What you can do (and make) depending on when you leave
One of the main reasons I wanted to pursue a career in accounting and ultimately join a Big 4 is due to the exit opportunities. Big 4 functions as a boot camp and is the best way to pay your dues before going to the next role.
Knowing when to leave is just as important as knowing where to go. The exit opportunities — and the leverage you have — change drastically depending on whether you leave as an associate, senior, or manager.
Here’s the breakdown:
🚪 Leaving as an Associate (1–2 years)
You’ve survived your first busy season and realized that tying out goodwill impairment memos until 1:30 a.m. might not be your life’s purpose.
You’re not super experienced yet, but you’re moldable, hungry, and (most importantly) cheap. Here’s where you can go:
📊 1. Corporate Accounting (GL, Reporting, Staff/Senior)
Salary: $70K–$85K
You’ll jump straight into industry accounting. Think journal entries, month-end close, and supporting audits — except this time you’re on the inside.
✅ Best if you want predictability, an early exit, and stable hours.
🔍 2. Internal Audit / SOX Compliance
Salary: $75K–$90K
If you like audit but want better hours and a seat at the table, internal audit gives you exposure to business ops, risk, and internal controls.
✅ Great stepping stone to finance, controllership, or even strategy.
📈 3. FP&A Analyst
Salary: $80K–$95K
You’ll have to sell your story here — auditors don’t usually go straight to finance, but some startups or growth-stage companies will take a chance.
✅ Best for accounting folks with a strategic mindset and Excel chops.
🎯 Bonus: Niche Roles (If You Network Well)
- Fund Accounting (VC/PE funds): $75K–$90K
- FinOps / RevOps (startups): $80K–$95K
- Staff roles at elite pre-IPO startups with stock: $80K–$100K + equity
🚪 Leaving as a Senior (2–4 years)
You’ve led teams, reviewed workpapers, and maybe even ran your own job. Recruiters love you right now — you’re trained, polished, and not too expensive.
This is the sweet spot for most exits.
💼 1. Senior Accountant / Accounting Manager
Salary: $85K–$120K
You’re a plug-and-play hire for month-end close, reporting, and internal controls. Pre-IPO and high-growth companies will throw in equity.
✅ Safe landing with higher comp and lighter hours.
🔍 2. Senior Internal Auditor / Risk Consultant
Salary: $90K–$120K
With your audit experience, you can lead SOX programs, help with risk frameworks, and even branch into data governance or ESG.
✅ Underrated path to director-level finance roles.
📈 3. Senior FP&A / Strategic Finance Analyst
Salary: $95K–$130K
This jump is easier now. You’re more confident with numbers and business logic. Some roles might want SQL or dashboarding tools (Power BI, Tableau).
✅ Best for people who are done with debits and want to drive business insights.
🔍 4. Transaction Advisory (TS/FDD)
Salary: $100K–$130K base + bonus
If you liked the pressure and client-facing work but want better comp and deals exposure, this is your path.
✅ Pipeline to private equity, corp dev, or CFO if you stay long enough.
🎯 Bonus: Controllers-in-Training
- Assistant Controller (at startups or Series B+ companies): $110K–$140K + equity
- Accounting Manager with path to Controller: $100K–$130K
✅ These roles want people who can build processes — and you’ve seen enough broken ones in audit to know what works.
🚪 Leaving as a Manager (5+ years)
If you’ve made it to manager, you’re elite. You’ve reviewed, coached, led full audits, and dealt with clients under pressure. You’re not just an accountant — you’re a leader.
You can command big money, but the path narrows. Companies want your expertise — but they’ll also expect you to own a function.
💼 1. Controller / Assistant Controller
Salary: $140K–$200K+
With CPA + management experience, you’re ready to own the books. Pre-IPO? You might get equity worth six figures.
✅ If you want to be a CFO one day, this is the move.
📈 2. Finance Director / Strategic Finance Lead
Salary: $150K–$220K
Some CFOs value accounting managers who can flex into finance. If you’ve picked up budgeting, forecasting, or analytics exposure, you’re in the running.
✅ Rare but powerful pivot to get out of audit forever.
🔍 3. Risk, Compliance, or Advisory Director
Salary: $140K–$190K
You can lead internal audit, SOX, or enterprise risk. These roles often report to the CFO or CAO — and you’re viewed as a trusted operator.
✅ This path can lead to VP of Finance, Risk, or Compliance.
🎯 Bonus: Consulting, PE Ops, or Fractional CFO
- Boutique Advisory Firms: $150K–$250K
- PE Portfolio Ops Roles: $180K–$300K
- Fractional CFO or Independent Contractor: Variable — but high upside
✅ You’ll need a network — but if you have it, this is the payoff.
Final Thoughts
Every level in Big 4 opens different doors. The key is knowing your leverage, aligning your next move with your long-term goals, and not getting stuck in “just one more busy season” mode.
Quick Recap:
| Exit Stage | Target Roles | Typical Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Associate | GL, FP&A, Internal Audit | $75K–$90K |
| Senior | TS, Strategic Finance, Senior Accountant | $90K–$130K |
| Manager | Controller, Finance Director, Advisory Lead | $140K–$220K+ |
