Big4 Tax Consultant Salary Forum

[Anonymous User]

3L at T50 law school with offers at several of the Big4 accounting firms in mid-size and large markets.

What would be a decent salary range for a JD? What do entry level CPAs usually come in at? Lastly, how flexible are offices about moving after 1-2 years of work?

Most likely will take one of the offers, as mass mailing has not been working out. I strongly suggest this route for people with tax and business backgrounds. Very easy to sell your law school skills. I would be very happy to explain some strategies for targeting the Big4.

I really would appreciate any advice anyone has on this topic.

[lovelaw27]

I would be very happy to explain some strategies for targeting the Big4.

Could you share how you landed these offers? What is the procedure for applying to these firms?

[usfvictor]

if you have an offer from them wouldn't they list that they are going to pay you?

With that said entryl level accounts at the Big 4 start around 50k, at least in FL. Then get a 10k bonus when they get their CPA. My friends that work Big4 firms have mixed reviews, some love the work, some hate it, but have no problems with the companies themselves. They are flexible about moving, in fact they may even offer to move you, if you are good at what you do. Have a friend thats been sent all over the country while working at PwC.

[rad lulz]

Was an accounting UG degree or similar experience necessary?

[Anonymous User]

Five years ago it was about $60k at (I think) Deloitte in Atlanta.

[Anonymous User]

I interviewed with a midwest Deloitte office who told me they usually offer b-school grads 60K and JDs about 75K to start.

[boom_cs]

I know salaries in the NC/SC area for the Big4 were about 58k with a 5k bonus for passing the CPA within one year of starting

[Anonymous User]

OP Here: I have no accounting background or experience beyond a few courses necessary for my undergrad finance major. I think taking tax classes at law school and getting good grades was important. Your basically selling yourself as someone smart, willing to learn, understands business, and importantly understands that you won't be doing legal work per se and are not going to be a "lawyer"

None of the firms really publish recruiting emails and have online apps. I feel that submitting an online app without contacting a recruiter is a waste. I contacted recruiters that I found on Linkedin and told them that I had submitted apps. I had success googling stuff like "KPMG recruiter ohio" or "KPMG recruitment northwestern university". Usually I would find some pdf about undergrad recruiting at a particular university that had an email address of a campus recruiter.

I think that right now, accounting firm recruiting is at its peak. Seemed like they were bringing in all their candidates about now. Thus, I would really suggest going at it hard this week or the next if you really want to take this route.

My offers are between 57-65k, I was hoping for about 75k. Benefits seem excellent and better than big law firms. Especially some of the cool little perks that only real big companies can offer. In my opinion, I think the prestige is greater than many legal jobs. I know that I specifically want to do tax work.

Should I try to negotiate? I already feel that I am getting a premium over someone coming straight from an undergrad or masters. However, the initial offer was a little below my expectations.

Again, I'm still curious about switching offices/travel/extended assignments very early in my career. Not super concerned about exit options but might like another city relatively soon. Any other anecdotes would be great and I am happy to answer more questions.

But basically, the time to starting HUSTLING is right now for the Big4

[usfvictor]

take the 65k and run with it, seems pretty fair for starting out. after two years doing that line of work, you can probably leave and make 80k somewhere.

[augusta1985]

take the 65k and run with it, seems pretty fair for starting out. after two years doing that line of work, you can probably leave and make 80k somewhere.

I agree. Several of my classmates (T50 school) ended up in "Advisory Services" at E&Y, or equivalent positions at KPMG, PwC, or Deloitte. Salaries seem to be b/w $55-70k, depending on city. Not a ton of money, but it's probably better than working at a small or mid-size law firm in terms of sheer resume power, especially if you want to end up working in business later in your career. Also, you sound pretty certain you want to do tax, so starting out at a Big-4 seems logical.

[Anonymous User]

Thread hijack: I'm a 2L interested in doing tax. If I want a summer internship with one of these firms should I be applying now, or wait until next semester?

[thegrayman]

Worked big4 audit before law school, those salaries appear to be about right. People coming in with masters got more than those without. We didn't have any JD's in our practice area, but they definitely get more. If you put in a few years, you will have some solid opportunities come your way. I still get headhunters reaching out to me with accounting gigs, which is comforting if I ever needed a fallback. I would take the highest big4 offer you got, they are all pretty much the same.

[Anonymous User]

OP here: Thank you everyone for the advice and insight into the Big 4. Sounds like the consensus is that I have a great offer and probably not in my best interest to negotiate.

The last thing I'm really wondering is switching offices. I'm pretty happy with my current locations, but really have myself set one particular larger market (not NYC) for personal reasons. Is it possible to switch offices even before starting or very early in my career? Are there any particular service lines where switching might be easier? Is the best thing I can hope for an extended assignment? During my interviews, many people talked about opportunities in different offices, but these seemed more temporary.

To respond to the question about internships, I knew people that got them for 2L summer. In fact, I'm really recommending this to my friends at other law schools with business backgrounds and work experience. I think it could set you up for potential 3L recruiting. Get on your undergrad schools career services or your current law schools university biz school career services to get recruiter information.

