[Anonymous]

So…the offer just came in and it’s a 12% gross decrease from my current salary! I know I have no audit experience, but I thought the fact that my CPA license is pending (any day now) would count for something.

I just bought a home with my husband back in November and as the one making the most (as of now anyway), we cannot financially take a 12% hit to my income. I would like to counter to a 5% decrease in my current gross pay. That’s the lowest I think we can handle.

I’m kinda freaking out here…What do you guys think??

[Anonymous]

I eagerly await an update after your call.

[Anonymous]

Wow what a surprise Big 4 screwing someone over.

God your sig scares me OT I only have 3 tries to take Far before stuff expires

[nigercpa]

I wish you the best. I pray and hope you get a positive response from them. I am excited for you!

Far - Passed 83
Aud - Passed 84
Bec - Passed 77
Reg- Passed 77

[acamp]

“While we understand the pay differential can be challenging, we offer very rewarding opportunities which will advance your career. While the entry level pay is below your current experienced tax salary, our incoming entry level auditors are being offered $53K”

…

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Anonymous]

If that's the appropriate salary in southern california, I would move somewhere else lol. I think that 53K is ridiculous (regardless of how “appropriate” it may be- that's way too low) and it's saving the firm money by coming in with a CPA license. They're saving at least $3000 on study material, all of the testing fees, and also the PTO days that are typically provided specifically for taking the test, not to mention, a CPA bonus if they're ineligible for it because they came in with the CPA already.

[GSU-CPA]

Lets see what happens !!!!! Keep the convo short lol dont keep us waiting too long.

REG-77
BEC -Waiting on score May 5th
AUD - May 30
FAR - Q3 depending on if i pass above two in Q2

[Anonymous]

You really have no excuse to be surprised. You should've gotten this info from glassdoor before your interviews. But Big 4 staff are really some of the abused people out there (tons of hours with low pay). And I am surprised they didn't negotiate with u at all – I've known ppl coming in as first years from industry with ever so slightly higher salaries.

[How many letters do you need]

Counter! That's crazy low for Los Angeles. Making one counter especially when they hit below your current salary is pretty much expected. They may say no and then you have a decision on your hands but it's worth a shot.

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[Mathgirl7]

That is the standard salary for entry level at a big 4. $53k for entry level anything is the high range in Los Angeles. I would never pay more for an entry level person. With a cpa license already completed you should move up the chain faster though.

AUD - 2/1/2014 - 92
BEC - 2/8/2014 - 79
REG - 5/17/2014
FAR - 5/21/2014

CA Ethics Exam - Passed

[mla1169]

I don't perceive big 4 as being willing to negotiate on their offer.

But salary is only part of a compensation package. Is the health insurance better/cheaper? Vacation time the same? 401k match? HSA plan?

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Mathgirl7]

Just want to point out that low salary at strong brand names is very common. For example Disney, Warner Bros. , Sony , etc.. All pay extremely low because they know how much their name on your resume is worth.

AUD - 2/1/2014 - 92
BEC - 2/8/2014 - 79
REG - 5/17/2014
FAR - 5/21/2014

CA Ethics Exam - Passed

[jopa16]

Big 4 pay is a joke for the hours. But it looks great on a resume, and they know they can still get the best while paying the least, so it is what it is.

REG 2/26/14 - 90
BEC 4/08/14 - 92
FAR 5/31/14 - 90
AUD 7/09/14 -

[GuitarSalad]

I know someone who took an offer from a Big 4 firm in LA this last year. She had an offer to stay in her home city at another national firm and expressed some concern to the Big 4 firm about the cost of living difference because she was essentially offered the same salary with the other city having a much lower cost of living. The Big 4 firm actually bumped her offer up by about 1k. It wasn't much, but it's certainly worth a shot so see if you can get a little more. That said, the low 50s does seem about right for a starting salary based on what I've heard.

BEC 7/12/13 - 84
AUD 8/31/13 - 86
REG 4/11/14 - 84
FAR 5/30/14 - 88

Licensed AZ CPA - 10/2014

[Anonymous]

Just got back from lunch…sorry for the wait : /

No luck folks! But as the phone conversation progressed I learned that I would receive the $5k bonus on top of my $53k salary (trivial to argue a $2k difference). I also learned about periodic performance review compensations that I will be eligible for throughout the year (more incentive to work my behind off I guess)…plus they're paying for my phone bill. That plus all of the other benefits (should I actually take advantage of them) end up washing out any difference.

According to her explanation, the entry level salary is, as some of you mentioned, non-negotiable because of some specific term she used (can't remember) which basically means they can't pay entry level people more than what they pay someone who has more experience.

After she finished explaining that scenario, I reiterated that I recognize the great opportunity working with her firm would be and that I'm more interested in the long term benefits this position holds, so I accepted the original offer.

Thank you for all of your input guys!!! Gonna start in August!

[nigercpa]

Congrats! Best of luck…

Far - Passed 83
Aud - Passed 84
Bec - Passed 77
Reg- Passed 77

[Author]

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