this must be a retarded post. for an accountancy graduate, there is no way you can draw higher salary outside big4 doing the SAME kind of work - accounting / audit related. Don't bring irrelevant JD like investment banking / some sales and BD role since it's of no relation.

3yrs experienced senior associates in Big4 are drawing 5-6k, with 3yrs experience, they tried applying for commercial roles asking for a further 10% increment, which is approximately mid 6ks.

This is on top of the fact that they put 14-16hrs workday in big4 but only expected to put in 8hrs workday in commercial, with occasional OT due to month-end closing or other deadlines.

Essentially, if you do the math, they are going for a 2x in terms of salary (per hour) because of higher salary (10% increment) and shorter working hours (40% reduction)

And no commercial company in their right sense of mind will pay 6k++ for someone with 3years experience, do not know how to use ERP system, and cannot work like a workhorse. Want to coast a 40hr workweek "work-life balance"