Big 4 Accounting Firms Salary Breakdown

Which of the “Big 4” accounting firms is right for you? Or, better stated, which of the Big Four firms will pay you the highest salary?

This article is a breakdown of the Big 4 firms, the average starting salary range for each of them, and some additional factors that help determine the size of your starting accounting salary.

Infographic of Big 4 Salaries

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Deloitte Salary Breakdown

Also known as Deloitte LLP and Deloitte and Touche LLP, this is the number-one firm in the world. The secret to its success is that over time, multiple smaller firms were absorbed by Deloitte, either through a merger or a complete buyout. As a result, Deloitte is a very powerful and successful firm, able to offer a very generous tax accountant salary for prospective employees.

The average Deloitte starting salary for an employee is in the range of $45,000 to $60,000 annually. In order to get a starting salary on the higher end of that spectrum, it helps to take part in a university program run by Deloitte and to pick a location in a major metropolitan area such as New York City as their central location. An employee with less experience or from a less urban location can expect a salary on the lower end of the spectrum, but with yearly promotions and advanced certifications, this is sure to change over time.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Salary Information

PwC is the fifth-largest privately owned company in the United States and the second-largest accounting company in the world. With more than 180,000 employees and an average annual profit of 31 billion dollars, they are a solid choice for enterprising accountants looking for a job. A PricewaterhouseCoopers starting salary would be in the range of $48,000 to $68,000 for a position as an accounting associate.

The factors that influence the size of a PwC salary are location (similar to Deloitte, this company is based in New York) and prior experience. Some other ways to ensure a higher starting CPA salary are if you work as an intern with them or if you take advantage of their training programs and seminars. PricewaterhouseCoopers features a robust training program for aspiring employees, but unlike Deloitte, they offer their programs free of charge and open to anyone.

Ernst & Young (E&Y) Salary Information

Ernst & Young (E&Y), the number three accounting company in the world, was founded in 1989 after a merger of Arthur Young & Company and Ernst & Ernst. Although they have struggled in the past, recent acquisitions in Denmark have resulted in a terrific past few years, with annual profits of around $26 billion. They have locations all around the world, but their main office is located in London. The average certified public accountant salary for this company is in the range of $40,000 to $63,000 for an entry-level position.

In addition to being a very popular place to work and a successful company, Ernst & Young is well known for its employee diversity, so if you are looking for a diverse work environment, you would benefit from applying here. Some ways to ensure a higher starting salary are to be located in one of their major locations (London or New York) or to attend one of their numerous college recruiting events. Unfortunately, these events are not public or free like PwC, but they are still definitely worth looking into for enterprising accountants.

KPMG Salary Information

Having originated in Amsterdam, KPMG is a large accounting organization with locations in the US, China, and India, to name only a few. They have over 150,000 employees on their payroll and report an average annual profit of $23 billion. A tax accountant’s salary at KPMG averages in the range of $46,000 to $62,000. However, after around 5 years of working there, the average salary shoots up to around $106,000, so it pays to stick around.

Some other methods of ensuring a higher starting salary are taking advantage of their free online training resources and attending one of their college classes. Similar to Ernst & Young, KPMG is frequently listed as a terrific diversity hire with a very culturally diverse working environment. This is due to their international offices, meaning that potential employees can benefit from higher starting salaries if they are located in China, India, or Europe, not just New York City.

Summary

Something to keep in mind with accountant’s salaries is that they don’t stay at one level for very long. Hard-working, dedicated employees at any of these four firms can expect to move up the ranks very quickly, with noticeable pay increases along the way. Even if one firm has a lower starting salary than some of the others, or if your starting salary is lower than you may have hoped, know that the amount you make annually is likely to change for the better fairly quickly.

One thing all these companies have in common when looking for employees is an accounting or finance degree from a reputable school, a few years of experience or an internship, and their prospective employees being located in a metropolitan area such as New York City. Keep these things in mind, and you should find yourself with a cushy accounting job right out of school, especially when you’ve got that CPA license in sight.

Does getting your CPA mean that you’ll earn more than your non-certified counterparts? The answer is definitely yes, but exactly how much more is tough to say. Before we delve into the numbers, the “typical” career path for people who pass the CPA exam varies quite a bit. Regardless, if you become a CPA, over the course of your career, you could be earning well north of $1 million more than if you never started that CPA review course.

But, since you’re likely a numbers person, why don’t you begin to examine some of the data available to us?

CPA Salaries vs. Accountant Salaries

If you’re an accountant, the projected career earnings are still pretty high. Over the course of your career, you will be well into the six-figure salary range, especially if you take on a senior management position. In fact, even if you hover only around the Senior Auditor position and don’t take on any management role, you should be earning north of $5 million for a 40-year career (this number can be adjusted upward if you account for inflation).

If you’re a CPA, the same intangibles are going to play into your overall salary, but you can definitely expect an upward trajectory toward the top positions within the company. You should be in an upper-level role 10 years into your career, meaning you’ll be earning $10,000–$20,000 more per year, at a minimum. In fact, that number could be $50,000–$60,000 per year higher if you’re at the senior manager level. If you take that CPA and turn it into a corner office or a C-suite position, there’s really no telling how much more you’ll be making.

The point is, at a minimum, you’re likely going to be making $1,000,000 more than not-certified accountants if you get your CPA. Becker analyzed the 2017 Robert Half Salary Guide and found that CPAs will earn over $1 million more than non-CPA-designated accountants. Wiley Efficient Learning did a similar analysis and found that accountants will earn $1,000,000 less than their CPA counterparts.

You’re in the Money

It really comes down to asking yourself why you wouldn’t get a CPA. Sure, there’s some expense involved with getting one—it ends up being $3,000–$7,000 when all is said and done—but your long-term earnings are drastically higher than if you were never to pursue the certification.

Even the initial bump in salary is significant. When you look at Indeed’s breakdown of accounting salaries, CPAs outperform any of the other accounting jobs. There’s such a higher ceiling for CPAs, but even the initial bump in salary should be enough to motivate you to get out there and start studying for the CPA exam right now!

Is it worth it to become a CPA? I certainly think so! Whether you want to make $1 million more over the course of your career or you just want increased responsibility and potentially an executive position, passing the CPA exam is a life-changing event. While it’s not easy, ordinary accountants have turned themselves into CPA all-stars by simply putting in the effort to do so.

Commitment to Accuracy

At CPA Exam Guy, we are dedicated to providing our readers with the most current and accurate information in the dynamic field of accounting and finance. We understand that the landscape of CPA salaries and career opportunities is constantly evolving, influenced by economic trends, regulatory changes, and industry shifts. To ensure that our CPA Salary Guide remains a reliable and up-to-date resource, we commit to regular reviews and updates of our content. Our team diligently monitors the latest developments in the accounting sector, collaborates with industry experts, and analyzes new data as it becomes available. This ongoing effort guarantees that our readers always have access to the most relevant and recent information, helping them make informed decisions about their careers and salary negotiations. Trust in our commitment to excellence and accuracy as we strive to be your premier source for CPA career insights.