PWC vs KPMG NYC Tax Offers
If I have an internship offer from both KPMG and PWC in tax for NYC which should I take? I liked the people and environment much more at KPMG and they also offered to pay me more. KPMG offered around $30 an hr and I know friends who just accepted fulltime offers with a starting salary with a Master's in tax of $72,000+(5k signing bonus). PWC offer was about $27/hr and starting salary was low 60's. I really just didn't like the environment or people at PWC. My only fear is the PWC has a much better client base and KPMG I think is having tough times. Do you think accepting an offer at KPMG is risky? Will there be layoffs or a possible reneg of my offer from KPMG? What should I do?
KPMG Tax Internship vs. PWC Tax Job
Note: This thread took place during the financial crisis.
However, our users shared useful opinions below. Generally speaking, users felt that the pros that the OP listed for KPMG outweigh the potential risk of client stability.
When making decisions between the big 4, our users shared that the most important things to consider are fit and culture as well as pay.
You already answered your own questions - go with KPMG. Worst come to worst, you don't like it after your internship, it would still look good on your resume and you could look at other options.As mentioned on KPMG's website, their internship program has the potential to be Global where interns spend 4-5 weeks in US and then the rest at another country.
You can learn more about KPMG's Tax Program on KPMG's website.
Read more about KPMG on the WSO Company Database.
Read more about PwC on the WSO Company Database.
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I think you've listed several reasons to go with KPMG...so go for it.
Who in their client base are you particularly worried about?
I just have a lot of friends at the Big 4 and they say that KPMG is not doing very well and there might be a shift to the Big 3 with KPMG falling out. Are you saying there is nothing to worry about?
I just accepted an offer at one of the Big 4 with a start date of next fall. Like you, I was concerned about the future of the company and asked around about whether I can expect my offer to be withdrawn in light of the current market. The short answer is that it depends on me. All of the Big 4 are withdrawing their offers to some extent. Generally, to the marginally qualified students (those that maybe didn't interview very well or have a 3.25 when the lowest cutoff is 3.2). If you are a solid or exceptional student that made (or are making) a good impression, then you likely don't have anything to worry about.
I should be fine then. Are there better exit opportunities at PwC since they have a bigger and better client base?
I am somewhat biased since I work at PwC in Assurance. We definately pay less than the other big 4. I've been told and we have deduced that this is because we have the highest revenue and market share, at least in the Philadelphia region. I know a lot of people working at tiny no name firms, as well as the other big 4 who started at a higher salary. I think the partners feel that because they are the largest, they can pay less. I have been told by a few recruiters that at least in this region they generally look to PwC first, as we have the best reputation. Regardless, I don't think it will make a whole lot of difference. If you like the people st KPMG more and they are paying that much more, just take it. Market risk for losing your offer will be similar with all the big 4.
72K to start seems way to high a number for a junior associate even with the Masters. Number should be more like 55~60K...
72k is not a possibility. I can understand that NY may get more than other offices, but not even close to 72k. An undergrad and masters in accounting from Illinois (1st or 2nd best accounting program in the US, depending on what year you look at it) will get $55 in Chicago. Again, it makes sense that NY will be a little higher, but I can't see it as being as high. Plus, what you have to understand is that the masters is not an optional upgrade to most students. They do it because they have to reach the 150 hours to sit for the CPA, a requirement in most groups (some advisory groups don't require that). Still, the jump from $55k to $72k is unreasonable. Deloitte Consulting starts at $70k in NY from what I know, and they always get paid better than Big4. That said, KPMG is more of a fun bunch than PwC. They party more, the atmosphere is chiller, but all in all PwC is a better name on your resume and will have a better client base in almost every big city in the US.
What is the starting pay, signing bonus, bonus(if any)for someone starting at a Big 4 firm? Would it be a little higher for someone with a masters in accounting or not since the CPA now requires the 150 hr?
For Audit in Philly, entry level at PwC is $50k + 2k sign on ( 4k if you interned there) and a 5k bonus if you pass the CPA in the first year. Deloitte Audit pays around 4k more because they are required to travel to NYC on a regular bases and are paid based on a NYC pay scale. KPMG and E&Y are about 2k higher than PwC in my city from what I've heard. Tax generally get 1k to 2k more than audit. A masters will generally get you an additional 1k to 2k. These salaries are for Philadelphia only, keeping in mind that in PA we don't go by the 150 credit rule yet (hence the higher pay for a masters). A lot of people are saying that KPMG is more fun? I doubt very highly that any one firm has an excess of fun people working there while the others only hire boring people. Everyone I met at KPMG was extremely stuffy, I could barely stand it. At PwC, my partner interview consisted of a 45 minute story telling session about some of the partying we did in college.
You already answered your own questions - go with KPMG. Worst come to worst, you don't like it after your internship, it would still look good on your resume and you could look at other options.
As mentioned on KPMG's website, their internship program has the potential to be Global where interns spend 4-5 weeks in US and then the rest at another country.
Ling~
how does e&y compare with pay?
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