Back Office

I'm looking to start in Big 4 tax after after getting my MAcc next year, because audit sounds painfully boring and generally awful. I'm worried about the lack of breadth in exit opps from tax though. I came across this old article, and it was interesting.

http://goingconcern.com/2011/7/first-world-proble…

I questioned some of the things said there, so I thought I'd ask you guys. Mainly

1) Is the comp really that good? Obviously it's not as much as you make trading, but it seems great for an accountant. Is it common/unheard of for CFOs to get a bonus that's a comparable % of base to that of a FO guy?

2) Is it really plausible for someone who starts in tax to make it to CFO? If not, is it possible to go from B4 tax to regular fund accounting as opposed to specialized tax work?

3) What do you think is the ideal experience level to move from public to a fund?

4) Would the pay and work be comparable in similar firms such as PE or large traditional asset managers?

Thanks.

4 Comments
 
obscenity

1) Is the comp really that good? Obviously it's not as much as you make trading, but it seems great for an accountant. Is it common/unheard of for CFOs to get a bonus that's a comparable % of base to that of a FO guy?

Where is comp stated in the article? Or are you pulling off user comments?

Sometimes lies are more dependable than the truth.
 

Comments. There's not that many, but if you don't want to comb through them, the gist is one guy says he made twice as much as he did at EY during his first year at a fund. He also says 30-50% bonus is normal for first year, and it can increase from there. No specifics are thrown out.

 
Best Response

Odio dicta autem quas optio unde. Nobis alias voluptates impedit cumque deleniti nam at excepturi. Enim velit mollitia ut qui aut quia consectetur id. Ut modi ipsum atque voluptatum quia et.

Sapiente aperiam hic autem illum esse. Commodi aut consequatur non aliquid accusantium eveniet quas rerum. Accusantium laudantium impedit ut dolor facilis rem tempora.

Sed architecto similique omnis recusandae occaecati sint. Dolorum voluptatem eaque quia quae.

Aut veniam quo autem. Nobis fugit accusantium ut et. Vel iure voluptatem quibusdam. Dolores veniam eaque et.

There have been many great comebacks throughout history. Jesus was dead but then came back as an all-powerful God-Zombie.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.1%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • Millennium Partners 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Blackstone Group 96.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 95.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.1%
  • Point72 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.2%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.3%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (86) $288
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $192
  • Analysts (240) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (28) $146
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (282) $96
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”