I really can't stress enough that the time to start hustling is now though. I got the vibe when interviewing that they were doing the majority of their recruiting now. Many of the people I met had JDs and know the legal market sucks. Hiring law students works for them because they can get some top talent through law schools and train internally. Sell yourself on the writing and research skills that you learned in law school. Be able to talk intelligently about a balance sheet and income statement.

Lastly, shout out to TLS. I've been using the site for about 5-6 years and it has been great every step of the way. Although I didn't get Big Law like I originally wanted, I never felt entitled to it. The past two years of school have been great and have made some awesome friends. Pretty awesome feeling to have the offer in hand and look back on everything.

[rad lulz]

OP, when you contacted recruiters, what did you put in the body of the email? A short cover-letter style statement of why you were interested in the position?

[Anonymous User]

Yes, short 3-4 paragraph cover letter in the body of email. Attach the resume. Mention that you applied through their online recruiting platform with this same email address.

In the cover letter, stress some skills that might be relevant to their work. Remember that they are not looking for lawyers, but rather employees that have legal skills that can be applied to their clients issues.

[rad lulz]

Yes, short 3-4 paragraph cover letter in the body of email. Attach the resume. Mention that you applied through their online recruiting platform with this same email address.

In the cover letter, stress some skills that might be relevant to their work. Remember that they are not looking for lawyers, but rather employees that have legal skills that can be applied to their clients issues.

Ok I think I understand what you're saying. Would you be willing to PM an example or email an example from a throwaway email? You've sorta put the haste in me from your previous poasts and I'd like to get rollin on this ASAP.

[dip_spLitter]

In undergrad and a friend of mine was just offered a summer position for $4K/month in risk advisory at E&Y. He told me that upon graduation (a year from now) starting salary will be $55-60K assuming he receives an offer. Just wanted to weigh in, also in the southeast FWIW. Don't know if JD significantly raises starting salary if it does at all.

[deebs]

Yes, short 3-4 paragraph cover letter in the body of email. Attach the resume. Mention that you applied through their online recruiting platform with this same email address.

In the cover letter, stress some skills that might be relevant to their work. Remember that they are not looking for lawyers, but rather employees that have legal skills that can be applied to their clients issues.

Ok I think I understand what you're saying. Would you be willing to PM an example or email an example from a throwaway email? You've sorta put the haste in me from your previous poasts and I'd like to get rollin on this ASAP.

Sorry to steal, but I'd like as well. I've managed an interview with one of them, but I've had absolutely no luck outside OCI.

[gionnovi]

I'm currently a (couple years exp)state tax auditor, i.e. employed by our state's revenue agency, and have an accounting U.G. and CPA license. I've been going to Law School part-time and would be looking for employment around either Fall 2013 or Spring 2014. Any ideas on when the appropriate time to contact the Big 4 would be?

[NewLobo]

I'm currently a (couple years exp)state tax auditor, i.e. employed by our state's revenue agency, and have an accounting U.G. and CPA license. I've been going to Law School part-time and would be looking for employment around either Fall 2013 or Spring 2014. Any ideas on when the appropriate time to contact the Big 4 would be?

My advice would be as soon as possible. On the accounting side, they have already done OCI and did their hiring for the Fall of 2013.

[Anonymous User]

OP Here: I would almost say that it is too late for Fall 2013. I think you really have to push for off-schedule hiring now. I have seen that many of these places try to hire people to work seasonally during tax season. This might be a way to get in the door if you have some experience in the area.

Outside of the Big 4, remember to check out Grant Thornton, BDO, and McGladrey.

http://goingconcern.com/ is kind of like the abovethelaw for the accounting industry.

http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums is kind of like the TLS, but more investment banking/finance.

There might be some more useful information for people on those sites.

One last time as I get close to making my final decision, any one have experience about switching offices? Possibly even before I begin next summer/fall. Are there any departments within tax that require people to be more mobile/ travel more?

Thanks everyone their help. If anyone has any other questions about this, I taught myself a ton in the past 1-2 weeks and would be willing to share. Overall, I think this is a solid route to take with a law degree and minimal 3L hiring options.

[Anonymous User]

One thing I did in my spare time before law school was work as a contractor for busy season at a big4. For me, full-time afterwards wasn't an issue because I was going to law school, however there is the possibility of the big4 firm hiring you fulltime after busy season is over if they like your work. If you're already graduated, and you have the proper background, that is one way to attack it.

[charcop]

OP- do you mind PMing me with your email? I worked in accounting and finance for 5 years prior to law school and have considered going down this route as well and have a couple of questions- thanks!

[Anonymous User]

OP how fast did they get back to you after your office visit? I just had an office visit on Friday.

Apparently, state and local tax involves a lot of onsite work. International tax not so much. However, they usually ask and people who like to travel volunteer.

[Anonymous User]

To OP: What is the stability/longevity of these kinds of jobs if you have a JD? Are you still taking the bar? Will the firm allow you to? I'm trying to go down this path, but my parents are still hung up on the whole "if you aren't going to be a lawyer why did you go to law school" mentality.