[lindjlny]

If someone with experience can help me out I would greatly appreciate it. Not sure what to ask for?

Currently:

I have 1.5 years experience as a staff accountant at a small firm 20 people.

Mostly preparing tax returns.

I have my MBA and CPA

Interviewed for:

Number #11 firm

Pretty much the same position I currently have (there will obviously be more work though)

On the interview, they asked me what I was looking for in terms of compensation and I said 60k (I really wasn’t expecting that on the interview, so they kinda caught me off guard – In the past I’ve never been asked that, they usually just gave me a number). Anyway, they called yesterday and offered me what I asked – which makes sense, but I don’t know if I low balled it? If you think I did what should I do? Ask for more saying I had an other offer somewhere else?

[lindjlny]

And I live on LI, NY

[memmy29]

This might help: https://www.rhi.com/SalaryGuides

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So glad to be done!

"If you're going through hell, keep going." - Sir Winston Churchill

AUD-84, REG-75, BEC-84, FAR-77

Licensed CPA

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[mla1169]

No, you should definitely not say you've got an offer from somewhere else unless you are 100% prepared to walk away from the offer. Employers see right through that game, and it will give them second thoughts about your integrity. I'm sorry you felt caught off guard (although it is an exceptionally common question to be asked) but you told them what you were looking for and got it-you're too well educated and experienced to play the “I didn't know any better” card.

That said–think where else you can negotiate perks to compensate-if they offer 2 weeks vacation ask for 3. If they offer a bonus AFTER you've been there a year, tell them you want it the first year. If they offer to pay 50% health insurance ask that they pay 75% (all of which I did with my current employer).

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[marquini]

CPA? and MBA? Should have asked for at LEAST 65k in New York.

[mypetmeatball]

You really don't have any leverage at the staff level in public accounting. You're pretty much going to have to accept the package they offer you or don't.

Even if that wasn't true, you asked for 60k and they obliged. Negotiation is now over, I think it'll be viewed as a dirty move to ask for more to squeeze as much as you can. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't make you greedy, everyone should try to make as much as possible. I'm just saying that you already played your hand and to continue pushing for more will look bad.

[STAT]

It can't hurt to ask. It's not like they are going to withdraw their offer because you ask for more. And you would most likely be dealing with someone in HR at a bigger firm, so there shouldn't be too much pressure there. I'm on LI too, currently working at a small firm, and I think 65k is about as high as a staff level salary goes. After that, seniors I think get 65k to 85k. I would think you'll also be getting a tax (busy) season bonus too, no?

[jelly]

I'd look very carefully at the benefits, especially medical/health with ACA on its way, who pays for short-term disability, CPE, licensing.

Couldn't pass again!

[MrsBing]

I wouldn't ask. You already told them what you wanted and they gave it to you. Also, it's not HR that's making the decision on salary, they're just relaying the information. It'll be the finance department (could be your department?) that they would follow up with to see how much more they're willing to offer if any.

I think it'll look bad.

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[lindjlny]

No bonuses – I found out that seniors and above are the ones that receive them. That's why it's bothering me even more. Wish I could go back in time – stupid mistake.

[mla1169]

Be aware that another strategy companies use is to ask what your current salary is. Typically they'll offer 3-5% more than your current salary is if you give them that number. A better response is to say your current salary is competitive with others at your job grade and credentials or youll get burned. I'm pretty underpaid and actually had a recruiter tell me I'd NEVER get more than 5% above my current (he was a very young inexperienced recruiter). I'm in the 3rd phase of interviewing for a position that is a 43% salary increase. When I get the offer (almost positive it's mine now) I am going to call that kid back and tell him he's not very good at what he does because this would have been an attractive commission for him 😉

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[lindjlny]

I really feel like telling them I need a 5k increase and I was offered more by another firm but it's a niche which I'm not entirely interested in. By the way I did not go through a recruiter and there are no bonuses. If they say no, I feel like I can find a position somewhere else.

[mla1169]

Go Ahead and say you have another offer but be prepared for them to say “oh, ok good talking to you”. Chances are they've got somebody else who has similar qualifications that will accept that salary and they're prepared to move on. If you really have a better offer I suggest you accept that.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

Go to goingconcern dot com and type in 15 year and there are two great articles that show salary and title to partner…which takes 12-15 years. After looking at the salary range you may feel better about $60K after 1.5 years experience. The only thing I can add is that RHI guide for finance and accounting I recall had about $5K more for NY salaries.

2 articles – titles at the website…great research site…read all the articles….!:

1. Let's Take a Second Look at a 15-year Trajectory of Big 4 Compensation

2. What Can You Expect to Make at a Big 4 Firm Over a 15 Year Period?

[Anonymous]

My thought is if it's in a niche that you really like, it's not worth the 5k (which isn't anywhere near that post-taxes……..) to possibly risk losing the job offer. Stick it out for a year, then talk about a raise – that'd be my way of doing it! You'd be asking for about an 8% raise to get the $65k, and that's a lot, but I think it's more likely to happen after they see that you fit what they want, rather than right now when you're just one in a stack of resumes.

That being said, I have realized that taking a job too far below what you want isn't good. I took a job for about 2/3 of the low end of what I wanted, and have realized it's going to take awhile to get to a reasonable wage! But, if you're within 8%, I'd be tempted to go with it and not risk the job…unless I really and truly did have another offer that I was quite happy with.

[rockrlz87]

lets put it his way. what you asked for is about what you would get starting with your CPA bonus @ a big 4 in the tri-state NYC area. to be honest, what i've learned is to say “that is something we can discuss, once an offer has been extended to me”. This can sometimes turn out negatively but can be to your benefit. If they really want you over somebody else they will pay you a little more. However most firms that are that high up will have a pay structure anyway and give you a set amount.

Negiotating a higher amount is really somebody looking for a senior, or manager position has more pull in, if you can leverage your exp.

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[Author]

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