From big 4 to making partner at a smaller practice

Hi!

Hypothetically, if one was to start a big 4 firm reaching a position such as senior manager (Audit) and saw that he/she was unlikely to make partner at his firm, could a possible option be moving into a smaller firm and trying again to make partner?

Would the contacts you make at the big 4 be useful at a smaller firm?

Would the audit experience gained from the big 4 be transferable to a top 20-100 firm?

Would making partner take significantly longer if you were to take this root?

How are partners at these smaller firms compensated?

Thanks for the help guys!

Yes - maybe director if you want to go to a smaller "big" firm though
Maybe
Yes
No - the whole point is that it will get you to partner quicker than waiting forever at your Big 4
Depends on size of firm and most of all, profitability. Partners make a significant portion of their money from the profit share.

Thanks for your reply, just for a bit of clarification (If you would):

If the firm you were moving to was a top 10-20; would that constitute a smaller "big" firm? What sort of size would you be able to transfer straight into a partner position?

What is the average starting compensation for a new partner and what would an average partner at these firms make after they've been on the job a few years, would this grow significantly (assuming the firm performs at a consistent level)?

If you were to cross over into a firm such as Baker Tilly/Mazars/Smith and Williamson as a director, how difficult would it be to make partner in comparison to trying to trying to attain such a position at a big 4? How long would it take on average?

You mentioned that this whole path would be to make the ascension to partner quicker than the path you would likely follow at the big 4. How many years could you shave off.

Would I be right in assuming the training and skills you develop at the big 4 could put you at a big advantage compared to those at the same level at the smaller practices, thus giving you a great chance of becoming a partner?

Again, appreciate your time sir, Thank-you!