Hi all,
Do firms match offers from other Big 4s for campus hires? I’ve received a campus offer from both KPMG and EY. I’m more interested in the EY offer, but they are paying 3k less than KPMG.
Would it be a bad move to let them know about the other offer and try negotiating? I feel it wont make a difference in the long run, but at the same time I don’t want to leave any money on the table if possible.
Thanks!
KPMG EY PwC Deloitte
Generally speaking no. They all pay roughly the same.
Also — actual advice — go with the firm where you liked the seniors and associates you met with the most.
That’s going to define your experience.
Pro
Op yes they’ll most likely match it. All B4 want their offers to be the same as other B4. They don’t want candidates choosing a different B4 for a few thousand more. My sibling received a KPMG winter internship and an EY summer internship- EY offered a few thousand more. I think like 2-4 weeks later KPMG gave my sibling a new offer, matching EY’s offer dollar for dollar. Sibling didn’t ask for a match- I assume KPMG found out EY was offering more for their internships
They will change the number on their own accord if it is not market competitive, yes.
The most often response when campus hires ask the B4 to match another B4 is “no”, though.
$3k lmao
Go for it!
I was a campus hire with an offer from KPMG (58) and EY (55). I wanted EY to match but they wouldn’t. I still went with EY because I preferred the culture and decided it was worth giving up $3k annually.
I would say something
I know someone who got offers from two of the Big 4 firms and one of the offers was $4,000 higher than the other Big 4. She told me her heart is with the least-paid Big 4 firm but she loves money so she wanted to go with the one with $4k extra. I cautioned her and advised her to choose the one her soul loves the most.
I had this happen exactly, but it was more than 15 years ago. Had my offer in hand after my internship but heard back that E&Y and PWC had bumped their new hires 6k more than my offer at KPMG.
I respectfully brought it to my partner’s attention, and that I didn’t want my class to start below market.
He was a little heated at the other firms, but was fine with me bringing it his attention. HR checked how ever they do and then my offer and my other peers got a adjustment.
This was before the housing market blew up, I don’t think I would have done the same if I was starting in 2010, but you need to have a feel for how things will go.
It was worth the risk to me. If he couldn’t handle that discussion it would make me reconsider how he would be to work for long term, and if I didn’t say anything I would have failed to maximize how my compensation progressed early in my career.
No clue on the specifics of each firm, but I’d approach it saying something like “I’m interviewing with several firms, one of the competitors offered me more, but I’d really prefer to work at your firm. Is there any way we could increase the salary on the offer? I’d be happy to accept with $______ (whatever offer)”
Always! Always ask for more at every job offer you ever get. If you don't ask for more you will always get less than they intended to pay you.
That’s fair, but more likely than not that will be the answer.
Public currently doesn’t have enough turnover at the early career level (great resignation is done), so less need for A1s than a year ago. Less motivation to match.
Not arguing, just trying to explain the context of why there are so many people saying not to negotiate — it’s just not something that’s done within B4 culture unless you’re switching firms and have experience.