You’ve been interviewing for new accounting opportunities and now, seemingly all at once, you get multiple offers! As exciting as this situation can be, deciding between multiple accounting jobs can be challenging.

“Hiring is picking up quickly in the accounting sector,” says Laura Gutierrez, a Managing Director of Accounting/Finance at The Execu|Search Group. “With less candidates to go around, this has led to a very candidate-driven job market where top talent can expect to have multiple options when seeking new opportunities. At the same time, they should anticipate stronger counter offers when resigning.”

When deciding between multiple accounting jobs, including a counter offer, it’s important to consider a variety of factors outside of salary. “Salary, while important, is only one piece of the puzzle,” advises Laura. “A job is a major part of your life, so you want to make sure that you are going to be engaged with your work, the company, and the people you are working with.”

To make your decision a little easier, here are four questions to ask yourself about each position:

What are the opportunities for growth?

Your long-term career goals should be the top priority when deciding between multiple accounting jobs. To do this, remember why you decided to look for a new job in the first place. “If you are leaving your job because you have limited room to grow or advance your skills, don’t get blinded by a counter offer or a higher salary,” warns Laura. “Focus on the big picture and think about which position will enhance your skillset and marketability. In the long run, these are the factors that will maximize your earning potential.”

Am I good fit for the company culture?

Culture can refer to a wide range of factors, from a company’s shared practices and beliefs to the actual work environment. As a result, it’s important to ensure you can see yourself being happy at the company you choose to work for in the long run. To do this, make the effort to learn all you can about each company’s culture by doing you research, meeting your potential teams, taking a tour of each office, and asking the right questions.

What will my work/life balance look like?

If you have important responsibilities outside of the office, you should consider whether the job you plan on accepting will give you the time you need to devote to them. This is especially true in today’s job market where many accounting firms are offering new initiatives and increased flexibility to help their employees maintain a better work/life balance. If you can’t work something out with the employer or find that the demands of the job will disrupt your personal life, you may want to take the job that offers more flexibility.

What is in the total package?

When reviewing their offers, many accountants make the mistake of getting caught up in the salaries that are presented to them. However, rather than focusing just on the number of each offer, Laura advises his candidates to consider the entire package. “When evaluating an offer, it’s always important to look over the entire package. For instance, benefits, bonuses, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, and vacation policy are all factors that can make up for a lower salary.”