KPMG (or any of the other Big4)
Discussion
I have been approached to move to KPMG (into an Associate Director role) ... I currently work for a smaller more niche consultancy (and have done for 7years but have hit a ceiling in progression and salary) and have avoided the Big4 to date but this feels like it could be a good stepping stone and they are offering a 40% basic salary increase too) ...
However, I have heard of lots of cut-throat people with a will to throw anyone under the bus to further themselves etc...? Is this true?
What are peoples thoughts on the Big4??
For reference (if it matters?) its in the IGH division.
However, I have heard of lots of cut-throat people with a will to throw anyone under the bus to further themselves etc...? Is this true?
What are peoples thoughts on the Big4??
For reference (if it matters?) its in the IGH division.
I worked for EY for 18 months. Very interesting work, but throw you under the bus doesn't even begin to describe the back stabbing the ladder climbers will resort to.
I didnt get on with my boss, and he wanted rid of me, but my client liked me, so did my team, and the partner I was working for gave me a great write up. So my boss went and found a couple of people desperate for promotion and got them to write negative reviews of me, even though I'd not worked with them.
With that sort of behaviour you're never going to win, so I raised an objection with HR, not because it was worth staying, but because at least that way I got a decent compromise agreement to leave.
The money is great, and you can succeed if your skin is thick enough, or if you're a complete self centred a
hole, but they'll work you to death with the promise of jam tomorrow.
Only you can say if it's worth it to you.
For me, I got a load of money both in salary and compromise agreement, and at the end of the day my boss did me a favour as it got me back into contracting where the real money was earnt for my last 4 years before retiring at 56
I didnt get on with my boss, and he wanted rid of me, but my client liked me, so did my team, and the partner I was working for gave me a great write up. So my boss went and found a couple of people desperate for promotion and got them to write negative reviews of me, even though I'd not worked with them.
With that sort of behaviour you're never going to win, so I raised an objection with HR, not because it was worth staying, but because at least that way I got a decent compromise agreement to leave.
The money is great, and you can succeed if your skin is thick enough, or if you're a complete self centred a
hole, but they'll work you to death with the promise of jam tomorrow. Only you can say if it's worth it to you.
For me, I got a load of money both in salary and compromise agreement, and at the end of the day my boss did me a favour as it got me back into contracting where the real money was earnt for my last 4 years before retiring at 56
I got offered a job, after seeing the hours, expectations, appalling behaviour (you’d be sacked where I work), mainly as one of the said companies worked for me in an old role, I decided from a quality of life perspective it wasn’t worth it.
I’m quite senior for my age (was at the time) and so the basic salary differential wasn’t worth it, a friend is an actuary for EY and his brother is an AD at 35, they both hate it but they’ve been in the Big4 since Uni so are used to the money ...
ETA; I wouldn’t listen to Klan, he thinks sleeping on office floors and working 18 hours a day is normal.
I quibbled about a new role with a 250% basic increase ... did it for three years and left, money is just a hamster wheel, you don’t need it.
I’m quite senior for my age (was at the time) and so the basic salary differential wasn’t worth it, a friend is an actuary for EY and his brother is an AD at 35, they both hate it but they’ve been in the Big4 since Uni so are used to the money ...
ETA; I wouldn’t listen to Klan, he thinks sleeping on office floors and working 18 hours a day is normal.
I quibbled about a new role with a 250% basic increase ... did it for three years and left, money is just a hamster wheel, you don’t need it.
Edited by Lord.Vader on Saturday 28th November 10:33
alorotom said:
I have been approached to move to KPMG (into an Associate Director role) ... I currently work for a smaller more niche consultancy (and have done for 7years but have hit a ceiling in progression and salary) and have avoided the Big4 to date but this feels like it could be a good stepping stone and they are offering a 40% basic salary increase too) ...
However, I have heard of lots of cut-throat people with a will to throw anyone under the bus to further themselves etc...? Is this true?
What are peoples thoughts on the Big4??
For reference (if it matters?) its in the IGH division.
Our tax adviser left a smaller firm to join KPMG about a year ago. I spoke to him last week and he has already moved on to another, smaller, firm.However, I have heard of lots of cut-throat people with a will to throw anyone under the bus to further themselves etc...? Is this true?
What are peoples thoughts on the Big4??
For reference (if it matters?) its in the IGH division.
His explanation was that the bulls
t didn't sit well with him and he had a conscience regarding how clients were being treated. He didn't feel that he was giving good value.If your personality matches (i.e. you think you’d be a ‘strategic fit’), then go for it. Assuming any associated costs (travel etc) wouldn’t eat in to that salary increase, then that and a Big 4 on your CV may add further value down the line. If you found it didn’t work, moving from a Big 4 to elsewhere is usually not too difficult.
Alorotom
Having one of the big 4 on your CV will pay massive future dividends.
Could be a great opportunity to join a global outfit, KPMG has enormous breadth it could lead to some great assignments.
I agree with most of the comments on general internal skullduggery...it happens everywhere.
My BIL works for KPMG he has stayed for 17 years, I’d say he gets treated moderately well, ups and downs.
I also have a business partner’s who’s son joined 3 years ago...he absolutely loves it..they were rotating him through Sydney and Hong Kong before all this crisis happened.
We have hired KPMG for a couple of projects...And have had all big 4 in to pitch... I was expecting more, got billed way more than quoted and spent 6 months post project negotiating the fees back down...which was a waste of time..
Go for it...takes you up a notch, bit more money etc
Having one of the big 4 on your CV will pay massive future dividends.
Could be a great opportunity to join a global outfit, KPMG has enormous breadth it could lead to some great assignments.
