Should I try to negotiate a salary at Big4? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi,

The backstory of my academic career:
Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) -- 2014-2017
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Accounting) -- 2014-2017
Masters in Science of Taxation -- 2016-2018
J.D. -- 2018-2021
MBA -- 2018-2021
LLM (Taxation) -- 2018-2021

Professional career:

If I desire to do M&A Tax at a Big4, would I be able to utilize my academic background to provide me with leverage to negotiate a higher than normal salary? If so, what $$ range? If not, thank you for your honesty. Either way, thank you for your time!

[Anon2468]

They won't negotiate with entry level hires. If you perform well in the future, you can negotiate higher raises.

[Anonymous User]

I think big4 market rate for JD/LLM Tax is about $90k-$125k base ($5-$15k) bonus. (Depending on firm, office, practice group). You start off as a second year.

Not much room for negotiation but if its below this range you should definitely speak with your school career counselor and try to negotiate.

Source: currently in an LLM Tax program with a big4 offer.

[Anonymous User]

I have an LLM and a Tax Court Clerkship. I tried to negotiate with my Big4 (NYC M&A/ITS) asking for a salary increase to that of a second year associate because of my Tax Court Clerkship experience (post LLM and prior to joining the Big4). I was told no without hesitation from the recruiters. Your academic credentials aren't going to be enough. In fact, I know someone at a NYC Big4 who passed all 3 (or 4?) parts of the CFA and asked for a raise and was likewise told no. Big4 salary is lockstep at the associate/senior associate/manager levels.

[dabigchina]

Just to clarify, it's not entirely lockstep in the biglaw sense where you get $x salary in your y year. It's more there are set salary bands for each year of experience in the industry you have. You get a premium on your starting salary as a first year for having a law degree and LLM, but that's it. Theoretically, salaries for CPAs and lawyers/llms converge as you move up, but I've heard mixed things about whether this is true.

Also, as far as I know, you don't get a premium for having both a MACC/MST and a law degree.