Accenture offers accelerated performance equity awards for Managing Directors starting at age 50, which shows they know how challenging the role is to sustain.
I’ve only worked with a handful of MDs who’ve stayed into their 60s as burnout becomes almost inevitable.
The key is to maximize your Accenture MD compensation so you can reach financial independence and do what you want! The accelerated equity awards help towards this cause.
Who qualifies for the Accenture accelerated equity awards?
The primary qualification for accelerated vesting is for Accenture leaders to be at least 50 when the award grants.
Equity awards grant on January 1st, so qualification is the “Price is Right” model with the closest without going over!
Here are some further clarifications:
- Only applies to Accenture leadership (Managing Directors)
- Awards granted before age 50 aren’t accelerated
- Only applies to equity awards (not MD grant, VEIP grant)
Accelerated Performance Equity Award Chart
Accenture accelerates the annual equity awards pretty quickly, starting at age 50. After just a couple of years, a portion of the equity award vests in one month!
Acceleration continues until age 54 when 2/3rds vest in one month, and age 56+ the entire amount vests in one month.
The one-month acceleration is an excellent kicker for those trying to squeeze out as much money as possible before retirement.
Impacts of the Acceleration
The only downside is that the acceleration increases your income faster than the regular schedule, which will put you in an even higher tax bracket as you prepare for retirement.
It’s also important to point out the equity award is the only grant that accelerates; neither the new MD grant nor the VEIP RSU grant accelerates.
Depending on your situation, the VEIP program isn’t nearly as valuable if you know you’ll leave Accenture before the VEIP RSU would grant in two years.
Remember these rules as you plan your retirement or financial independence to maximize your freedom money.
