Recently qualified ACA in Restructuring @ boutique (previously big4) looking for exit ops

Hi all, first post on here but hopeful there is someone able to advise!

I am a recently qualified ACA consultant working in boutique restructuring firm (previously big4) looking at potential exit ops.

I’ve had significant experience on trading administrations but limited exposure to advisory work despite nearly 3 years employment. My peers/mentor tell me this was their experience at this firm and I will be staffed on more interesting projects now that I am qualified, but it has been incredibly frustrating as I was sold on the variety of project work.

I now find myself wanting a new challenge but feel somewhat under prepared given my limited project work. My goal would be strategy consulting but feel that my lack of academic pedigree (US non target but full ride academic scholarship so made financial sense at the time) limits me to entry level. This I don’t mind as comp is only £45k+ c5k bonus at current firm (regional office).

My question is: if I remain at current firm I should have more exposure to advisory work over the next 6-12 months and would feel more comfortable applying as experienced hire (where I hope my non target school is less critical), but would I have a better chance applying at entry level?

Thanks

1 Comments
 

Ut aliquid et eligendi cum sequi mollitia aut. Sed consectetur velit fuga qui dolores minima. Voluptas omnis eius ut corrupti sunt ut veritatis.

Voluptatum iusto doloribus sunt totam. Ea autem quia voluptatem quis. Autem qui vel provident et iusto maiores. Molestiae iusto beatae non vero perferendis quia qui est.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 97.9%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.9%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (58) $274
  • Vice President (53) $247
  • Engagement Manager (113) $232
  • Manager (170) $173
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (116) $135
  • Senior Consultant (354) $132
  • Consultant (642) $122
  • 1st Year Associate (577) $121
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (164) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (390) $104
  • Associate Consultant (176) $101
  • 1st Year Analyst (1163) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (208) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (632) $68
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”