Add up the insane hours and will you not think 1.3 months is a joke to you?

Depends on industry n company you join. My bonus has been range from 3.5 to 6 months since I graduated in 2012. Of course I am not in audit.

I assume u are an A1 that got a rating 3

Big 4s are guaranteeing their graduates with salary progression. What graduates should really take into account when accepting the big 4 route is.. the base salary is already below average; of course they could have the ability to guarantee the salary progression for at least for the first 6 years up till manager level. Thereafter, it is pretty much a gentler progression from manager. And coupled with the low bonus they are paying their professional services employees, when looking at the overall package of big 4's, I would say it is not fairly paid.

That said, if you are the cut for partner, whatever you get up till your journey towards partnership would be worthwhile, provided that you are sure that it is the route that you would like to take up and you would not run out of stamina and quit halfway through. That said, to be a partner is more than hard work. Networking and relationship building with potential clients and the ability to generate new business units are important, and more so, the relationship with existing partners, as they are the ones who will approve your entry to partnership!

My point is, you are low-balled if you stay in big 4 if you are not made a partner because there are many better remunerating jobs apart from big 4. Look at the overall package and not just the salary progression that they proud themselves for (Bonus range from 1 -2.5 months). Be fair to yourself! You have the entire batch coming forth, but you will gradually see the lunch group of peers getting smaller and smaller, and farewells are commonplace every few months. The long hours are just not justifiable.

Just my thoughts after interacting with my batch-mates of 8 years in one of the big 4s. Since then, many of us had moved on from big 4, with only 2 out of 17 of us still working there. Big 4's should really reflect to better remunerate and retain their employees. It is really not the same culture in other countries like Hong Kong, London or New York where Big 4's employees are much fairly remunerated. I myself had signed on with the police force after 1.5 years in big 4 and is having a purposeful and meaningful career since then.

Hope my story could enlighten many young minds to reconsider your career choice carefully!

Who t f cares about that when the partners themselves keep talking about how amazing revenue has grown yoy, been an amazing year, blah blah and then gives 1.3 months when other SLs in the firm are getting more

For fresh grads, the big 4 route is mostly not a fair one financially so make the most out of this stepping stone to get a much more fairly remunerated job thereafter

Thats the typical gen y sinkie mentality. No awareness of external market only know how to bitch abt why theoretically the should be entitled more.

PWC? I got 2.8 months bonus in the latest round, maybe you are just suay in the wrong place at the wrong time.

ok so should be true that different SLs are getting different figures this time round..

All those local grads who managed to secure a place in any of the big4 should count your blessings in this prevailing market condition with the economy struggling to achieve 3% growth rate. Before you start to complain much about your bonuses, take a pause and look at our stock market you will realize that we are struggling to clear and hold the 3300 level when our high achieved was 3800 in year 2007. Compare to others first world economy and you will see that many of our major listed companies are struggling to achieve growth in revenue and profits.


Apart from our 3 local banks and few electronic manufacturers, the rest are either mixed(major property firms), experiencing downturn and many are trying to stay afloat(firms trading at below $0.20). The younger grads should take the opportunities given to acquire experience and new knowledge and when situation changes which will happen, you are really to move to a much higher and fulfilling role in a major mnc given your experience and professional accreditation from a recognized accounting body.

Currently the big4 are recruiting mainly from NTU/NUS/SMU with a handful top grads from SIT/SUSS , higher ranked overseas grads and experienced full ACCA holders. The better private grads have to vie strongly for a place in a mid-tier firm and should treasure the opportunities given to them to learn and move on in the future.