PwC Management Consulting to break into Strategy and Operations at MBB
Hey Everyone,
I currently work in audit senior (fourth year at the firm) at a Big 4 Accounting firm in New York and I really want to break into strategy and operations at an MBB. I recently got an offer to work at PwC Management Consulting Financial Services in New York as a Senior Associate. I was wondering if you guys think this is a good stepping stone into a future in strategy or will continuing to network be a better idea?
Thanks
Its definitely the right trajectory, although going to a more prestigious or S&O focused shop like LEK, ATK, Monitor Deloitte, EY-Parthenon or Strategy& at PwC would be your best bet.
Regardless, you highest chance of going MBB is usually through an MBA only because most MBB (with the exception of McKinsey to my knowledge) are very adamant about grooming their own consultants and to maintain culture. As a result, they only take a few lateral/experienced hires. Since McKinsey is much bigger than the other 2 Bs, I'd imagine they are a bit more laxed but that just my perception of them. I know a few people who joined both Bain and BCG, and all told me that when they joined, they only hired like 10-20-ish experienced people the whole year nationally. The rest were sourced from UG and MBA's.
With that said, its definitely worth a shot, and going consulting at PwC will still improve your chances than staying in audit. just be weary that PwC (as is all the other Big 4 consulting shops) do pretty much anything and everything and call it "consulting" so you can get staffed on some shitty projects that won't help your case.
Also honestly speaking, not sure how realistic it would be from Big 4 audit to one of tier 2 consulting firms. Going into the broader Big 4 advisory/consulting arms is your best bet. To be fair, your comp will be much better in consulting than than in audit though so thats a +
Thanks Hugo, I really appreciate the insight. I totally understand that getting into an MBB from PwC Consulting would still be really difficult, but what im getting from your post, jumping into something like Strategy& or Monitor Deloitte might still be realistic?
Im just really afraid that the longer I stay in audit, the more and more I get branded as an accountant. My initial thoughts is that at the very least, PwC Management Consulting would remove that branding (at least in theory)
That is correct. Going into PwC MC would give you the management consulting branding. Once you are in MC, kick ass on your projects and start building your network. Network with folks in Strategy& and try to get staffed onto one of their projects and again kick ass. This way you build your case for transitioning there. If you don't get into MBB but get into Strategy&, it's still a very respected strategy shop.
Over and above, no one has seen the future. So in those 20-30sh experienced hires, you could be the one. Never discount the possibility.
Lateral move from MC to Strategy& is actually harder than you think. PwC Strategy just merged into Strategy& as of june and they are not taking anyone from PwC anymore -at least for a while . You best bet would be tier 2 strategy firms like LEK, OW. ATK, but in your situation, I'd suggest that you stick around in MC before considering strategy. You won't even get a strategy interview before building some solid project experience in MC.
There will be another large move from MC to Strategy& again in January 2016.
In my country (major European economy) PwC's S&O merged completely into Strategy&, and now the recruitment process is consolidated, but still independent from PwC. Currently the future plans are actually more leaned towards go hire outside than to transfer people from MC.
Exactly Holybanker. The lateral hire from MC to Strategy& is frozen at the moment and there are no plans to re-open it in January 2016. Not that I know of.
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