Big 4 Salary for Unexperienced CPA

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #199587
    Tripin93
    Participant

    I’ll be finished with the exam soon and I really want to get a job as a public auditor. I have zero audit experience, so I expect to start at the bottom as an associate. I realize that the Big 4s give associates bonuses when they pass the exam. If they hired me as a CPA with zero experience, would my salary be the same as associates without their license? Will I receive the same signing bonus that non-cpas receive?

    Motivated by JC. I do it to make God proud.

    FAR: 91 July 2015
    AUD: 83 October 2015
    REG: 81 January 2016
    BEC: 83 February 2016

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #755126
    acamp
    Participant

    All entry level Big4 auditors start at the same salary.

    If you already have your CPA, make sure your offer is the same as a “normal” entry level auditor offer, which should outline the bonus for passing the exam.

    I worked with someone who got the CPA while doing tax at some other firm. Came to Big4 as an entry level auditor and was able to submit for the $5K bonus right when they started.

    Self proclaimed: Highest ratio of Replies to Others v. Posts Created on A71

    California CPA - Big4 Aud Manager Alum - Private Accounting at Startups

    FAR, REG and BEC with Ninja Notes + WTB Only

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

    Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

    California CPA

    #755127
    Sir Ivalis
    Participant

    Your salary will almost certainly be the same in the Big 4. First year associate salaries are often flat across the board with no negotiation. However, you should get a bonus around 5k for coming in with the CPA.

    REG - 81
    FAR - April 13th (73), TBD
    AUD - July 6th
    BEC - TBD

    #755128
    Tripin93
    Participant

    Thanks guys!

    Motivated by JC. I do it to make God proud.

    FAR: 91 July 2015
    AUD: 83 October 2015
    REG: 81 January 2016
    BEC: 83 February 2016

    #755129
    Rosco920
    Participant

    You salary will depend on location. When I started at EY, I started with $55k w/o bonus. It has since gone up. I would roughly $60k. You will get a bonus for passing the CPAa d you might get a signing bonus. Oh yeah, I live in Chicago so the salary is higher than say…Indiana due to cost of living. When I was there, everyone had around the same salary coming in as an associate unless you had experience or were a lawyer.

    BEC 80
    AUD 75
    FAR 78
    REG 87

    #755130
    Tripin93
    Participant

    Thanks Rosco!! I'm in Kansas.

    Motivated by JC. I do it to make God proud.

    FAR: 91 July 2015
    AUD: 83 October 2015
    REG: 81 January 2016
    BEC: 83 February 2016

    #755131
    taxsage
    Member

    Same starting salary as everyone else plus bonus and possibly reimbursement of exam fees and review course.

    #755132
    Mehow
    Participant

    Every associate is unexperienced if they didn't have an internship at the firm. You will be paid the same as any other associate in that area. I can't tell you salary numbers because they aren't the same everywhere. My friend in PwC Milwuakee makes like a few thousand less than my friends in Chicago. My brother is also in Milwuakee doing Big Four and I'm in Chicago. They will train you. My training is in the Fall and the partner that interviewed me pretty much told me that it's okay if I don't know how to audit, they will teach me.

    FAR = 86 4/22/16
    BEC = 80 6/01/16
    REG = 07/26/16
    AUD = ?

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.