Big 4 accounting?

wowlol123 · 02-18-2008, 03:26 PM

how much does the big 4 pay? Does 45-50k starting (is this with a masters?) the average? how much does pay increase every year? will accounting experience be good enough for mba programs?

dell123 · 02-19-2008, 03:58 PM

1st Year BBA ~$50-55k

dollface · 02-23-2008, 05:29 AM

Big 4 pay is slightly higher. If you want to end up working there, I'd suggest that you try to get an internship sometime before you graduate. They pay really well (+ overtime). The "masters" of accountancy really won't earn you much more. Schools usually have that program set up so you can get your 150 hrs and sit for your CPA. Having your CPA will distinguish you; but again, probably won't increase your salary by too much. But most Big 4 will pay ~$3k if you pass your CPA exam within xx years after graduation.

It depends on the MBA program you want to pursue. but top b-schools want to see the whole package: good grades/GMAT, valuable work experience, and leadership.

southpasdena · 02-23-2008, 06:19 PM

5k to pass cpa within first year

Cuse2004 · 05-02-2008, 12:15 PM

Big 4 starting salaries vary between the different office locations. For instance, jobs in NY and LA pay $10k or so more than, say, Albany NY. I'd say mid $40s in the lower markets to mid $50s in the upper markets is about average.

When I started (back in 2004) the range was down at $39-$46, but it increases every year. Surprisingly, the starting salary often increases faster than your raises once there. For example, you could start at $45, and get bumped up to $47 after the first year, only to have a new hire coming in at $48.

Has anyone read The Big 4 Guru's Book of Secrets? (www.big4guru.com). A buddy of mine used it to get hired and said it was really good, but I wanted to see what anyone else thought.

Cuse2004 · 05-02-2008, 12:16 PM

<5k to pass cpa within first year>

Not at Pricewaterhouse - as far as I know there is no increased comp for passing the exam - its pretty much assumed you will and mandatory to become a manager.

Dawgie · 05-02-2008, 03:35 PM

That's too bad, I'll take advantage of that extra 5k for sure. I got about 55 + 5 k signing bonus.

taffy · 05-02-2008, 04:50 PM

KPMG is offering 5k for passing the CPA within a year of starting or 3k within 2 years of starting. This begins with the class of 2009, I believe. They are apparently also the only big 4 that gives you your signing bonus as soon as you accept, rather than once you start work (or at least that's what they told me).

Dawgie · 05-02-2008, 05:27 PM

Now that I think about it, the compensation is pretty decent even for hours worked. Base salary + Bonus + CPA Bonus + (CPA Budget expenses - CPA expenses) + tuition reimbursement for Masters (150 credit rule).

ryanbis · 05-02-2008, 06:45 PM

"Not at Pricewaterhouse - as far as I know there is no increased comp for passing the exam - its pretty much assumed you will and mandatory to become a manager."

That is incorrect. Starting with last year's incoming class, you receive a $5k spot bonus for passing within the first year (the amount decreases the longer you wait) and it is required to make senior. This is in addition to paying for your review course and the exam fees.

"They pay really well (+ overtime). "

None of the Big 4 pay overtime. Some small and midsize firms do, but you'll likely not incur very much at a firm that offers overtime pay.

Dawgie · 05-02-2008, 08:16 PM

She/He said they pay overtime for internships, and he's right. Is that new rule about requiring a CPA to become senior consistent between all firms? Just curious.

COH123 · 05-02-2008, 11:41 PM

How does one get a job at the big4? I have a 3.72 GPA as an accounting major at FSU. The big4 does come here to recruit but how hard is it to get a job?

xjis · 05-02-2008, 11:53 PM

i wonder... my cousin graduated from UVA (McIntire)

she got an internship at Ernst & Young when her GPA was 3.2.
She landed a job through that internship and when she graduated, her GPA was 3.3.

(dunno much about accounting myself because Im an engineer, but Ernst&Young is the big4, right?)

Dawgie · 05-03-2008, 10:42 AM

@COH123: By applying.

Not particularly hard if you get a decent GPA and some interview skills. Another factor is the percentage hired from your school vs other schools in the area, this helps a lot. They do not necessarily just pick who they feel is best amongst all schools. They try to select a certain number of hires from specific schools.

It is a lot easier to get in PwC/KPMG/EY. For reference see statistics on interns hired, and full time hired vs applicants (may have to adjust total applicants accordingly as it includes its consulting business).

Deloitte & Touche profile for young professionals: BusinessWeek Deloitte
PricewaterhouseCoopers profile for young professionals: BusinessWeek PwC
Ernst & Young profile for young professionals: BusinessWeek EY
KPMG profile for young professionals: BusinessWeek KPMG

3.2 at UVA is decent I guess, there are a lot of factors in the hiring process. But it's about the minimum, it'd say the complete cutoff is 3.0. 3.5+ is a very safe bet.

southpasdena · 05-03-2008, 10:55 AM

Every recruiter i have talked to has said that they do not have a quota per school, they have a quota for the office/region that they are recruiting from and expect the numbers to reflect an average per previous years - that is unless the reviews for new hires from a particular school are very strong or poor.

3.0 for me and received offer from deloitte, rejected for interview by all other big 4.