I'm have just moved upto Senior Consultant grade at Cap but have been offered D grade at KPMG ("working at top-end"). Does this feel right?

Yes, it feels about right -- 'D' grade at KPMG is just before manager. You'll be running small engagements on your own or managing parts of larger engagements.

Thanks - this was helpful. D grade is just 1 up from their E (graduate) grade and so seemed like a step down but from what you describe it is pretty much what a SC at Cap would be expected to do. Pay/Benefits should also alot better.

KPMG Grades:A = PartnerB = Director / Senior ManagerC = ManagerD = Senior ConsultantE = Consultant / AnalystTypically, on the Audit side of the firm, you would be an E grade until you qualified, after which you'd be promoted to D grade. Generally speaking, each grade also has (unofficial) years attached (E1/E2/E3 etc) which dictate your charge-out rate, but there's no fixed length of time you have to stay in a particular grade before being promoted.

P = PartnerA = DirectorB = Snr ManagerC = ManagerD = Senior ConsultantE = AnalystTypically 2 years as analyst before promotion to D grade depending on performance. Pay is not fantastic tho.

Apologies - it's been a while since I last worked at KPMG. At that time, director & senior manager were in the same grade, and a partner was an 'A' grade.

... what are the Cap staff grades / levels then?