How does compensation for a Big 4 Partner compare to a VP/MD at a public firm (e.g., finance, tech, or Fortune 500), considering long-term wealth creation, job security, WLB? Specifically, is the earning potential higher in Big 4 partnerships over decades, or do VP/MD roles at public firms offer better short-to-mid-term pay with lower ceilings?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Th value lies in job security. Once you get a “C” or “E” in your title, people are looking for your head and your seat. You don’t have that in Big 4. You do your job and you’re straight.

like

Not if you do it long enough. First couple of years are tough, but after that you should have it under control. If you don’t, you wouldn’t survive in the near of vipers that is Corporate Politics.

like

Average/median B4 equity partner comp is in the 1M-1.6M range but it takes 4-10 years to get there after admission. Once there, hard to beat the consistency of cash income from annual distributions/retirement benefits accumulation.

VP in a Fortune 500 is a much lower “base” and higher variable / RSU upside. Less reliable year to year in terms of total comp. Some years could be 7 figures some years mid six figures.

MDs in finance go through a similar ramp we do but average is about $2M+ for the bulge bracket banks (just hearing from peers/friends. Could be off here), yet are subject to more year to year variability.

WLB all depends on the individual situation. Finance probably has it the worst.

likehelpful

Big 4 Partners have lower upfront pay (~$500k starting) but build wealth through equity stakes and pensions over 20+ years, but with public firms you earn higher short-term cash compensation, without the profit-sharing upside of partnerships

Related Posts

like

Does anyone’s dog look at them with puppy eyes when you leave for work so you tell them you have to go make money to afford their lifestyle? 🤣

likefunny
like

Putin and pals

Post Photo
likefunny

Hi, I am new here. Would anyone mind 💟-ing this do that I can send DMs? Thanks!

like

Who was around in 2008/2009 at big 4? Specifically in advisory? How were those practices affected during the layoffs? Any insight to ease some of the worry/unknown would be greatly appreciated.

likehelpful

Looking for possible Google referral, interested in positions out of Reston VA and Washington DC ( security clearance, DoD work)

like

Hi , how the value momentum company would be??

like

Pick two from these 3 to start today, full PPR: Tyler Boyd, Taysom Hill, and the Sun God.

Happy Veterans Day to all who have served, to all who are serving and their families. There is no greater sacrifice in that of serving your country. God bless the men and women of the United States military #GodAndCountry.

like

I was recently offered a Zoom interview. The school had 10 interview slots for me to choose from. Three were one day this week and the rest are next week. I chose the first time slot available. Should I have waited until one of the last slots so I was fresher on their mind when choosing a candidate? I am just sitting here stressing out until I here something. Also, do interviewers still appreciate a hand written thank you for the interview?

Hello friends, I've 7.4 YOE as Senior Business Analyst. I've offers from both Capgemini and KPMG, both have similar offer. Which one is better to work with? please suggest..!!!
KPMG India Capgemini Tech Mahindra
Deloitte EY PwC

Howz Information Security engineer profile in Wells Fargo?

like

Any good/new halal spots in the bay?

Is “Product Manager” and “Product Owner” used interchangeably? I was offered a role as a PO and am wondering if I should just refer to it as PM because more people would recognize what that means

like

Refering to the history of compensation release dates

Post Photo
like

Cayman islands anyone?

like

Bhaiyon aur Behno!
Gurgaon me kisi Broker ka number hai to dedo

Dhanyawaad

Publicis Sapient or TIAA, both for Mumbai location.. both giving almost same package, which one to go for?
WLB>LEARNING>work culture

like

Additional Posts in Partner One

Big4 Advisory Partners/Principals - how much do you make in your 1st - 4th year as a partner/principal?
Trying to make a decision whether its worth continuing.

likehelpful

For those that are home grown (at least 2 levels) into the PPMD level, how has your relationship with juniors that you’ve been close to from the start evolved? Have you had to pull away from them (intentionally or not) or are you just as close? Is the saying “it’s lonely at the top” rung true for you?

like

Curious what % of partners/MDs have spouses who also work. And regardless of non/working spouse, what do you do to feel a work/family balance?

like

Exec consisting Slalom for more creative work and more diverse and inclusive culture. Any insight into partner and above admissions/roles/past experiences. Based east coast but not looking for local

Partners with kids and a working spouse, how do you manage? Is it realistic for both people in the relationship to work full time long term? How do you keep marriage going and career progressing?

likesmart

Partners, when do you think informal communication regarding new PPMDs will start trickling in?

like

T3 firm reached out re: direct admit to the partnership with some runway to grow the practice. I am at a firm now where there aren’t bright line metrics to make PPMD, but think I could make it in 2-5 years. This would be a step down in brand, but might be better from a WLB and getting to start at partner. Haven’t had firm comp talks yet but range was well north of 50% increase in cash comp from current (plus LT equity, draws, etc). Anyone take $ over brand? what are some traps to watch for?

like

I just took a leadership role in industry after 5 years in advisory (industry hire). Partners, any tips for the transition? What have you seen your clients do well/poorly during big career moves?

like

For the Partners and really anyone in a leadership position: how do you motivate your people to take initiative? i.e. inferring next steps and taking action without waiting to be explicitly told to

like

How do you identify potentials in people?

I do things (late nights/weekends) that I don't think my managers/partner knows about since everything is running well - directly correlated with elected hours spent. Is it weird to bring this up?

like

At some Big 4 companies there is a Partner / Principal group that has equity and are part owners of the business and an equivalent Managing Director group that does not have equity and are essentially employees.

How does it work at McKinsey / Bain ? Do those same distinctions exist across partner types, owner vs non owner?

like

Dear Partners-
Have any of you switched firms to make P? Worth it? Tips? Have always planned to make at my firm, but my firm isn’t keeping up their end of the deal, so I’m job hunting....

like

Partners- At what point in your career did you feel like you had financially “made it”?

likesmart

What is base pay range for L5 at Accenture?

like

@Partners - how much money do you need to invest I to the firm to get your partner share?

likefunny

Hiya! I was wondering if anyone here has any good recommendations in terms of books or learning material that I can pick up to learn about sales and marketing relevant to the consulting industry?

like

As a M / SM, how did you go about growing contacts outside of project work? For contacts that did not know via previous project work, how did you transition into how you (or firm) can help them?

helpful

I’m one of the top performers in the company and got invited to the company’s emerging leadership program. I always meet all my goals and deliverables on time but still feel like half of the time I’m not even doing anything (or performing my best). How do I leverage this ‘off-time’ into something productive in order to progress faster?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal