What are the annual billable hours expectations for an associate in a Big4 international tax, M&A tax, or SALT group?

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

M&A at KPMG has never been above a 1600 minimum for any level. These days it’s more like 1500 if I understand correctly (I left a few years back).

Actual can vary widely by quality of the staff and how busy the office is

like

Don’t they pay like 100k? I was offered 98 from EY which is pennies compared to anywhere else- but maybe I just got a low offer

like

I meant how many hours you are expected to bill each year. (E.g. 1600 hours per year? 1900? 2000?)

OP asked about hours, not comp…

EY hours expectation is the same across all groups but I don’t remember what that expectation was. I’m 90% sure it was less than 2,000 when I was there.

like

Annual Target (M&A Tax) is 1950 (pre pandemic). Most leave for big law because the hours can be similar for less pay. Back then, Associate base salary: $125k; Senior Associate: $145k; Manager 1-3: $180k -$200k; Senior Manager1-3: $210k-$235k. Average partner salary: $1.2M (first year partner may be 400-600k range).

Note: numbers will be slightly higher if you do WNT.

like

This was circa 2019/2020 at EY (NYC) and give or take a few thousand here or there but generally in this ball park. Annual bonus $7k-$10k and promotional bonus (eg from senior to manager or manager to SM can be around $20k in addition to the annual bonus your promotional year going into the next rank/pay band)

Depends heavily on office and practice group. M&A in prinaries has to be in the 135 range or so now.

A lot of secondaries are in the 120k+ range to start.

At Deloitte, hours vary by group/office, but generally expect to be 35-45 client hours per week year round, some being higher and some being lower depending on deal flow, timelines, etc.

Salary for M&A is around 100 to start and mid 100s for managers and over 200 for senior managers. That obviously varies based on experience in level and office. International is slightly lower in terms of pay.

SM1. I am telling you what it is now. I have inside knowledge on the comp. Yes, there are people outside of those averages, as people get close to the high end of a range as they’re about to be promoted or live in NYC compared to Dallas. But those are the numbers on average.

Related Posts

How many billable hours in a month does it take for you to think you are billing a lot?

like

I’m a 9th year in a mostly litigation-based practice group at a one-tier partnership firm. My group’s billable hours have been low the last few years, so making partner will be nearly impossible, and a counsel position is not viable long-term in my group. What’s the best option here if partnership is the ultimate goal? Try to get a NEP/counsel position at another firm, which is likely difficult in my market, or offer to take a class cut by a few years?

likehelpful

Alston & Bird LLP Does anyone have any insight into associate pay, bonuses, min billable hours, and general work/life balance at Alston & Bird LLP? (DC Office)

like

What are firm’s known billable requirements? Is there a ramp up period?

So I was a 5th year associate in nyc making 100 k a year 2k billable hours.. I decided to leave for the role Im in now.. my old countered to keep me at 115k (which was like pulling teeth for them) but I left anyways now I find out that they offered a 7th year 150 k and a partner title should I be offended that they didn’t even try more with me

like

Are any other paralegals struggling with billable hour requirements? I have 5 years of experience in corporate transactions, M&A, and real estate work, and have never had billable hour requirements. I'm in a new job now where I do and I'm nowhere near meeting them. I'm getting a lot more admin work than billable work, and it's stressing me out.

like

3.5 years out of school, 2400 billable hours last year in TRS and just got promoted. what kind of year end compensation should I be expecting? Bonus and new salary

like

What is a material billable hours difference from your peers at the same group? If I bill 150 less a year than another associate should I be worried?

like

I currently work at a medium sized firm and have about two years experience in personal injury litigation. The billable hours and lack of work life balance are really getting to me and I am looking to switch to something else out of litigation, preferably in house. I am also looking to relocate to a different state. How do I go about properly marketing myself to companies that might not take my relocation and minimal experience seriously?

like

Did the billable hours bonus not get paid out today? Or is it to be paid in the next check?

If you take vacation, is the onus on you to make up that billable time? If so, how do you enjoy long vacations?

likefunny

Does anyone run a business in addition to their firm? I’m a solo and I’m doing pretty well with about 60-70 billable hours a month. Though that leaves a lot of downtime. Curious if anyone has any second businesses that require about 20 hours a week. Not looking for passive income or franchise ideas though.

like

It’s been a hot minute. Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Hoisin Sauce (Keto). My pre-covid work clothes are now loose on me. I’ll have to buy a new work wardrobe wherever that may be. I quit my job and am back in school. Goodbye tax, goodbye busy seasons, goodbye billable hours.. 😁

Post Photo
like

Is there an appropriate way to turn down an assignment because it is non-billable? Two of the partners I work for keep asking me to write client bulletins and articles with them, which is great, but now I’m starting to worry about meeting my billable hours requirement.

like

Have any of you taken "low bono" clients while working at a firm? I want to take on a low bono client or two but not sure who would get the money. This is a contract opportunity through a non profit so I'm assuming a 1099 will be issued. The per hour rate is significantly less than my billable rate. I would (obviously) like the money but my real objective is just getting experience/networking since I recently moved to a new state and don't have clients of my own.

like

Any insight into Jackson Lewis NYC office? Compensation, billable hours, WLB? I would be a 2-3 year

like

How do firms give bonuses to associate attorneys? Quarterly, monthly, annually? What is a bonus based on? Money recieved, billable hours, etc?

I'm looking to set up a bonus structure for a new associate.

like

How is productivity measured for in-house attorneys? Is there any analog of billable hours for in-house lawyers?

like

It’s hard to trust the partners/leadership when they want us to return to office as being better when we increase offshoring? Also, the pressure on billable hours when all that really matters is how much our fixed labor costs vs. how much we can bill (which is usually fixed fee or at least a range) and the fixed labor costs of offshoring is significantly cheaper so the hours don’t matter. Am I mistaken by this viewpoint?

like

To the post below- it is quiet, so I’ll bite!
Does anyone know about associate compensation at the regional Atlantic Canada firms? The the big ones have all been posting job ads for associates in the 3-5 year range. Any insight on salary and billable targets?

More Posts

My flight is three hours delayed. I have collected so many pokeballs.

like

BNY Mellon | Pershing BNY Mellon Corporation BNY Mellon

Post Photo

Doing an India trip next year. Thoughts on spending 2/3 days in Jaipur? Too much? Any tips? TIA

like

How does M&A consulting generally fare in this environment? Pros: lots of struggling/undervalued companies, great lending environment. Cons: cash mgt., prioritizing your own people/biz in tough times

like

ACCA and CPA qualifications. How useful are they in the line of consulting. I work in the M&A space focusing on FDD. Happy to have a chat to see what qualifications if any are actually useful in our line of work.

like

Considering a move from a B4 to the West Monroe deals practice. Any insights from people working there or who worked there?

likefunny

Genuinely curious: How do you justify working in PR knowing that you won’t make $100k+ for 15-20 years? I’m 3 years into my career and I have regrets about choosing this field when I look at my financial timeline.

like

Hi! Looking for avg Pelvic Health PT salary in SC , just starting out in this speciality. TIA

like

Hi fishes,
I will be promoted to A from this Oct . Pay scale will change from Oct . So will I get yearly hike or they ignore it ?

like

Did anyone do an updated insurance policy for their luxury purses or other expensive item collection?

like

Thoughts on Pathmatics?

Can it actually provide media spend? Are all brands in there or do you have to request to get brands in, etc?

like

Can Somebody refer me for SAP SD position in GSK? I have applied twice in portal and it is sitting at recruiters review

I'm not sure if I have the willpower to become "successful" in this industry.

like
like

Any recommended resources for a mid-level lit associate looking to develop some skills in health care transactional work? I'm primarily a med-mal attorney and several clients have small opportunities on the MA side that I'd like to be able to assist with. The firm does not currently have a specific transactional healthcare practice group so I'd need to go out of the firm for mentorship in this area. For now, I'm just looking for good basic foundational resources.

Appreciate it!

Hi everyone,
I relocated with my family to Ireland recently, one month ago, and while I got a lot of screening calls with recruiters, I did not hear back from any of them after our interview. I am still on the process of getting my work permit and I am very clear about this during the interviews, but I suspect that this is the reason why I am not getting any call back. Any tips on the first screening call with recruiters? Should I touch base with them after our interviews?

like

Hours check anyone? I’m at 1400 to date with pro bono. 2000 target. On track but September is looking slowwwww

like

Our RIA will be presenting to a group of FAs on COI strategy in a few months. Curious if anyone has had success obtaining referrals from centers of influence?

like

Hello fellow designers!

I was laid off back in August and I have been trying to get a product/UX/UI job ever since then. With the recession and all of the crazy things that are happening right now it has been even harder.

Is anyone hiring a mid-level Product/UX/UI designer?
I have 3 years of experience as a UX/UI Designer and I am available to start working immediately! (Remote work is preferred since I live in Phoenix, AZ and there are not a lot of tech jobs here)

TIA ♥️

like

Hi All,

There is multiple opening in Deloitte.
Please DM for referral.

Thanks

Post Photo
like

Additional Posts in Tax Law

In your opinion, which biglaw firms have the best tax groups?

like

Any T&E associates in here who I could talk to? I’m a transactional tax associate at a v5 firm doing M&A and capital markets work and hating it. I’m a 4th year with an LLM and a clerkship and I think I regret not pursuing T&E or private wealth.

like

I'm currently completing a tax LLM (as a foreign trained lawyer) but considering pursuing a JD. I'd like to do it part-time while working. Which firm/service line gives me the best chance to do both? Also, is part-time Big4 work even a thing?

like

I'm considering switching my practice from tax to exec comp so that I can work remotely indefinitely. If I dislike it, do you think it would be difficult to switch back? I'm a 4th year that works in biglaw.

like

Other than general tax and estate planning, what are some practice areas can a Tax LL.M. be beneficial in? I’ve heard it can help you in M&A, but I’m curious if anyone has additional thoughts

like

New associate starting in the tax group at a biglaw firm in NYC. Would really appreciate any advice on how to be most useful/get through the learning curve!

like

Any insight on whether IRS Chief Counsel is open to (or considering being open to) remote attorneys? I’ve seen SEC and other agencies willing to hire fully remote lawyers.

likehelpful

For anyone who practices tax lit in the US Tax Court, what’s your experience with the independent office of appeals? They don’t seem quite that “independent” to me and so far, I’ve only had one appeals officer who seemed knowledgeable and nice. It’s been a real headache. Interested to hear other people’s experience.

like

Any other junior tax lawyers here feeling discouraged by how steep the learning curve is? 🥲 I started remotely too and training has not been the best…

like

Hi all- how’s the job market for tax lawyers nowadays? I’m working in accounting firm (international tax) and looking to jump into a law firm. I have 2YOE and JD.

like

Hi all! I’m applying to NYU tax llm and I’m pretty confident I can get in,but it’s unlikely I’ll receive a scholarship. I’m working at a non big4 consulting firm for about 1.5yrs now, doing mainly international with some M&A exposure. I want to do llm because I still want to shoot for biglaw. I have a small kid so it’ll be hard to do the program part time. Should I quit my current job and enroll full time? Meaning lose 1yr salary and taking on a job security risk. TIA!

Has anyone dealt with stuffing allocation in a non-hedge fund context? It seems even in the HF world the law is fuzzy in using aggregate reverse 704c principles in stuffing allocations. Like, sure, the market is there but no authority really blessed it (other than some Cravath partner’s article in Tax Notes in 2013). If we are talking asset class that isn’t really like marketable securities but might be able to treat it similarly solely by virtue of, say, valuation on a quarterly basis (contd)

like

Best DC law firms for tax controversy and litigation?

I’m currently in my fourth year with fed government and thinking of going private, but I have no interest in planning/transactional work

like

Anyone have any thoughts on a fair salary for a part time virtual tax prep-focused position? I’ve been made an offer for south of 800 hours/year (fluctuating for seasonal ebb and flow, of course), and I’m curious whether it’s a decent offer or not. I have 13 years of experience in a big box franchise where I’ve handled complex returns from day 1. 30% of my workload has been 1120/1120S/1065 and the rest higher-level 1040s and a few 1041s & 990s. I’ll be bringing 75-100 clients with me.

like

I’d rather not put a title behind my name, but if I were looking to attract the attention of recruiters on LinkedIn (legal and public accounting) would using “JD” or “Esq.” behind my name help my name pop up in a search?

like

Hi Tax Friends. Seeking some advice. I will give more context in the comments, but big picture I am a non-tax litigator interested in switching to tax. The question is: (1) pursue LLM; (2) take tax job now; (3) just treat tax as a hobby?

like

Anyone here practice SALT? How does it differ from what “regular” tax associates do?

like

Just finished entering 70% of my time for October. Anybody else?

funny

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