We should look beyond starting salaries. If you say there are only 3 large auditing firms based here, I don't think you know the profession. There are 4.

The annual increments for accountancy grads in a Big 4 are between $500-$1000. And these increments/promotion are almost guaranteed for at least the first 5 years. After 6 years, they should be earning almost $7k. No need to job hop.

There have not been retrenchments, even for the poor performers. The worst are 'asked to leave'. I've seen a few of these who did not leave and can still get increments of $100-$200 per year.

That's not a bad deal you know?