Q: Big4 - Yearly salary increment

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Pros

Only near MRT. That’s it

Cons

Higher management are generally high-handed, only looking out for their own interests. They are unwilling to change themselves despite upward feedback being implemented, giving the impression that the dept is just paying lip-service to staff. Culture is toxic enough with difficult personalities and long, irregular hours. A lot of time gets wasted pleasing some higher-ups because they are not flexible in the way things should be done. Shouting becomes normalised in this firm when staff should be treated with the basic level of respect.

Not paid enough in general at all levels and bonuses are very low. When you consider this together with the long, irregular hours, your time is more worth it spent in another firm. I really regret working for this firm/higher-ups who are ungrateful / unappreciative of my efforts.

Advice to Management

Nothing will change them.

Toxicity is ingrained in the culture that nothing will change. To the higher-ups: If you can’t deal with the pressure of working here and choose to vent your frustrations at the lower-level staff, then you should leave as well because you are not cut-out to work in this firm.

Higher management should seriously have a hard look at themselves for how they treat lower-level staff. As much as you can evaluate your staff, your staff is also evaluating the firm and its culture.

Overall, it’s just so screwed up here because the higher-ups have no clue of how their behaviours and decisions can affect the mental well-being and livelihoods of staff.

which firm is this ?

EY Manager Alicia Ng is rude and entitled

Hi everyone

I been hearing this quite a lot, that associates and seniors feel audit managers not capable. I am not here to argue or defend anyone, but I really want to understand where that thinking comes from.

Is it about technical knowledge? How managers handle people? Poor communication? Or maybe the way the whole system works.

Appreciate if you all can share your thoughts. At least we know where we stand and maybe how to improve.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi everyone

I been hearing this quite a lot, that associates and seniors feel audit managers not capable. I am not here to argue or defend anyone, but I really want to understand where that thinking comes from.

Is it about technical knowledge? How managers handle people? Poor communication? Or maybe the way the whole system works.

Appreciate if you all can share your thoughts. At least we know where we stand and maybe how to improve.

I think firms need to start thinking about who they promote. Nowadays anyhow promote when these people dont deserve to be managers. Managers cannot cope then throw everything to the staff. Thats why I quit … rather learn from someone who has 10 over years in commercial and nicer to me.

Whats the salary range now? Any insights? Green promotion is in September while the other big4 already announce… haha.. reality check

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Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi everyone

I been hearing this quite a lot, that associates and seniors feel audit managers not capable. I am not here to argue or defend anyone, but I really want to understand where that thinking comes from.

Is it about technical knowledge? How managers handle people? Poor communication? Or maybe the way the whole system works.

Appreciate if you all can share your thoughts. At least we know where we stand and maybe how to improve.

Just ask yourself do clients respect you and poach you privately after meeting? If you are capable, you won't be in big 4 for so many years.

Most non-local Managers just clock the time to become one, their presentation and reporting writing skills are atrocious.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Whats the salary range now? Any insights? Green promotion is in September while the other big4 already announce… haha.. reality check

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lol I still remember when I was super interested in the A1 to M1 pay.

But now that I’ve progressed beyond that band, I am more vested in the M2 to SM1 range…

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Just ask yourself do clients respect you and poach you privately after meeting? If you are capable, you won't be in big 4 for so many years.

Most non-local Managers just clock the time to become one, their presentation and reporting writing skills are atrocious.

Thank you for your honest feedback. I appreciate the perspective. At the end of the day, everyone has their own path. Some earn respect through results and client recognition. Others prefer to rely on titles or time served. Either way, I respect the process.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi everyone

I been hearing this quite a lot, that associates and seniors feel audit managers not capable. I am not here to argue or defend anyone, but I really want to understand where that thinking comes from.

Is it about technical knowledge? How managers handle people? Poor communication? Or maybe the way the whole system works.

Appreciate if you all can share your thoughts. At least we know where we stand and maybe how to improve.

To be very honest, it is very hard to earn respect from audit associates these days. Most of them come in fresh from university, think they know everything just because they passed a few accounting papers, and straight away believe they are on the same level as the manager. Titles mean nothing to them. They look at you and judge whether you are actually capable or just another person pushing papers and chasing deadlines.

In audit, respect is brutally earned. If you cannot explain FRS properly, if you fumble during partner reviews, if you avoid technical questions, they will see through you immediately. Once they know you are only good at chasing people and ticking boxes, your so-called authority is finished. They will talk behind your back, they will doubt your ability, and they will not hesitate to show it.

The age gap makes it worse. Some managers are only two or three years older than the associates, and if you cannot carry yourself properly or prove your worth, they will not listen to you. You can flash your title all you want, but if you are not steady, not technically sound, and cannot handle pressure, you lose their respect. It is as simple as that. Respect is not automatic. You either prove yourself or get ignored.

How much does a fresh grad auditor in big 4 earn?