Received an offer from big 4 for an experienced associate position in their M&A group although was interviewed for the senior associate level. The best base offer they said is 85k. Personally, I feel like the offer is waaaay low but i want to get the group's opinion on this. Is there really that big of a difference in on campus vs experienced hire?? And am I a complete retard for even considering taking this offer?Background:Top 15 MBATop 15 Engineering undergrad 5 years of O&G industry experienced: 4 as engineer, 1 as product manager (where I am exposed to M&A work, mostly operational due diligence)Current salary: 100s

You've been offered a job that pays at least £15k less than your current role and you're asking an Internet forum for advice on whether you should accept it?On a more constructive note, organisation hierarchies across the Big 4 are not exactly consistent, so it's hard to give an exact answer. However, in the Big 4 consulting practice I work in, a Senior Associate is a junior role which would rarely command a salary of over £50k. I realised M&A is slightly different so this yardstick might be limited in its usefulness. Ultimately you've got to consider whether consulting is the right direction for you to go in, and if so, whether staying in your current role for longer would allow you to come in at a higher level where the pay might be more aligned. Personally if I could get £100k in industry I wouldn't even consider consulting.

Why would you even consider this?Consulting is not all that. Granted it pays well, but you are currently paid better. Why take the step back.

yes, salary drop is usually only OK if compensated by shorter hours or working in a better (cheaper) part of the country