Grant Thornton will raise starting salaries for its London graduate program to £40,000 beginning in September 2027. The firm is also adding milestone performance bonuses to expand its market presence. The private equity-backed accounting firm announced this major overhaul to directly challenge larger rivals in the fierce competition for top junior talent across the City.
- Overhauling the Trainee Experience
- Driving Growth After Cinven Investment
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the new starting salary for graduates at Grant Thornton?
- How does Grant Thornton’s pay compare to the Big Four?
- What prompted this salary increase?
- Which departments are included in the new program?
- What additional benefits do trainees receive?
The elevated pay baseline places Grant Thornton significantly ahead of major competitors in the London graduate market. Established Big Four accounting firms currently offer lower entry rates: KPMG pays around £34,500, EY ranges from £30,000 to £36,000, and PwC and Deloitte start candidates between £30,000 and £35,000. Meanwhile, mid-tier competitors like BDO and Mazars offer starting pay 10 percent to 20 percent below Big Four levels.
Under the new structure, Grant Thornton will publish all trainee salaries directly in job listings and implement structured pay bumps for regional graduates and school leavers. The updated program replaces traditional qualification pathways with a direct progression system spanning entry level to partner. Starting on day one, trainees will receive a dedicated partner sponsor, expanded client access, and foreign secondment opportunities.
Overhauling the Trainee Experience
The firm states that the new package includes a first-year salary of £40,000-representing an 18% increase from current levels-plus a £5,000 golden hello paid in two instalments at the start and end of a recruit’s training contract. These changes take effect from September 2027 and cover audit, tax, and advisory divisions.
Abigail Fisher, chief people officer at Grant Thornton UK, stated that the firm wants to stop being seen as a second choice to the Big Four. She noted that the higher starting pay is designed to set a competitive tone for salaries at more senior levels as well.
Our ambition to lead the market on starting pay is a very deliberate signal about who we are and where we’re going, said Abigail Fisher, Chief People Officer at Grant Thornton UK. It tells the very best candidates that we value their potential from day one.
Figures compiled by student website Unifresher confirm that the Big Four typically offer about £30,000 to £36,000 for London graduate roles across their main training schemes, while challenger firm BDO advertises a £33,000 scheme.
Driving Growth After Cinven Investment
The compensation overhaul follows a landmark investment from private equity firm Cinven in 2024. That deal valued Grant Thornton UK at up to £1.5 billion and made it the largest UK professional services business to take external equity investment. This financial backing enables the firm to target hiring 160 additional equity partners by the end of 2027, having already appointed 32 partners this year.
James O’Dowd, founder of recruitment consultancy Patrick Morgan, noted that the pay increase runs against broader market direction. He added that it reflects how little Big Four graduate pay has moved in recent years. While salary matters greatly to graduates, industry analysts continue to debate whether compensation alone can outweigh the legacy brand appeal of the largest firms.
To support its fresh positioning, Grant Thornton has also invested in creative recruitment tactics. These include hiring event space at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium for incoming graduates and utilizing campaign slogans like “Go one better than Four.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new starting salary for graduates at Grant Thornton?
Starting in September 2027, Grant Thornton will pay London graduates a starting salary of £40,000, supplemented by a £5,000 signing bonus.
How does Grant Thornton’s pay compare to the Big Four?
Grant Thornton’s £40,000 baseline outpaces major Big Four competitors. KPMG offers roughly £34,500, EY ranges from £30,000 to £36,000, and PwC and Deloitte typically start candidates between £30,000 and £35,000 in London.
What prompted this salary increase?
The overhaul is funded in part by a 2024 landmark investment from private equity firm Cinven, alongside a strategic push to attract top-tier junior talent and build a stronger long-term partner pipeline.
Which departments are included in the new program?
The redesigned early careers program spans audit, tax, and advisory divisions, providing structured progression pathways across all core service lines.
What additional benefits do trainees receive?
In addition to the base salary and £5,000 bonus, trainees receive a dedicated partner sponsor from day one, expanded client access, foreign secondment opportunities, and a digitally focused curriculum.
