[stephe49]

I am in my first year of public accounting and I don’t know who to ask about raises. I work in a satelite office of my company, so everyone here is new. Can someone tell me what the firm standard is for raises,bonuses, and inflation adjustments?

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[futureCPA12]

As I go into public accounting next week, my expectations are a $5,000 raise once I become a Staff 2 and then a more substantial raise (maybe 10K) when I become a Senior. That just seems like what happens based on glassdoor salaries. If you really want to know, I don't think it's a bad thing to inquire with HR. They are the ones that you would approach.

[futureCPA12]

As I go into public accounting next week, my expectations are a $5,000 raise once I become a Staff 2 and then a more substantial raise (maybe 10K) when I become a Senior. That just seems like what happens based on glassdoor salaries. If you really want to know, I don't think it's a bad thing to inquire with HR. They are the ones that you would approach.

[Never_Give_Up1]

They have an annual raise and promotion date usually. This is normally after the busy season in the summer or in the fall. Some places give bonuses to everyone, other once you hit a certain level in the firm. It is something you should talk with your HR department about.

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[Never_Give_Up1]

They have an annual raise and promotion date usually. This is normally after the busy season in the summer or in the fall. Some places give bonuses to everyone, other once you hit a certain level in the firm. It is something you should talk with your HR department about.

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[Never_Give_Up1]

A $10,000 increase on top of a $5,000 increase is no way realistic. Granted it depends on where you live and how the movement works, but that is a 10% raise your first year and then a 18% raise in your second year. If you start at about $50. Know that when you hit senior, you should be about $60.

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[Never_Give_Up1]

A $10,000 increase on top of a $5,000 increase is no way realistic. Granted it depends on where you live and how the movement works, but that is a 10% raise your first year and then a 18% raise in your second year. If you start at about $50. Know that when you hit senior, you should be about $60.

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[Never_Give_Up1]

Now if you include bonuses, you are probably pretty close. But as a BASE salary, that amount is high.

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[Never_Give_Up1]

Now if you include bonuses, you are probably pretty close. But as a BASE salary, that amount is high.

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[futureCPA12]

@never_Give_up Obviously it will depend on what firm you are at. It looks like my firm starts Staff I at 58K, then Staff II is 63K, Senior is around 70K, and then Senior Manager is around 80K. But it probably also varies on the employee. I'm sure employees at the same level aren't always paid the same. Isn't that what negotiation is all about?

[futureCPA12]

@never_Give_up Obviously it will depend on what firm you are at. It looks like my firm starts Staff I at 58K, then Staff II is 63K, Senior is around 70K, and then Senior Manager is around 80K. But it probably also varies on the employee. I'm sure employees at the same level aren't always paid the same. Isn't that what negotiation is all about?

[Never_Give_Up1]

Only negotiation you have will be when you get hired. Once you are on, there is not much you can do about your salary trajectory other than perform well. When you get sat down for your evaluation and they say, “we like you, here is what you can improve on, and based on that, we are going to give you a 6,000 raise.” You are going to accept that raise, and if you don't think it is fair, you will then look for employment elsewhere. Because if you start arguing about salary during your evaluation over a couple thousand dollars, they will fire you. There are TONS of people who would love to get into public accounting that never get the chance. You going to risk the opportunities that being in public brings for a couple thousand dollars?

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[Never_Give_Up1]

Only negotiation you have will be when you get hired. Once you are on, there is not much you can do about your salary trajectory other than perform well. When you get sat down for your evaluation and they say, “we like you, here is what you can improve on, and based on that, we are going to give you a 6,000 raise.” You are going to accept that raise, and if you don't think it is fair, you will then look for employment elsewhere. Because if you start arguing about salary during your evaluation over a couple thousand dollars, they will fire you. There are TONS of people who would love to get into public accounting that never get the chance. You going to risk the opportunities that being in public brings for a couple thousand dollars?

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[futureCPA12]

I was taught in my Behavioral Management class last year that you should always try negotiation unless its not open to one. What's the worst that would happen? You request a couple thousand dollars more than they present to you. They can't just say, “No, we can't do that. You're fired.” That would be grounds for an employee to sue out of wrongful termination. You always try to negotiate and if they don't budge, you either look elsewhere or take the raise they offer you…

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