I agree with most of the comments on general internal skullduggery...it happens everywhere.
My BIL works for KPMG he has stayed for 17 years, I’d say he gets treated moderately well, ups and downs.
I also have a business partner’s who’s son joined 3 years ago...he absolutely loves it..they were rotating him through Sydney and Hong Kong before all this crisis happened.
We have hired KPMG for a couple of projects...And have had all big 4 in to pitch... I was expecting more, got billed way more than quoted and spent 6 months post project negotiating the fees back down...which was a waste of time..
Go for it...takes you up a notch, bit more money etc
) but were a fantastic employer. When she had some health issues they were superb. And the money was great! AndrewCrown said:
Alorotom
Having one of the big 4 on your CV will pay massive future dividends.
Could be a great opportunity to join a global outfit, KPMG has enormous breadth it could lead to some great assignments.
I agree with most of the comments on general internal skullduggery...it happens everywhere.
My BIL works for KPMG he has stayed for 17 years, I’d say he gets treated moderately well, ups and downs.
I also have a business partner’s who’s son joined 3 years ago...he absolutely loves it..they were rotating him through Sydney and Hong Kong before all this crisis happened.
We have hired KPMG for a couple of projects...And have had all big 4 in to pitch... I was expecting more, got billed way more than quoted and spent 6 months post project negotiating the fees back down...which was a waste of time..
Go for it...takes you up a notch, bit more money etc
I would agree with that.Having one of the big 4 on your CV will pay massive future dividends.
Could be a great opportunity to join a global outfit, KPMG has enormous breadth it could lead to some great assignments.
I agree with most of the comments on general internal skullduggery...it happens everywhere.
My BIL works for KPMG he has stayed for 17 years, I’d say he gets treated moderately well, ups and downs.
I also have a business partner’s who’s son joined 3 years ago...he absolutely loves it..they were rotating him through Sydney and Hong Kong before all this crisis happened.
We have hired KPMG for a couple of projects...And have had all big 4 in to pitch... I was expecting more, got billed way more than quoted and spent 6 months post project negotiating the fees back down...which was a waste of time..
Go for it...takes you up a notch, bit more money etc
I work with KPMG, PwC, and EY on a weekly basis (for different clients/different projects). Based on what I've seen/heard
1. They will work you hard. If you want to make partner be prepared for 60 hours a week constantly
2. The culture's changing, but slowly. I get the impression they want to retain the best and it's more about quality rather than billable hours.
3. You are working with the best. Even if you don't like working there, having a Big 4 on your CV will pay dividends later in terms of career options.
In short, definitely definitely do it.
AndrewCrown said:
Alorotom
We have hired KPMG for a couple of projects...And have had all big 4 in to pitch... I was expecting more, got billed way more than quoted and spent 6 months post project negotiating the fees back down...which was a waste of time..
ALL professional firms seem to be like that IME, especially lawyers. That update conversation where they're making small talk? It's only when you get the invoice that you realise you were being charged in 12 minute segments to tell them about the weather in Manchester and what you were doing at the weekend!We have hired KPMG for a couple of projects...And have had all big 4 in to pitch... I was expecting more, got billed way more than quoted and spent 6 months post project negotiating the fees back down...which was a waste of time..
We asked Mazars to do some due diligence on a prospective Contractor and were quoted £20k. I spoke to the Engagement partner yesterday and apparently the invoice is now £25k but "not to worry, he's written off £5k of other "chargeable time"! The mildly annoying thing is that they quote for Director/Partner time when you suspect it's the Grad trainee doing the work!
Countdown...that reminded me of a billing incident....
We had written an information memorandum...I supplied that to the Big 4 partner to inform him about the work we wanted them to do.
Their partner then tried (ultimately unsuccessfully) to bill the client for reviewing the document that was briefing him...and that bill was more than we were paid to write the document... yes I noted the 12 minute increments too...
We had written an information memorandum...I supplied that to the Big 4 partner to inform him about the work we wanted them to do.
Their partner then tried (ultimately unsuccessfully) to bill the client for reviewing the document that was briefing him...and that bill was more than we were paid to write the document... yes I noted the 12 minute increments too...
klan8456 said:
Lord.Vader said:
Go away with your utter rubbish Klan, you’re a parody.
How on earth is what I posted “utter rubbish”? Big 4 consultancy total comp doesn’t come close to MBB. Edited by alorotom on Saturday 28th November 20:16
Edited by alorotom on Saturday 28th November 20:17
Thanks for all the comments. I’ve been in professional services nearly 10yrs now overall (for reference)
The basic salary increase will push me into the top 1% earners, the whole package is into the top 0.8%, however, that being said I’m not particularly financially motivated and it’s the value I add to clients that drives me / this is my biggest qualm.
I’m a very strong strategic fit for a market they’re broadening into within Health so it has potential.
The idea of using it as an 18mth springboard is appealing though and the role / company on the CV would certainly open some doors I’m pushing against internationally.
I’ll speak with them again this week and investigate it further but I’m certainly going in with my eyes open, moreso thanks to commenters so far - Thankyou all (again)
The basic salary increase will push me into the top 1% earners, the whole package is into the top 0.8%, however, that being said I’m not particularly financially motivated and it’s the value I add to clients that drives me / this is my biggest qualm.
I’m a very strong strategic fit for a market they’re broadening into within Health so it has potential.
The idea of using it as an 18mth springboard is appealing though and the role / company on the CV would certainly open some doors I’m pushing against internationally.
I’ll speak with them again this week and investigate it further but I’m certainly going in with my eyes open, moreso thanks to commenters so far - Thankyou all (again)
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