Intuit is often challenging to negotiate with, but it is still possible to secure solid increases. They pay below top of market, which makes it even more important to negotiate to decrease that gap as much as possible.
- Base Salary
- Intuit Equity Package (see Intuit's vesting schedule below)
- Intuit Signing Bonus (not included in all initial Intuit offers)
- Annual Bonus
- Stock Refreshers
Intuit's equity vests evenly over 4-years with quarterly distributions after the 1-year cliff. As for Intuit's sign-on bonus, this is typically just in year 1 but it is sometimes possible to negotiate a second signing bonus that is given one year after joining Intuit.
Intuit's total compensation includes cash bonuses and stock refreshers, both of which are technically performance based. However, the target numbers for cash bonuses at Intuit are almost guaranteed, and it is also possible to get more than expected (think 1.25x, 1.5x, etc.) for strong performance. We've listed some of the bonus targets below:
- Software Engineer 1 – 10%
- Software Engineer 2 – 10%
- Senior Software Engineer – 15%
- Staff Software Engineer - 20%
As for refreshers, they are given out annually and there are target ranges for each level/role that change from year to year. In 2021, the majority of senior SWE refreshers were $45K-$90K and staff SWE refreshers were $70K-$160K, depending on performance rating. These refreshers vest over 4 years similar to the initial grant and they stack, which means you will receive the highest amount of equity in year 4.
Intuit isn't very remote friendly, though there are some remote roles in engineering. Some hiring managers are willing to bend the rules and be more supportive of remote roles and others say it requires VP approval. Like most companies, Intuit does apply a discount to pay based on location.
Intuit provides relocation packages if you are required to move. You shouldn't focus on negotiating this component, other components have more room, but there is sometimes flexibility. You should aim for a $15K+ relocation package (more for senior roles and/or if moving with your family).
Compensation bands are relatively narrow at Intuit across all offer components. Equity will have the most room but that's on a 4-year basis. Signing bonus will have the biggest impact on year 1 comp. It is possible to negotiate base salary but the bands are quite narrow.
Proof of an offer in writing is rarely required when negotiating with Intuit. You are more likely to simply be told that Intuit can't match your competing company's compensation, which requires a different set of strategies. You will often get questions about the competing offer, but again, you shouldn't need anything in writing.
Intuit is not known to go above band.
A strong relationship with your hiring manager is always valuable. They can tip the scales in your favor during a negotiation, but at Intuit HMs have less impact compared to some other companies (e.g. Amazon, Apple).
Intuit's hiring process typically has four stages: initial screen, craft interview (this is unique to Intuit and you will be require to solve a domain specific problem in ~90 min), onsite interview, and offer stage.
Oracle pays better than Intuit. The top of band equity for Software Engineer 2 at Intuit is ~$40k/year and the equivalent level at Oracle (IC3) can clear $100K/year. The base at Oracle can go up to $180k/year, and at Intuit, it is around $155k/year. However, Oracle does not have a performance bonus and at Intuit it is almost guaranteed.
Intuit has pretty good benefits across insurance, financial support (e.g. 401K match), free meals, and other perks. For example, most teams have a half day off every week in the summer. Benefits at Intuit are rarely negotiable and you should focus on negotiating the compensation components we discussed above.
Software Engineer 1
Software Engineer 2
Senior Software Engineer
Staff Software Engineer
Principal/ Architect
Distinguished Principal/ Architect
Engineering Fellow
Equivalent Level at Google
L3
L4
Junior L5
Between L5 and L6
Between L6 and L7
Between L7 and L8
Between L8 and L9
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Intuit
has a unique set of negotiation policies. If you don’t have experience negotiating with them, you risk losing out on large amounts of money because of very small mistakes.
There are many of these rules you need to know to get the highest
Intuit
offer possible