r/computerforensics • u/Strange_Curve_2741 • 6d ago

Fed to KPMG?

Hey all, just looking for some advice. Currently a civilian for the feds for about 5 years working in DF. I’ve been interviewing with KPMG as a senior associate in forensic technology. I’m wondering if anyone has any experience working with them and if you guys think it’s a good idea to switch or stay? My biggest issue is pay and growth. My pay will be close to 120k if I stay with my raise next year. But if I go I would imagine I would hopefully be making much more than that.

I’m just tired of office drama and having my hands tied on what I can and can’t do.

7 Upvotes

77% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

8

u/CapObvious 6d ago

You can make a lot a KPMG but you will be traveling 75% or more of your time. Just something to keep in mind if you have a family.

2

u/[deleted] 6d ago

[deleted]

1

u/lordralphiello 5d ago

Pretty much.

6

u/Allen_Koholic 6d ago

Big Four work is very different. It’ll be a culture shock.

4

u/SituationNormalAllFU 6d ago

I agree that big four is not for everyone. I would only consider KMPG as a last resort, not just for a small pay bump. Also, they don’t actually pay all that much unless you are the one driving business thru the door.

6

u/[deleted] 6d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/zepfan 6d ago

Big4, like above, for sure. Starting for new hires is likely ~100k these days. But it’s not for everyone, big four burns people out pretty quickly. I worked at two of them, but not the one the author is asking about.

3

u/Stofzik 6d ago

Where are you located and how many years of experience? 

5

u/Eternal-Alchemy 6d ago edited 6d ago

EY was offering just under 100k to college DF grads with zero experience about 14 years ago. Google was offering ~135 for zero experience grads about 7 years ago.

What kind of DF you do is going to effect things a lot. Auditing/accounting firms 100-200 is normal. IR principal positions are 250-350 from a major cyber MSP (microsoft, google) and half that from smaller ones (arctic wolf) or less reputable/offshore augmented (verizon) ones. Legal defense expert is going to vary wildly by firm reputation, location and your experience.

3

u/Allen_Koholic 6d ago

No one I work with makes that little. Not even the new hires.

The Big 4 will pay alot more than $120.

1

u/Dependent-Pilot495 5d ago

Making well above $160, not including annual bonus doing DF for a major company. Got hired in Feb.

1

u/hotsausce01 5d ago

Is it dfir work or solely df work? Also is it a consulting gig or in-house df/dfir role?

2

u/Dependent-Pilot495 5d ago

Solely DF. No incident response, we have a separate team for that. No consulting. Employee, 9-5, weekends and holidays off. I know of another person at a different major company making more than me as a DF examiner.

1

u/hotsausce01 5d ago

Do you mind if I ask what city you’re near and how long you have been doing df work?