<p>can anyone tell me how it works if you work in say the chicago office of a big 4 for a number of years and decide that you want to relocate to boston? like lets say you made it to partner after all your time in the chicago office, would you be a partner at the boston office, or would you have to take a lower position and a pay cut to relocate even within the same company? thanks</p>
<p>Switching to another office within the same country usually does not affect your title. If you were to switch to an office outside the US, you normally drop a level (i.e. from Manager to Senior), but that's not always the case.</p>
<p>Once you are partner, you can't be "demoted" to staff. You are a part owner in the company, not an employee. Additionally, when you make partner, you may be required to relocate to another office if there are not any openings at your office.</p>
<p>Transfers normally do not result in a pay cut--sometimes they do result in a pay increase.</p>
<p>Ryanbis notes,"Once you are partner, you can't be "demoted" to staff"</p>
<p>Response: Yes, this is true,but who says that they must keep the partner. If they don't like the partner for a variety of reasons, they can force them out with a buyout of their interest. There is no "guaranteed" employment at an accounting firm even for partners.</p>
<p>I wouldn't spend a lot of time thinking about when you make partner as the odds are great that you will never last that long. After a few years you will either be ready for a change or you'll be shown the door.</p>
<p>Yes definitely be prepared to leave in 3-5 years. It's fine when you are in your early twenties.</p>