40 y/o, been in the biz for nearly 20 years, and have watched all my peers make partner. Am I kidding myself that I’ll ever make partner and is it even worth it at this age?

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I made partner at Accenture at 36 and realized I wasn’t a true leader. More just executing operationally on their equation. I left a few years after making partner and it was the best decision of my life. I am 50 now, still in the consulting industry, doing work I love and learning every day. I suggest figuring out what parts of the job you love and just pursue those with or without your current firm. the money will come. Your life and happiness won’t. With your experience any company would be lucky to have you including PwC so your options are limitless. Make bold moves and good luck.

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Great point. Liked it..

I joined the firm at 38 as a Director. 12 years later, I've watched my peers either leave or make Partner. I never had a chance although I was led to believe that I did. If I could go back to my 49 year old self, I would tell me to exit to industry.

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Yeah that’s what I’m wondering. Good secure job here but I could probably work a lot less and make a little more probably if I don’t wait too much longer. What I don’t want is to find myself working as hard as partners that are 5 years younger than I and making a third. That sucks.

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I just made partner at 42. Based on my projected income, partner retirement benefits, and my circumstances, I expect to be able to retire at 55. So stay the course!!

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p2 - do tell, what is projected income?

OP...you asked two questions that only you can answer. Are you kidding yourself?....my guess is that some of it is circumstance, but some it is within your control, and requires honest assessment and deliberate change. Is it worth it?....at 40y/o, and at least 15+yrs of partnership...ya, I’d say it’s worth it in spades. I think the first question is more compelling and deserves your full attention. Good luck!

I became MD last year and it feels like a second class citizen. Don’t get me wrong, I get paid pretty well but it stings a bit knowing that peers of mine with similar goals will be making 3x what I do

I’ve only been with PwC in the past so that’s the perspective I have, look at your leadership structure and try and find the MD in the bio pages of your firm, that will indicate how much of a “peer” they are

I think it’s worth it if you enjoy the work. The money is nice, but it’s not crazy money and it’s definitely not enough if you hate your job. I enjoy it and like my work, but I will be ready to retire at 60.

If you’ve been in the industry for 20 years, you should have received feedback by now regarding your performance. What is leadership telling you about your prospects? Why haven’t you made partner yet? Are those factors you can control or choose to control?

Yeah I think what’s tough is I’ve not stuck in any one market at any one thing. I’m very agile but not anyone’s “go to”, including clients. I’m also in tech, which constantly feels like you’re trying to keep up with the industry and just ahead of the client. I wish I stayed in audit where things seem to move at a manageable pace haha. I like what I do, but I do think the one thing I’m struggling to reconcile is hours vs reward. When I started in this business my partner used to clock out at 6:30pm and that seemed great to look forward to, making $500k a year or more and only working a bit of OT. Now it seems like the only people making it are doing 12-15 hour days and weekends, until they’ve been a partner for 10 years or so and “only” have to work the phones in the “off hours”. And don’t get me wrong, I still do the hard work and long hours, but another 10-15 years of this does seem nuts.

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It is always better to have a plan B. If things do not work out as expected pursue other options. There are other comparable or better options out there. I found my niche with real estate investing and have no regrets.

What are partner salaries looking like these days? Where does one start when they make partner?

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