Deloitte, one of the prestigious Big Four accounting and professional services firms, has deferred start dates for new MBA hires joining the company’s consulting division until 2024. 

The firm informed most new recruits their start dates would be pushed until February 2024, while some will join as late as spring. Initial start dates were scheduled to be in July and August.

A top MBA employer with more than 100,000 workers worldwide, Deloitte ranked as the most desirable consulting firm for prospective business school students earlier this year. The annual Vault ranking of the best consulting firms to work for listed the firm among the top 10 globally. 

Deloitte has assured new hires their offers will not be rescinded, however start dates could be further delayed in future, according to a Poets & Quants report. 

Delays at Deloitte follow similar moves from other top firms in the industry. Earlier this year, Big Three consulting firm, Bain & Company, offered 2023 hires up to $40,000 to defer their start dates until April 2024. 

Recruits at the firm were offered $20,000 to spend their deferred time on an African safari or learning to become a yoga instructor. Learning a new language could pay $30,000, while those who chose to work for a nonprofit could earn $40,000. 

So far, the report indicates that deferred recruits at Deloitte—who typically earn consulting salaries well above $100,000—have been offered between $3,800 and $12,000.