Related Posts
Has anyone taken the sphr exam?
Does barclays provide any diwali bonus ?
More Posts
What are your thoughts on "unlimited PTO?"
Additional Posts in Transaction Services, M&A, Deal Advisory
I LOVE ACCOUNTING
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
Mentor
Take it and don't look back.
FDD is really tough hours and culture at any firm. As long as you’re prepared for that either bring the offer to your EY partner to get into EY FDD at same pay (if you want) or just take the pay bump.
I'd like to add that the firm will try to make you stay by allowing a transfer. However they will ask you to transfer after 1 more busy season. If that is EY offer, just switch to KPMG. No reason to delay the advancement of your career by staying for even one more day in audit.
Which region are you in? If you got a good rating this year, it’s pretty easy to get a transfer with the right connections. Not sure how much it matters since you’re so new which firm you’re in. Comp will likely be basically the same at both.
Typically if you put your resignation letter, TD partner might reach out to speak with you. HR will not transfer you over without a competing offer - esp. from KPMG (EY is above and beyond better in FDD space)
Go to Duff / HL / Alvarez
OP you are not the first and you won't be the last to experience this dilemma. If you have the offer in hand, take it to EY and ask if they can transfer you immediately or you will walk.
If they say a) no, b) wait until you are a senior or c) one more busy season, immediately take the KPMG offer. Unfortunately since you are an A1, they will likely tell you to walk. As an EY FDD employee, I prefer EY FDD. However, if I was in your position and were asked to do even ONE audit busy season, I would quit without any hesitation.
One audit busy season does not help your career or development. It is a waste. You are also an A1 so you owe nothing to no one.
What’s an A1?
“I’m going from A7to A8” that’s not a promotion or progression anyone would want
What’s the comp increase to move? As a staff 1 there’s not a lot of reason to jump outside money, I don’t know what an FDD is but I assume it’s staff level.
FDD stands for financial due diligence. That is what that group exclusively works on ie Quality of earnings, debt and debt like, as it related to impact on purchase price adjustments. Their levels go from associate to partners/principals.
I was in KPMG FDD as a manager for 2.5 years and left a week ago. It was the worst culture ever. However, I gained a tremendous amount of skills that I don’t regret. Just my two cents.
EY 5 - I exited to global strategy and corporate finance at a Fortune 150 firm. Got tired of consistent 9am - 11pm work days for the last year with poor KPMG leadership.
EY has a far better culture and way better known for M&A than KPMG. Suggest you bring the offer to your CCGL and share before leaving.
Coach
The pissing contest between B4 firms is overrated. B4 FDD is largely viewed the same regardless of firm. FDD experience is viewed way for favorably than audit. I would go for it and not worry if EY can’t transfer you
The trade off that you should be considering is that there are a lot more easy cushy accounting exits or audit managers than there are for fdd managers. A lot of folks might prefer the fdd exits but there are fewest options available and generally less cushy than those possible from audit. I’ve definitely
Got some audit buddies whose industry exits have some real perks
What firm are you at? Are you kidding… FDD provides at a minimum the same exits as audit outside of boring SOX roles and then much for … FP&A, finance director, Ibanking, Corporate Dev., other M&A consulting, MBA - all recent exits from some close colleagues
Mentor
I’ve heard Kpmg was kinda rough (had someone come to my firm from their).
Mentor
That being said, if you definitely want to go fdd then I’d bring this up to EY and see if you can get them to move on it. If not, then I’d take the kpmg offer. Even if it’s rough, you can always switch to another fdd practice.