aspects of a business that may be there to be noticed.
Excessive familiarity can degrade an auditor's effectiveness.
The question about who does the assigning will yield varied answers ranging from one of the partners to personnel managers. It is nice to know whether the firm provides advance notice, thereby helping you plan your private life ahead of time. If there are certain areas of business that interest you more than other kinds, then you best find out whether you'd be involved with any specific kinds of activities on your new assignment. Please name any large or outstanding local clients. Perhaps, even more than the kind of client, it may be useful for you to know the identities of the firm's major clients, since this information may offer significant insights into the caliber of the clientele.