I’m an A2A who is due to receive stub bonus end of year for my first six months as associate. Looks like stub will land around 40-50k, which seems low to me. Have good relations with my MDs and have been getting crushed since the associate transition so was curious if anyone has had success in negotiating their stub.
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Based on the most helpful WSO content, negotiating an associate stub bonus is generally challenging, especially as an A2A. Stub bonuses are typically formulaic and prorated based on your base salary and the firm's bonus structure. They are not usually subject to negotiation, as they are predetermined and aligned with the firm's compensation policies.
However, if you have strong relationships with your MDs and can demonstrate exceptional performance or contributions during your transition, it might be worth having a conversation. Keep in mind that success in negotiating a stub bonus is rare, and firms often stick to their structured payout systems. If you decide to approach this, ensure your case is backed by clear evidence of your value and contributions.
Sources: Associate Stub Bonus COVID, Leave 100k+ bonus for Immediate PE Offer?, What Is The Analyst to Associate Promotion Package?, Negotiation for Guaranteed Promotion?
Bump, any precedent for A2As getting higher stubs than MBA? Stub would be lower than prorated An3 bonus for me.
I’ve never seen it happen. I’ve actually never heard first-hand a VP, associate or analyst successfully negotiating their bonus in a material way at all, but I’m sure you could find some people on here who will say they have maybe at a boutique...
The few people I know who have tried to negotiate their bonuses found themselves in a meeting with HR where they showed the inputs and formula that went into their bonus and that was it.
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