Q: Big4 - Yearly salary increment

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Thank you all for the replies.

Unfortunately I only have two choices which is either locally private uni (Kaplan/PSB only) or study overseas. Even SIM-UOL is not in my list.

The cheapest for mid-tier Aus Uni, QUT, would even cost me A$80-90K tentatively for 2 years tuition fees + expenses. So I am not sure if I should just stay put in SG or study overseas so I have a "better chance" to get into Big4 after I grad. Studying overseas really cost a huge sum of amount so I am not sure if it is even worth the ROI.

Is there a huge difference for fresh grads salary between Big 4 and Mid-tier firms?

unless your family can afford it comfortably, you are looking at 4x tuition fees as degrees here usually cost in the region of S$20-30k only...

mid-tier usually pay 90% of big4... so expect a 10% paycut, if fresh grad in big4 earns $2850, you can expect 2500-2600 in mid-tier... same as the ranks go upwards...

I know that working hours for Manager and below are terrible. Do your hours improve when you turn SM1?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Thank you all for the replies.

Unfortunately I only have two choices which is either locally private uni (Kaplan/PSB only) or study overseas. Even SIM-UOL is not in my list.

The cheapest for mid-tier Aus Uni, QUT, would even cost me A$80-90K tentatively for 2 years tuition fees + expenses. So I am not sure if I should just stay put in SG or study overseas so I have a "better chance" to get into Big4 after I grad. Studying overseas really cost a huge sum of amount so I am not sure if it is even worth the ROI.

Is there a huge difference for fresh grads salary between Big 4 and Mid-tier firms?

I only achieved a 2nd Upper at SIM UOL but managed to get into Big 4 even with no prior audit exp and only an insurance internship during uni. Just do well for your psychometric test and interview.

I really think it is not worth it to go into mid tier firms here. Culture is bad, pay is bad, no recognition. Almost all of them have bonds for a reason.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I only achieved a 2nd Upper at SIM UOL but managed to get into Big 4 even with no prior audit exp and only an insurance internship during uni. Just do well for your psychometric test and interview.

I really think it is not worth it to go into mid tier firms here. Culture is bad, pay is bad, no recognition. Almost all of them have bonds for a reason.

How much are you drawing?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

How much are you drawing?

Came in as an A1 drawing 3k. Standard rate.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I believe it would only be slightly higher at advisory and consulting. Big 4 more or less pays standard across the board.

Audit and consulting roles are not comparable. I am in big4 tech consulting as a manager. They offered me 13k when i joined.

Most external hires (M and above) are experienced folks. Almost all my peers are easily >12 years experiences and their previous jobs would put them well in that pay bracket.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I only achieved a 2nd Upper at SIM UOL but managed to get into Big 4 even with no prior audit exp and only an insurance internship during uni. Just do well for your psychometric test and interview.

I really think it is not worth it to go into mid tier firms here. Culture is bad, pay is bad, no recognition. Almost all of them have bonds for a reason.

Local uni grads don't need psychometric tests for admission.

Would like some opinions regarding GST career in big 4.

Some questions that I would like to ask:
-Any1 in the GST department in big 4?
-Is a career in GST gd in long run?
-It is a niche career, any possibility for secondment?
-What is the career progression like and will it be easy to join the commercial sector?

Feel free to add more regarding this career.

hope to have some opinions.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I only achieved a 2nd Upper at SIM UOL but managed to get into Big 4 even with no prior audit exp and only an insurance internship during uni. Just do well for your psychometric test and interview.

I really think it is not worth it to go into mid tier firms here. Culture is bad, pay is bad, no recognition. Almost all of them have bonds for a reason.

worth or not, somebody has to fill the places there... there isn't enough places to go around in big4 anyway as much as all / most aspire to apply into it.

idk what you meant by doing well for psychometric test... it's a test to evaluate based on your personality... no point doing "well" if you are faking it... just "be yourself"... if you are suitable, you'll get it..

in any event, big4 is not everything... in fact, looking back in hindsight, i'm thankful i didn't join the big4...

my peer and i are doing way better than our batchmates who join the big4... we are 28, both males, prolly at best S2 or AM in big4.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Audit and consulting roles are not comparable. I am in big4 tech consulting as a manager. They offered me 13k when i joined.

Most external hires (M and above) are experienced folks. Almost all my peers are easily >12 years experiences and their previous jobs would put them well in that pay bracket.

agreed that audit and consulting roles are not comparable.

likewise, big4's consulting arm cannot be compared against full fledged consulting firm like BCG, Bain, McKinsey, Accenture...

are you an expat? i've known people in consulting side, getting 10-11k bracket 8 years into service... Manager level

whereas a big4 audit manager (entry M1) is getting S$6k++ M3 (8k++?) before promoting to SM, AD, D, Partner, etc.