Hey if you don’t even know how it works it means you are simply too far away from it to even care. It just take one really shitty job to kills you off in one random year so don’t think too much about it.

To answer your question, there are many SMs who are working for more than 15 years and they are still in the same position. Nothing is confirmed once you reach managerial level.

there a term call SM purgatory.

there is also an associate partner position in yellow

If you’re more than 10 years away, I would encourage you not to worry about it.

By the time it’s your turn, the systems and rules may be very different from today and the answers you get here.

Who tell you its a big deal? Kopitiam uncles?

Then yes, it's a big deal to boomers. In their days there is no tech, no management associate programs, even banking career is limited. Big 4 was the best thing in 1980s and early 1990s.

What if the whole team throws letter at the same time during peak? Where to find so many people to replace outgoing staff? Our team was understaffed last year and we didn't manage to pull staff from other team or hire new people. Not even intern

If u so worried stay with your team lah

Just because you can staff does not mean you should staff, how u think margins are made?

If the manager has insufficient headcount to staff the project, he will just reduce the number of engagements he's taking. The team won't collapse because ppl resign, otherwise Big 4 would've collapsed long time ago, given the high turnover in professional services firms.

There are too many auditors from lower tier firms trying to enter Big4 annually therefore in the unlikely even an entire team quit for whatever reason, the senior manager of the team knows how to activate their emergency plan. No worries.

Lol you this kind of mentality really not cut out to go far in life. Or earn more in life.

Just stay in your team and tank the work then.