The Big4 in Switzerland
- 15,000+ employees cumulated in Switzerland
- Offices: Zurich (HQ), Geneva, Basel, Bern, Lausanne, St. Gallen
- PwC: market leader, 3,500 employees
- KPMG: 2,200 employees
- EY: 3,000 employees
- Deloitte: 2,500 employees
The path
Audit / Assurance:
- Associate (1-2 years)
- Senior associate (2-4 years)
- Manager (4-7 years)
- Senior Manager (7-10 years)
- Director (10-12 years)
- Partner (12+ years)
Average time associate → manager: 4-5 years with performance.
Salaries
- Associate: CHF 75-90K
- Senior associate: CHF 95-115K
- Manager: CHF 130-165K
- Senior Manager: CHF 165-215K
- Director: CHF 210-280K
- Equity Partner: CHF 400-800K + shares
Bonus 10-30% of fixed by level and performance.
Entry conditions
- HEC Master (Lausanne, St. Gallen, Zurich) or equivalent
- CFA or chartered accountant in progress well-viewed
- Fluent English + local language
- Internship in a Big4 or bank: strong preference
- Recruitment: graduate programs (September intake)
Tips to succeed
- Prepare graduate days: 4-5 step process
- Choose your department: audit, tax, advisory, consulting
- Post-entry certifications: ACCA, CPA, Swiss chartered accountant diploma
- See Big4 as a practical MBA: 4-5 years before transition to industry/banking
- Avoid burnout: 50-70h/week during peak season (Jan-May)
