The profit margin at Big4 accounting firms is substantial, often around 40%. This is largely due to the considerable amount of time associates and managers put in, often working until 10 PM or even 12 AM. Meanwhile, the partners at the top reap significant profits.

Despite the high audit fees charged by Big4 firms, associates and managers receive comparatively low compensation. Ideally, the budgeted costs and time should be sufficient given the high audit fees, but partners deliberately set these budgets lower. As a result, associates and managers end up working overtime, using their personal time to meet these unrealistic targets.