[lastsection4mee]

I recently joined a top fifteen firm after working for almost a year at a smaller firm. I did a mixture of tax and audit so I do have experience for the audit position I recently got. I was hired as an experienced associate and I also have my CPA certification.

I recently learned that my salary is only one to two thousand dollars higher than the entry levels. Does it not seem like I am getting shafted here?

[Mayo]

Not really. Re you coming in at the same level?

If not, then yah..maybe getting shafted a bit. Is there a bonus for passingthe CPA exam at least?

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Anonymous]

It all depends on your firm. My company offers incentive based on performance. The tier 1 MBA and CPA will get you in the door. Everything else is in your hands including promotions and quarterly reviews.

However, I know big 4 gives a $15K bump upon completion. It all depends on where you work.

[Anonymous]

A couple of questions:

1. Did you have your license when you went to work there?

2. Do the entry level employees have licenses?

3. Do you supervise any of them?

4. Did you have supervision experience at the last firm?

The answers to these questions will help me accurately put in my .02 worth.

[Anonymous]

“However, I know big 4 gives a $15K bump upon completion. It all depends on where you work.”

From my experience in the big 4 and having friends at the other big 4, this is just plain false.

[Anonymous]

“However, I know big 4 gives a $15K bump upon completion. It all depends on where you work.”

I'm Big 4 – not true.

You don't even get reimbursed for even a single $1 of the exam if you're been there more than 2 years when you finish. At least at the one I work at.

[Anonymous]

@lastsection4mee Honestly I'm not surprised you're only a little higher. Even though you have some experience, you said it was almost a year, which really isn't that much. The difference between our 1st and 2nd year Staff is only a few thousand. Hell, there's less than $5K between me (3rd year senior) and the 1st year seniors (thanks year with no raises….).

If you had 2 years of experience or so I would expect a bigger difference, but not with almost a year. Sorry, I'm sure you were hoping for different answers, but I think the differential is pretty standard.

[mla1169]

If your prior experience is less than one year, you are likely still considered “entry level”. I think people seriously underestimate the importance of researching salaries before accepting an offer, but generally most offers are negotiable and once accepted, it is exceptionally hard to get much more than annual merit increases.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Author]

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