Big 4 Transaction Services

I'm a financial services auditor at a Big 4 accounting firm thinking about making a move into transaction services. Does anyone know salary ranges for that group and how good of a position that would put me in to move into banking/finance/PE in the future? I'm debating if I'm better off just focusing on moving up in the audit practice because I know that is something that is pretty much certain if I continue to do well and stick around long enough. However, I am more interested in finance and the earning potential that comes with it.

Qualifications:

CPA B.S. Business Admin/ Master's in Accounting (good regional schools, non-targets) CFA Candidate

I am aware finance from the start would have been easier and non-targets are not the way to go. For my situation, these are just the way things worked out.

Thanks.

14 Comments
 

My buddy has a pretty similar profile to you - he started in audit and then moved to TAS. He is a senior manager making I think 80k. He has been interviewing with PEs for last two years with no luck.

 

Bullshit man. No way in hell a senior manager is only pulling 80k. At least 150 base. I'm two levels below that (senior consultant) and my base is 100.

-MBP
 

That seems more like a senior's salary more than a senior mgrs and that's for audit.... so I'm assuming TAS might be at least on par with audit if not more. Thanks for the feedback though.

I buy expensive suits. They just look cheap on me.
 
brassmonkeeBig 4 TS will not get you any decent front-office PE job. And I'm speaking from first-hand experience. TS pays better and has better perks than audit though. It is a a much higher margin business.

What are the bonuses like for seniors/managers in TS?

I buy expensive suits. They just look cheap on me.
 
IUHoosier08I started in TS - for the hours it's not worth it. If you want to move into banking/finance/PE, I would focus on moving into banking. I'm sure it's easier for you to move into TS (staying within the firm), but that won't get you much better exit opportunities, and they'll pay you peanuts compared to banking.

If the choice was staying in audit until manager or transferring to TAS as senior and either leaving or moving up within the firm, which one would you say is a better route in terms of exit ops and pay? I'd rather stay in the firm for at least 5-6 years before making a move. Right now I'm in my second. Did you stay or leave? Thanks for the feedback.

I buy expensive suits. They just look cheap on me.
 
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